Software MacKiev Anmeldelser 

this is the 2nd or even maybe 3rd time I've had computer problems and had to get a replacement version of Family Tree Maker. Every time it has been easy as pie! I've had the product for 10+ years and been very pleased with it and the support they offer. Glad to have it back up and running smoothly again!

As a result of my Windows 10 pc's recent meltdown I've had to switch to my partially set up Windows 11 pc which can't load my v8 copy of Family Tree Maker. I e-mailed MacKiev specifically asking them if I could download the software rather than have the bother and time delay of ordering from other organisations that were for the most part flagged as possible scams sites. The response said it was and gave me instructions on how to go about things. As I went through the ordering process it implied that there would be something to do directly on the internet and something else sent through the mail. Luckily when I got to the payment screen my details were refused several times even though they were entered correctly. I then e-mailed them again explaining that my details were rejected without giving me a clue why and asking why the price originally quoted had been increased by £5 for an additional cd and asking what was on that cd. To date, no reply has been received.

Family Tree Maker and Ancestry
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My response to Ancestry's reply:
A curious response from Ancestry to approach McKiev to ensure this doesn't happen again. It won't happen again to me as I will not ever again sync. I'd imagine these two companies have some form of contract/agreement to allow syncing and any issues that arise. My FTM is more or less fixed or in the process of being fixed. My Ancestry tree data will no longer be fixed by me. Ancestry doesn't make it easy to do so and in any event I'm removing myself from that product. The end result is that there are hundreds of defective data points in My Ancestry not of my doing...which in the order of things will be offered up to other subscribed Ancestry Customers, as hints going forward.
I'll leave you, Ancestry, to deal with McKiev to fix your data as I won't be.
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It's hard to work out which product is at the root of this review so both products will receive the same worded review:-

Family Tree Maker (FTM) and Ancestry are connected, in that syncing of data to and from Ancestry and FTM is a feature. It relies on you having a paid up subscription to Ancestry it seems.
At the outset I've now cancelled my subscription to Ancestry but will persevere with FTM as a standalone database as I'm at the stage of finessing my data only. On that, I've often wondered how useful some Ancestry data is. It relies on other individuals standards and its plain to see, when some so called genealogists aim for quantity rather than quality. I know of numerous trees that exceed ridiculously high numbers above 10 to 25000 names many aiming for a Duke, Lord, Royalty, Clan Chief at the head. Truth is most of us don't go back that far, in actual real records.
Point of this review is to warn others not to hope that syncing is failsafe. If my recent experience is anything to go by, avoid it at all costs, is my advice.
In hindsight, I foolishly I ran the sync tool in FTM. It took and unearthly length of time (which was a clue but no way to abort it without turning the computer off) and at the (the so called successful with no error messages) end, the carnage it created in both environments was soul destroying. My Ancestry Tree now has many individuals displaying the "~blank f i" label and in FTM missing connections (although most data is still stored but no longer linked to the actual tree. Not the easiest to reinstate!
I ended up with 500+ duplicated individuals (some more the twice) that I had to merge labouriously over about 3 plus hours. Plus then there are now all the duplicate media (pictures) now attached to many individuals. I dare not try and fix.
I could restore using a previous backup (I save to backup several times a day) but from experience that doesn't always make things better and work is required fixing stuff ..been there done that.
So, many years of careful research muddled up substantially through no fault of mine. Reading some other reviews this is not an unknown issue and possibly something to do with server failures at one end or other.

Please treat this as an advisory from someone who is no stranger to genealogy or IT.

My FTW, latest edition, will not sync with Ancestry. I've tried all recommended fixes. None worked. Over that past 6 months I've sent multiple reports to FTM. Not a single response from any of them. Support in the past has been better than it has been in the past 2 years.

Appreciate technical 'fixes' but.... 2024 with upgrade still does not address some of the features that were in 2019. Dislike 2024 and am still using 2019.

Used FTM for many years, had FTM 2017 and it suddenly stopped connecting to ancestry, I did not have an active ancestry at the time, but was suppose to have access to me tree, which I did, but only if I logged into ancestry directly. FTM knew of the problem, but there was no fix. FTM 2019 had the same problem, but there was a fix for FTM 2019. I re-upped my ancestry and was cut and pasting to FTM. UGH!!! So I bit the bullet and bought FTM 2024. Same problem! FTM 2024 won't link to ancestry. With several chat sessions, they had my upgrade some of my drivers, with no difference. Then wanted me reinstall EDGE back onto my computer. This is a HARD no way. It was hard to get rid of that control freak program and keep it from being reinstalled with micosoft updates. What company designs their applications to only fit one browser - that's insane to me. I was then told I could use a Mac. Uh, yea, I'll just go buy a Mac so I can maybe use your software. I'm really disappointed, the new FTM 2024 isn't much different for FTM 2017. I'll probably be cancelling my ancestry subscription, without the upload and download un-usable, I don't want to cut and paste for much longer.

