The Master Genealogist is a major genealogy software program. It is very complicated to use and it is expensive. If you are a beginning to average user of genealogy software, don't bother with this one. You'll spend more time trying to figure out what you are doing instead of getting to the information you need. That said, it is a powerful software program. There are so many ways to sort, merge and display your data with this program. If you have extremely large databases or if you are doing single surname research this is the program you have to get.

Available from http://www.whollygenes.com/ this all out software program for the professional is probably the best for the professional genealogist. You can try it free for 30 days. This is great if you are unsure about making a major investment into software. Wholly Genes makes an add-on software for other genealogy programs called Family Tree Super Tools. This tool set is included in The Master Genealogist already. These tools are for other software programs. It includes powerful search, management and reporting tools. Charting options are also included. Overall, this is a great program for advanced and professional genealogists.

For a more specific genealogy program you may want to look into DoroTree. This software, originally designed for Jewish research, now has many features that make it suitable for any genealogist. However, many of the features still pertain to the unique situations faced by those researching their Jewish roots. This software has is the virtual Hebrew keyboard. You can type Hebrew characters on the fly. There are places to add Hebrew and Yiddish names, Hebrew to Gregorian date conversions and visa versa, just to name a few other features. There are special boxes to mark Holocaust victims. Also included is the ability to search Jewish Genealogy websites for information about your family. The latest version includes the ability to fill out Pages of Testimony and send them electronically to Yad Vashem in Israel. To find out more about DoroTree visit http://www.dorotree.com/features.html .

There are other options for genealogist to create a family tree. Both Genealogy.com and Ancestry offer online ways to build and share your family tree. Keep in mind however, that Genealogy.com collects the family tree information you enter and then creates CDs for sale using that information. The only way you can access your family trees in either Ancestry.com or Genealogy.com is to have a subscription to their service. If you let your subscription expire, you will lose access to your information. However, both offer ways to search all of their records through their family tree software. It is convenient and easy to find information on your ancestors this way. Other software can do the same thing for you and keep your data off-line in case you don't want to spend upwards of $200 a year for subscriptions to either Ancestry or Genealogy.com.

Sharing your data has never been easier. All major software programs allow for the sharing of gedcom files. Many offer the ability to create slide shows and web pages. Legacy offers you the ability to output your data to PDF files in addition to regular text. For those software programs that need a boost in the graphics department there are many add-ons that can do this for you.

A great way to share your family information is with a scrapbook. The traditional scrapbook with just newspaper clippings and photos is a thing of the past. Scrapbooking is a hobby unto itself. There are so many ways to create scrapbook pages of your family tree that it can make your head spin. A good way to start is with a small album. Find photos, information, newspaper clippings, and other items. You can even put jewelry and fabric scraps into books these days. Be sure to use acid free items as this will preserve your book for generations to come. Never use original photos or documents. Always make copies of these. Keep your originals in archival safe storage and use the copies to circulate amongst friends and family members. Not feeling very creative? You can take your photos to the local scrapbook store and ask them to help you select things to create pages with. Many offer free or inexpensive classes. There is even a home party plan for scrapbooking. Instead of Tupperware, it's scrapbook items. It's a great way to learn how to get pages set up and looking good.

The first thing to do when compiling a family history scrapbook is to have a family tree. This can be a simple chart printed from your genealogy software or it can be elaborate. This should be your first page. This way anyone viewing your scrapbook will know exactly who they are looking at. Then assemble your photos, documents, mementos, and anything you would like to see in the scrapbook. If you have fabric swatches from old quilts or wedding gowns you can scan them in at a high resolution and use them as papers for your book. Or you can seal the swatches in an acid free envelope and include them into your book as well. Check out the local craft store and find a book and page ideas that you like. Then, put it all together. Keep in mind when designing pages that you want some kind of similarity from page to page. Keep the borders or some of the design elements the same or similar. This way it flows and is easy to look at. Many people like to work on keeping families together, other do a timeline format. This is a very creative process so do what works for you. Everyone will have a different set of items to include, that's what makes these things unique. There are many good magazines and books available to help you design a wonderful family scrapbook. There are even TV shows on cable and satellite TV. It may be worth you while to look at some of these for ideas on designing your own book. This is particularly true if you have never done this before. Be sure to use copies of old photos and original documents. Keep the originals safe. Store them in an acid free box that is designed for archival storage of photos and papers. Keep newspaper clippings away from everything else. Old newspaper is very acidic and can destroy other paper items. Always use acid free paper and page protectors. Then have fun and create something original.

If you want to create a CD or DVD to share with friends and family you will need software that can help you do this. For simple tasks, like creating a picture slideshow, most basic genealogy programs already have this feature. Check your software to see what it can do. Then you need to be sure that your computer system can burn a CD or DVD. In addition, you will have to purchase writeable CDs or DVDs. Now if you are looking to create something more elaborate you will need software to do this. Some really good suggestions were listed above. Following the directions in the software, include your pictures, stories, documents, and other files like sound and compile an amazing disc to share with friends and family. They make great birthday and holiday gifts, especially for grandparents who live far away.

Genealogy is fun. If you stay organized and don't get frustrated when things get tough, you will have a rewarding hobby which can turn into a full or part time profession.