Ancestry ending Web Search on FTM 16 and prior

[Carol Bird]

I am very fond of my FTM 2006, particularly for the family view and navigation, but also for the extensive Web Search results it produces, which have often thrown up people and facts I would not otherwise have found through an ordinary search on Ancestry. I do have FTM 2011 but really only for the included subscription.

I am therefore sad to have received the following message when web searching through FTM:

Attention: As of July 31, 2014 the online functionality (including web search) in Family Tree Maker versions 16 and prior will no longer be available. Other functionality, such as tree building, chart & report generation, etc will remain active. To upgrade to the latest version of Family Tree Maker etc…..

Carol :(

[Elaine ..Spain]

I know quite a few people still using FTM 16 - that's going to be a disappointment for them!

[WendyPusey]

I like FTM 2006 because of the online search. Not very happy about that!!!

[grumpy]

Another result of commercialism over practicality.

[Richard in Perth]

In Ancestry's defence - they can't be expected to continue to support older versions of a software forever. Technology moves on, and web based technology in particular is very different to how it was 10 years ago when FTM2006 was written.

Why not upgrade to a more recent version of FTM? Sure, there will be a little bit of a learning curve at first but you will find many new features and improvements compared with the old versions. You can actually purchase a new copy of Family Tree Maker 2014 which includes 6 months membership to Ancestry Worldwide for £64, which is cheaper than the cost of the equivalent subscription alone! If you already have a sub, you can add the six months onto your existing sub:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/FAMILY-TREE-MAKER-2014-WORLD-6-MONTHS-PREMIUM-MEMBERSHIP-ANCESTRY-FREE-DVD-/161327000979?pt=UK_Computing_Software_Software_SR&hash=item258fd6ad93&_uhb=1

[WendyPusey]

I have already got FTM2014 but I don't like it, so prefer to use FTM 2006.

[GallowayLass]

FTM 2006 was one of the best ever versions of the programme and millions across the world, me included, still use it so why shouldn't they write appropriate web search software for it? I keep my tree very firmly offline and I have never actually used that facility so it won't affect me at all but I would be mightily dischuffed if I did. FMP used the web technology reason for their recent massive changes and look at the pig's ear they made of that.