I have recently been having trouble syncing my tree with FTM 2019 so I contacted their support team. They suggested upgrading to FTM 2024. This I have done and after the odd teething problem all things are now working well. Thanks initially to Pauline and also to Daniel. They were both a great help.

I ordered and tried to download the 2024 FTM. It never started to download and I can't find my info where I tried to order. I'd like to cancel for now!

Longtime Family Tree software user. Recently purchased new 2024 upgrade for about $65. Program stopped be able to connect to Anccestry.com for search results. Told I have to pay $200 to have compatible software drivers installed on my computer. NEW UPGRADE IS JUST A SCAM TO SELL YOU SUPPORT. Don't fall for the new upgrade.

Like many people, have been wondering what has happened to FTM 2024 that I paid for over a year ago. Well, if you live in Australia then you will have had it for several weeks - my sister had her link for the upgrade sent 11 May!! Thinking we would get ours shortly i waited... and waited. This morning decided to go for an on-line chat, basically asking where is my FTM 2024 - I was sent a link straight away! Tried to continue by asking what on earth was going on and they cut me off. Seems to me they've forgotten their UK customers. Have made a comment via the "are you satisfied" tab but not holding my breath.

There's no point in adding to the negative feedback about the delays in FTM 2024 and the disaster that's been. My experience is that I received yet another blanket email “ LAST DAY TODAY - FTM 2024 Upgrade Sale”. Whilst annoying, I noticed that all of the features are listed, and there is a caveat that the Resource Centre is "coming soon in a free update". Seems that everything else is there as it should be.

The Albumwalk app is not available in the apple app store, and there is nothing in the promotional material to suggest that it is not available. I feel this is selling misrepresentation.

Mackiev were only able to advise "James (12:27:57): Currently, the Albumwalk mobile app is not been released. We expecting the release of this app in the nearest time." "James (12:38:42): I understand your frustration. We assume that the AlbumWalk app release is our next priority after the release of FTM 2024. However, before releasing, we need to be sure that the app is fully functional, secured and comfortable for usage."

Based on FTM 2024, I assume this isn't going to be any time soon. Why on EARTH would you sell products which are far from ready?

I think the senior people at the company need to take accountability for this debacle.

Like many others, I pre-ordered FTM 2024 in Feb 2024. I'm well aware of the delays and constant promises for delivery but I'm really annoyed with recent emails. These emails are personalised with my name offering me a discount if I order within so many days when I already have a paid-for order on their system. What are their marketing department playing at?

Another unhappy user. I prepaid for the 2024 ver. Keep getting no answers. from Feb 2025 ...."The good news is that FTM 2024 is in its final stages and will be released very soon".
Several days after review, the link appeared in my email. Have loaded and installed but have not done anything with it. So I’m happy to have the update, hope it lives up to expectations.

Very sad that Family Tree Maker has chosen to "blackout" its customers. They made me an offer February 2024 to purchase the new update to the Family Tree Maker program. Their promise was to produce a new updated version by years end. Now they do not even talk with us. A sad end to a program that I have used for 15 years.

Goodness knows what is going on. As all the other reviews regarding the 2024 version, it all seems to be talk from Familytreemaker. FTM take our money a year ago and we are still waiting for it.
YOU HAVE CERTAINLY LET THE GREAT NAME OF 'ftm' DOWN, Big Time.

I will preface this by saying that if a ZERO star or NEGATIVE star rating could be given, MacKiev would have gotten it! I pre-ordered MacKiev's Family Tree Maker 2024 last year and was told it would be released by the end of 2024...never happened. Then they said it would be released "soon". Never happened. Then they announced they were just finishing it up and it would soon be available...Never happened! I contacted them in February and was told they would be making a "big announcement" about it that week...never happened. After, all reference to Family Tree Maker 2024 has been removed from their website. Today i contacted them and again tey claim they are doing some final work on it, but i could request a refund and then pay full price when I do want it! Well, it appears that MacKiev is doing a great job of alienating its loyal customers, avoiding the truth on the REAL status of their 2024 version, and (from what others are saying here) avoiding issuing refunds. I think a Class Action Lawsuit may be in order because it seems they are using OUR pre-order money to fund the actual development of the 2024 version, which likely has not even started.

Dear Family Tree Maker Team,
I appreciate the update and all the work that’s going into FTM 2024. As someone who has been using Family Tree Maker since 2014, I’ve been a loyal supporter of the product and was excited to pre-order the upgrade over a year ago in February 2024.

However, this delay is becoming increasingly frustrating—not just for me, but for many other longtime users who planned their genealogy research around the new release. Many of us also took out 12-month subscriptions to services like Ancestry, Newspapers.com, and FTM-related extras to maximize the new features, spending upwards of $500 AUD based on the expectation that FTM 2024 would be delivered within a reasonable timeframe. Now, many of those subscriptions are expiring, and we still don’t have access to the product we paid for.

