And Aitor begat...

[pbray]

Does anyone have any recommendations for software to build a family tree, preferably something free or shareware?

When I was making my notes this morning, I realized that I need to codify the family trees for the WiP as much of the plot hinges on various pretenders to the throne. So far my hand-drawn attempts are only adding confusion rather than clarification.

Any thoughts? I know other writers must wrestle with this, especially when working with epic fantasies.

ETA: Acquired the special edition of Family Tree Maker for only $9.99 at Staples this afternoon. It has what I need, and I won't bother setting up the internet search features since it's highly unlikely that the denizens of my imaginary fantasy empires have access to the internet and have already gone ahead and posted their own family trees. Though it would be useful if they had, it would also be a tad disturbing. I prefer that the voices in my head stay in my head.

Comments

[fancythat2.livejournal.com]

Family Tree Maker. It's not free but it is easy to use.
http://www.genealogy.com/soft_ftm_long.html?priority=5110231

I have a large family dynasty in my current project too. The hand diagrammed family tree was messy and confusing.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the recommendation, I'll have to check it out.

[kateelliott.livejournal.com]

I use the software program called pen, paper, and brain. Of course, it's a mess to figure out afterward.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

I have a complete inability to draw even straight lines, and the drawing skills of a decapitated chicken. Took me three tries to figure out that I was drawing the tree upside down and it would be easier if I started with the central character and traced her lineage back rather than penciling in her grandparents first and then wondering why there was never enough room to fit everything in as I elaborated the generations.

[kateelliott.livejournal.com]

in that case, a program might be a good idea! or a book of some kind

[pbray.livejournal.com]

It's good to know your limitations :-)

[quietselkie.livejournal.com]

What about something like MS Paint, where you can paste in shapes and draw lines? Different shapes for different families? Or some other flow-charting tool, like Visio.

Family Tree Maker or another Genealogy program

[romsfuulynn.livejournal.com]

If you want relationships and family trees you want a genealogy program. Period. It will do a zillion things that you may not realize you want until you do them. Drawing or a database would be reinventing the wheel and it would be a hexagonal one or worse. (IMAO).

Family Tree Maker is the most widely used program and may be worth the money. On the other hand, you may be able to get by with this free program PAF the LDS website has

http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Home/Welcome/pafDownload.asp

Re: Family Tree Maker or another Genealogy program

[pbray.livejournal.com]

That makes two votes so far for Family Tree Maker, as you and fancythat2 have both recommended it.

I took a look and it seems to be what I need. The basic edition isn't that expensive, and as long as I only use it for my writing projects, it's tax-deductible :-)

[pbray.livejournal.com]

I think MS paint or Freelance or Powerpoint would have nearly the same problems as I do with drawing-- the boxes and circles would be easier to make, but I would still have to keep moving things around.

I did briefly consider a table based program, like Excel, but that didn't seem quite right either.

[quietselkie.livejournal.com]

You could maybe use Excel's pivot table function to make a graphical representation. Oy. *head hurts*

My spouse recently used MS Project to create a flowchart (like a giant GANTT for a system he's working on). It looked to me like it was a horribly onerous thing, LOL, but it's another option.

You could always go the low-tech route if Family Tree doesn't work out. I quilt from time to time, and I have a "design wall" -- a flannel sheet that I just leave up on a long pole in the basement. Cloth sticks to it just great, and I'm able to move the squares around without pinning. You could use felt scraps with your characters' names on them, and yarn for your lines and linkages, and move things around as much as you like. Of course, it takes up a lot of room, but yours might fit on a pillowcase... :-)

[pbray.livejournal.com]

The quilt sounds like a really neat idea. Unfortunately I have very limited space, so I'll probably stick with a software solution, where I can simply file the printout in my story notes folder.