familysearch.org offers a free program for genealogy down loadable from the link below.

If you have done much researching you are probably aware that they have the largest repository of names in the universe. They also have hundreds of libraries scattered around the world where you can visit and use their services. They offer computer, microfilm and microfiche but as the libraries are busy places it is necessary/adviseable to book times. Once underway and you aware of your name searches you can order specific films from Salt Lake City for a modest fee and that will be available at your local library for a specific duration of time. The library use is free, however donations are welcomed. I used to drop $2 in the jar and was told that was excessive. Film and computer in the library are free but there is a fee for booking films from Salt Lake.

There is a wealth of information at the link below. Yes, they are the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, Mormons.

Here is a link that might be useful: familysearch.org

I take it that you use this program? I have an old program that has been discontinued. Everytime I upgrade to a new computer or have to restore one, which I have done a few times, I never know if I'm going to be able to transfer my information. I have hard copy, but with so much information it is a little disorganized. I need something to be able to perserve what I have. Appreciate your info.

Casi, I used Family Tree Maker from Broderbund. It suited my purpose at the time. Not sure that you can simply copy over all your data with a few mouse clicks sadly.

However the upside of using the Familysearch program is that they are not going to disappear any time soon so there is little fear of becoming outdated. I never used it but did download a few times - in case I plucked up the courage to start the transfer of all the data. Moving the names and stuff did not seem daunting but adding all the notes as well made it a serious proposition.

Much of my data was stored on XL where I could add any variables I needed. My family is from the UK so I sorted the names as I found them in the 1850,1860,1870, 1880 and 1890 census. Plus there were columns for church records and birth, marriage and death columns.

I enjoyed it for over 3 years but got side tracked easily trying to understand the way of life back then, plus through family contacts my photo album of the departed grew steadily and I spent a lot of time repairing damaged photos.

I also use Family Tree Maker and like it. If your older program will export your data as a GEDCOM file most other genealogy programs will import a GEDCOM file. Family Tree Maker does. Another possibility is Legacy which will import and export GEDCOM files. The standard version is free to download but they will keep trying to induce to upgrade to the professional version. You can check it out at Legacy.com.

On an Amazon community someone recommended Legacy. My old program is Family Ties which was discontinued. It does use the gedcom file system; I just am not sure how to use it. I wasn't supposed to able to transfer my information but somehow???? I have always been able to move it from computer to computer. I'm just not very good with gedcom. My experience with the Latter Day Saints web site is I found some very not true information there. I haven't been there now for a long time. Is there anyone monitoring what is put there? I'll have to check it out. I could still use that site to store my information?

I don't know anything about Family Ties but if it will export (or save as) a gedcom file and you decide to give Legacy a try Just open Legacy and click 'File' > 'Import' > 'GEDCOM' and navigate to the file. I have exchanged files between Legacy and FTM that way and it works very well.