Just downloaded and installed PAW2 .. have ??'s

[calgecko]

I saw the write up in Macworld magazine, and figured "what the heck".. so I downloaded and installed the program and reference folder into my Applications directory on my Macbook running OS-X. So I entered my name, my parents names, their parents names.. but I don't know what to do in the application to get it to retrieve their information (from wherever it gets it from) regarding their birthdates, birth locations, their parents names, etc.. how do I get it to do this?

[Howard Metcalfe]

calgecko said:

I saw the write up in Macworld magazine, and figured "what the heck".. so I downloaded and installed the program and reference folder into my Applications directory on my Macbook running OS-X. So I entered my name, my parents names, their parents names.. but I don't know what to do in the application to get it to retrieve their information (from wherever it gets it from) regarding their birthdates, birth locations, their parents names, etc.. how do I get it to do this?

I'm not sure what you did. I guess you created a new data file, clicked on the unknown current person, entered your name, birth date and place, etc., and clicked on enter. Then you would have yourself in the file.

Then I guess you clicked on Add Parents, double-clicked on the man field, entered your father's name, birth date and place, etc., clicked on enter, did the same for your mother in the woman field, etc. Then clicked on enter in this family window. Now you have yourself and your parents on file.

Then you can click on any of these people to see what you entered. Is this what you did? Did you now want to print this information?

Did you read the Reference guide topic Basic Navigation?

As I said, I'm not sure what your question is. Maybe you can clarify this.

(PAWriter is a lot like the old Mac PAF program. If you ever used that, the actions in PAWriter are similar.)

[calgecko]

This is the first time I've ever used any kind of geneology program.. I didn't use the previous version you mentioned.
Yes, I created a new data file, clicked on the unknown current person, entered my info, then did the same for my parents (with as much info as I know)... but I don't know how to use the program to retrieve more info about them and their parents, and their parents, etc.. I don't know much about my family history, and that's what I'm hoping to find out by using this program. Thanks for any help. I did look through the basic navigation topic, but it didn't really explain (or at least I couldn't find it) how to use the program to find information about my family members.

[Howard Metcalfe]

Ok, now I understand your question. The answer is that PAWriter does not do the genealogical research for you. It enables you to record the research that you do and then can generate a variety of reports showing the results of this research.

My best recommendation for your research is what most people do. First ask all of your relatives for information. Check for birth, marriage and death certificates. Look in their attics if possible. Maybe somebody else in your family has done some research that will give you a start.

With a start on your family and with your computer, you can join Ancestry.com and start looking for more information about your great grandparents, etc. There's a learning curve there but well worth it.

Genealogy is a sub-discipline of History, a field of serious and sometimes intense personal research. No free lunch here, just a lot of work, mostly fun though.

I don't know of any genealogy program that will do your research for you. Some will link to Ancestry.com and other sites and maybe point you in the right direction, providing you have enough info already entered. But that only goes so far. The other 99% is up to you to find.

So if you decide to continue, you might find genealogy a lot of fun and even obsessive. Please give the forum your thoughts on this.

Best regards,
Howard

[calgecko]

Got it... bummer. Thanks though.

[glenidol]

Cyndi's List is a good place to start - a vast site.
www.cyndislist.com/

[glenidol]

Cyndi's List is a good place to start - a vast site.
www.cyndislist.com/