MacFamilyTree 11.3.4 — macOS

The hourglass chart is where I usually start. It lays out ancestors and descendants in a clean, readable column, and it’s one of the many views MacFamilyTree 11 offers to make family history less about data entry and more about seeing the connections.

Check if it runs on your Mac

MacFamilyTree 11 needs macOS 12 Monterey or later, and it works on both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs. If you’re still on an older system, you’ll need to update before installing.

What you get to work with

Besides the hourglass, you get pedigree, timeline, fan, relationship, and genogram charts, plus a virtual 3D family tree view. You can also generate statistical maps and name distributions. Export charts and reports in several formats, and hide people or records you don’t want in the output.

Keeping data in sync

Store your tree locally or in iCloud, and use CloudTree Sync & Share for real-time collaboration. GEDCOM import and export covers moving data between apps, and you can search FamilySearch records directly. The interface is available in 17 languages, so most users will find a comfortable fit.

First things to do after installing

Once you have MacFamilyTree 11 up and running, spend a few minutes setting up your data file the way you want it. If you plan to sync between devices, sign into iCloud from inside the app and enable CloudTree Sync before you start entering people. That way, every change you make is mirrored to your other Macs and MobileFamilyTree on an iPad or iPhone.

Import any GEDCOM file you have from another program early on. Check the imported data for garbled names or dates, especially if the file came from an older genealogy tool. The app handles standard GEDCOM well, but quirks in nonstandard files sometimes need a little cleanup. After import, try a pedigree chart and an hourglass chart to confirm the data looks right.

Set a password on the website feature if you share the tree online through MacFamilyTree.com. You control who sees what, and you can also hide specific people entirely from export. That is handy if you want to include living relatives without publishing their details.

Imports and exports GEDCOM from other software

One common question is whether MacFamilyTree works with data from other family history software. It imports and exports GEDCOM, which is the standard exchange format for genealogy. Files from Family Tree Maker, Legacy Family Tree, and similar programs come in without much trouble. You will lose some software-specific formatting, but the core relationships and dates transfer fine.

Another question is about syncing between Macs. Yes, that works through iCloud. You need an iCloud account, and each Mac must be running MacFamilyTree 11 with CloudTree Sync turned on. Changes show up on the other device quickly, so you can work on different machines without manually moving files.

People also ask if they can research inside the app without opening a browser. MacFamilyTree 11 includes a search function for FamilySearch genealogy records, so you can look up records and add them directly to your tree. That saves time compared to jumping between a browser and the app.

Missing relationships after a GEDCOM import

Some users find that a GEDCOM import seems to succeed but leaves relationships missing. This usually happens when the source file used a different relationship model than MacFamilyTree expects. Open the file in a text editor and check for unusual tags before re-importing. It is often faster to fix a few tags than to rebuild the tree manually.

Another snag: the app seems to launch but the main window stays blank or shows an error about a missing database. The safest fix is to locate your family file in Finder, copy it to the desktop as a backup, then open it from inside MacFamilyTree using File > Open rather than double-clicking the file. That bypasses any default application association issues.

If CloudTree Sync stops updating, check that your iCloud account is signed in on all devices and that the Macs are on the same network or have internet access. A simple sign-out and sign-in usually wakes it up. Make sure you are running the same version of MacFamilyTree on each machine, because older versions may not sync correctly.

Comparison with other genealogy apps

Compared to Gramps, an open-source alternative, MacFamilyTree 11 has a more polished interface and a smaller learning curve for people who just want to build a tree and generate charts. Gramps offers stronger data management for large, complex databases and runs on more platforms, but its interface looks dated on macOS and it lacks iCloud syncing out of the box. MacFamilyTree is also the only one with a native 3D family tree view and direct FamilySearch integration.

Against Family Tree Maker, which has a long Windows history but only recently returned to the Mac, MacFamilyTree feels more native to macOS. Family Tree Maker runs in emulation on Apple Silicon, while MacFamilyTree is optimized for both Intel and ARM Macs. The syncing and collaboration features in MacFamilyTree are simpler to set up, especially if you already use iCloud.

Another option is the venerable Legacy Family Tree, which also offers a Mac version. It has a loyal user base and strong reporting, but its interface is less intuitive than MacFamilyTree, and it does not include a virtual globe or 3D view. For someone new to genealogy software, MacFamilyTree 11’s combination of charts, syncing, and online search is a practical starting point.

• Stability improvements in version 11.3.2.

• macOS 12 Monterey or later
• Intel or Apple Silicon
• iCloud account required for syncing between devices