downloading information from familysearch
I just spent about 10 minutes going from screen to screen to screen trying to find this screen. So my first suggestion is to make familysearch easier to use for those not really computer literate!!!
My next STRONG suggestion -- we should be able to download the information we have put on familysearch. Many of us like a backup copy. I shouldn't have to buy another program to download my own information.
Comments
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Anna
Welcome to the "Community.FamilySearch" Forum.
I am just another 'lowly' User/Patron ...
Just in passing ...
Great suggested enhancement ...
But ...
That Said ...
Certainly NOT new ...
Please be, aware; and, advised ...
MANY Years ago ...
We USED, to have the ABILITY, to "Download", OUR "Ancestral" Lines, from "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch'.
Unfortunately ...
That ABILITY, was "Removed", some Years ago; as, when we did such, it "Slowed" the WHOLE "System" DOWN to a "Crawl".
I once tried ...
After, about 6 to 8 Hours; and, some 200,000 individuals; and, relationships (or, it could have been x10 times that - I just cannot remember), the "Download", just FELL OVER; DIED; FAILED ...
NOTHING, NO File, was created ...
And, I believe such, "Slowed" the WHOLE "System" down, to a "Crawl" ...
Hence, I also believe, that my attempted "Download", was actually KILLED, by the "Programmers" ...
So ...
That Said ...
With ALL of us ...
Having the ABILITY, to "Download", OUR "Ancestral" Lines, from "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch' ...
Such, WOULD definitely place, an unnecessary BURDEN (ie. Strain) on the "System" ...
Basically ...
As, we do not have our OWN "Tree", in the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch'.
Because, the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch', is NOT like 'On-Line' "Websites" (eg. "Ancestry_com"; or "MyHeritage_com"; or, the like); and/or, 'standalone' personal (computer) programmes (eg, the OLD, now no longer supported, "PAF"; or, "Ancestral Quest"; or, the like).
As, we ONLY have "Branches" (ie. Ancestral" lines), that are interconnected, in this SINGLE "One" World "Tree", for all of us, that is the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch'.
Great, in THEORY ... but, that said, ... NOT so good, in PRACTICE ...
When it comes, to "Downloading", one's "Ancestral" Lines, from the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch'.
Again, great suggested enhancement; which, is FREQUENTLY requested ...
Just my thoughts.
I hope, that this may provide you with, some additional, insight; and, perspective.
As an aside ...
That is exactly why, many Users/Patrons, ALSO maintain their own PRIVATE "Database(s)" (ie. Copies) of their "Ancestral" Lines , on 'On-Line' "Websites" (eg. "Ancestry_com"; or "MyHeritage_com"; or, the like); and/or, 'standalone' personal (computer) programmes (eg, the OLD, now no longer supported, "PAF"; or, "Ancestral Quest"; or, the like).
You may, want to consider, using one (or, MORE), of the "Third Party" Applications, that is (are) "Certified", to work, with "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch', that can be found in the "Solutions Gallery", of 'FamilySearch':
https://partners.familysearch.org/solutionsgallery/s/
ie.
Family Tree Management
https://partners.familysearch.org/solutionsgallery/s/list?category=family_tree_management
A number of those "Third Party" Applications, that is (are) "Certified", to work, with the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch' ARE, in fact, "Family Tree Management" Programmes, that CAN "Download", ones Ancestors, from the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch'.
Certainly, worth considering, if you have not already.
Good Luck.
I hope, that this may help/assist, somewhat.
Brett
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@annaruthtaylor1 When you say you want to download your tree, it would have to be in the form of a GEDCOM as that is the way FamilySearch created for all the genealogy database programs to communicate with eachother. You can't just download a GEDCOM and stick it in a word processor and get a usable result. You need to upload the GEDCOM into another genealogy program that can read it and reconstruct the data into a useable database. So, yes, you will need to use an stand-alone genealogy database program like RootsMagic, Legacy, Ancestral Quest, etc. The nice thing is you can use a simplified version of each of those programs for free. So you can try them out and find out which one you like before purchasing one. Really the price is quite realistic - about $39 for any of them.
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