I completely understand that software development takes time, and I appreciate your commitment to delivering a polished product. That said, under Australian Consumer Law (ACL), businesses are required to supply goods within a reasonable timeframe. Taking payment for a product without providing clear communication or a firm delivery date may fall under misleading sales practices, which is why I’m reaching out for more transparency.

I would appreciate:

A firm and realistic release date—not just another “almost ready” message.

A goodwill gesture in recognition of the prolonged delay. Given the impact on customers who pre-ordered early, a discount, an extended support period, a subscription credit, or an additional feature would be a fair way to acknowledge the inconvenience.

I genuinely want to continue supporting FTM, but I also believe that after waiting for over a year—especially after investing in subscriptions to complement the new release—customers like me deserve clear communication and fair treatment. If I don’t receive a firm response within 14 days, I may need to consider lodging a complaint with the ACCC or other relevant consumer protection agencies to explore my rights regarding refunds or compensation.
Laura
11:59
Hi, I see you are already in a chat with my co worker, let me let him know you are over here now.
Quinn
11:59
Welcome back again, one moment while I read your message

12:00

Quinn
12:05
FTM 2024 still does not have a set release date currently, and I'm also not allowed to give time frames that have not been publicly announced just yet, I'm afraid. I certainly understand the lack of a specific time frame is frustrating, and we can certainly cancel and refund the pre-orders at any time before the new edition is released, if you like. I'll pass your feedback along, as well.

These people are playing with us and our money !!! More than 12 months since we pre-paid 2024 edition and no news at all !!!

Prepaid for FTW2024 in February 2024 as many others and agree with the comments already posted. No communication at all from the company. They are based in Boston and as the Ukraine war didn’t start last February it’s a bit of a lame excuse. I feel that my money was obtained fraudulently as they must have known about the issues. I regard my prepayment as lost money now. Terrible company!

Here is my chat transcript:

Chat on familytreemakersupport.us
Conversation started on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at 14:56 (GMT+0)
[14:56] Customer Service: Welcome To Customer Service Team. If you need help with your Software, Please chat with our Customer Service.
[15:00] Tammy: Name : Tammy
Email :
Phone :
Question : I just bought a new computer - installed my FTM2019 software - backed up my FTM 2019 from my old computer -put it on the desktop of new computer - did a restore from that file. everything looked good but the person notes did not transfer. The person research notes did. Is there anyway to transfer the person notes?
[15:00] Bob Walter has joined the conversation
[15:01] Bob Walter: Please let me have the OS on both old and new pc?
[15:02] Tammy: Old PC was Windows 10 and new pc is Windows 11
[15:02] Bob Walter: Alright, did you transfer and setup FTM19 yourself on the new pc?
[15:03] Tammy: yes, I used the link from the email
[15:04] Bob Walter: All FTM files needs to be updated for new win11 by a FTM tech as you migrated from win10 to win11 and your files and not compatible for the new machine.
[15:05] Bob Walter: This process will take about an hour to complete and there will be a 1 time FTM service fee to do it and then you will see the person notes as well on your FTM19.
[15:06] Bob Walter: Would you like to get it done?
[15:06] Tammy: what is the fee?
[15:06] Bob Walter: $150
[15:06] Tammy: Are you nuts
[15:06] Bob Walter: Why?
[15:06] Bob Walter: Are you serious about your genealogy?
[15:07] Tammy: Because that is an outrageous amount for something that should work or you have a glitch in your software that you want people to pay for your mistakes
[15:07] Bob Walter: Your FTM files need a format update.
[15:07] Bob Walter: And this is the only way to go about it.
[15:08] Tammy: yes i am serious - I have worked on geneaology for over 30 years and have used
[15:08] Tammy: f
[15:08] Bob Walter: I'm here to inform you about the technical details you do not know about.
[15:08] Tammy: family tree maker for all that time. May be time to use roots magic instead
[15:09] Bob Walter: Sure, please go ahead, your files will still not support Roots magic on win11.
[15:09] Bob Walter: Is there any thing else you'd like to inquire about and not follow the correct instructions?
[15:10] Tammy: I have never had a chat person so rude. Transfer me to your supervisor
[15:10] Bob Walter: Let's see who the rude one here, did I call you nuts?
[15:10] Bob Walter: Please do not waste our time.
[15:11] Tammy: I bought your software and it does not work. This will be posted on social media
[15:11] Bob Walter: You bought the program so you can be rude to others and name them whatever you like?
[15:12] Bob Walter: Go ahead and get off our chat.

PS I have found my own solution. For anyone that has this problem if you click on web link and then back to person notes your note will appear.