2025–2026 Sessions: SEP 16 - NOV 18 - JAN 20 - MAR 17 - MAY 19
Everyone is welcome
at the FTM Interest Group
Who benefits most?
Family Tree Maker 2019 and 2024users will find this group especially helpful. Curious beginners and seasoned users are equally welcome—members andnon‑members alike.
What's Included?
A relaxed ZOOM session starting at 6:00 PM (doors open at 5:45 PM).
Guided discussion using the built‑in FTM Companion Guide (found in your software Help section). It’s a free PDF—no extra purchase required.
A friendly space to share your favorite FTM tips & tricks. We’ll learn from each other, and many tips will also be posted online.
Using the FTM Companion Guide
The group will use the FTM Companion Guide as a study guide. No additional purchase is necessary to access it. Here's how to find it:
Open the Help menu in Family Tree Maker.
Choose FTM Companion Guide to open the PDF in your browser.
Bookmark it or download a copy so it's always handy.
Meet Sue! Your FTM Host
Sue has been using FTM since the version 3 was released by Brøderbund in 1996.
As a power user of FTM, she is excited to explore the new 2024 version and to learn about the new features along with everyone in the group.
An experienced ZOOM host, she has facilitated many ZOOM meetings.
Sue is a past member of our Leadership Council and has been researching her family and her husband's family for 35+ years.
NOTE: You can join the group anytime orjustattend when you can.
Handy FTM Tips & Tricks
Know some FTM tricks? Write them down and share them with the group! We'll learn from you! We're planning to post many of the tips here.
Let's build a great Tip List together!
1. Use Color Coding for Clarity Assign colors to individuals or family lines to quickly see patterns and clusters in your tree.
2. Sync with Ancestry or FamilySearch Keep your online trees and your desktop file in sync — you’ll have the latest updates wherever you work.
3. Take Advantage of the “Places” Tab The interactive map helps spot migration paths and errors (like impossible birthplaces).
4. Use the “Manage Facts” Feature Customize your fact list to add, remove, or rename facts so your tree matches your research style.
5. Create Smart Stories Automatically With just a few clicks, turn your tree data into a narrative story you can edit and share with family.
