This Special Interest Group (SIG) is dedicated to helping members make the most of Family Tree Maker 2019 and 2024. Using the official FTM Companion Guide as our roadmap, we explore every feature of the program in detail.
The guide includes 14 chapters, and we cover each one through a five-month cycle—then start again from the beginning. Curious about what’s coming up? Visit the Event Calendar to see which chapter we’ll be discussing next. Questions and participation are always encouraged!
Session 1 – September 16, 2025
Chapter 12 – Working with Trees
Chapter 13 – Tools and Preferences
Session 2 – October 21, 2025
Chapter 1 – Setting Up Family Tree Maker
Appendix A – Differences Between Synced Trees
Chapter 2 – Family Tree Maker Basics
Session 3– November 18, 2025
Chapter 3 – Creating a Tree
Chapter 4 – Entering Family Information
Session 4 – January 20, 2026
Chapter 5 – Documenting Your Research
Session 5 – February 17, 2026
Chapter 6 – Adding Media to Your Tree
Session 6 – March 17, 2026
Chapter 7 – Mapping Your Family Tree
Chapter 8 – Researching Your Family History
Session 7 – April 21, 2026
Chapter 9 – Creating Family Tree Charts
Chapter 10 – Running Reports
Session 8 – May 19, 2026
Chapter 11 – Creating Books and Smart Stories
Chapter 15 – TreeVault Cloud Services
Appendix B – Family Tree Maker Connect App
Family Tree Maker Tool Bar Details.
Chapter 1 – Installing Family Tree Maker
Chapter 2 – Family Tree Maker Basics
Chapter 3 – Creating a Tree
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Chapter 4 – Entering Family Information
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Chapter 5 – Documenting your Research (Sources Tab) – Jan. 2025
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Chapter 5 – Documenting your Research (Sources Tab) – Jan. 2024
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Chapter 6 – Including Media Items – Feb. 2025
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Chapter 6 – Including Media Items – Feb. 2024
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Chapter 7 – Using Maps (Places Tab)
Chapter 8 – Researching Your Tree Online (Web Search Tab)
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Chapter 9 – Creating Family Tree Charts (Publish Tab)
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Chapter 10 – Running Reports
Chapter 11 – Creating a Family History Book (Uses FTM Charts and Reports)
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Chapter 12 – Working with Trees
Chapter 13 – Using TreeVault
Chapter 14 – Tools and Preferences
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