Update on Legacy 7.5’s release (new FamilySearch tools) and a sneak peek

Geoff Rasmussen

13 Oct 2009

By now, you've probably read about the next great update to Legacy – version 7.5. If not, we've written about it here, here, here, here, and here. This article will explain what version 7.5 will add to Legacy 7.0 and give guidance on how to best prepare for the update.

What's coming in Legacy 7.5

For years, FamilySearch has worked on developing a web application for researchers to be able to interact with a very large, unified database of connected genealogical information. This new system is being released in phases – first for members of the LDS church while it is tested and perfected, and then to the public.

Legacy version 7.5 will add new tools to help researchers collaborate, backup, and optionally synchronize their Legacy family files with the data in the FamilySearch databases. These new tools should encourage better research collaboration and prevent research and ordinance duplication.

What will Legacy 7.5 cost?

Nothing. Legacy 7.5 will be a free update to Legacy 7.0. When it is available, all you will need to do is download and install the update as you usually install Legacy updates. The new FamilySearch integration tools will be available as part of both the Standard (free) and Deluxe editions of Legacy.

Who should download Legacy 7.5?

Everyone. Although the only "new" addition in 7.5 will be the New FamilySearch integration tools, we will still correct bugs and add new features as we usually do with our normal updates. However, gaining access to the new FamilySearch databases requires an account. Currently, registering for a new account is restricted to members of the LDS church.

When will Legacy 7.5 be released?

As we've previously announced, 7.5 is still on track to be released before the end of the year. We've made great progress and have completed the software certification requirements for Access certification. We're putting the final touches on the next phase of software certification right now. Stay tuned here for the official release announcements.

How to prepare for Legacy 7.5

Even if 7.5 were released today, nobody should begin using the new FamilySearch integration tools without first performing some clean-up and standardization techniques in their Legacy family file. We will begin to publish these suggestions in upcoming Legacy News articles.

The Sneak Peek

Click on the image below for a sneak peek of one of the FamilySearch integration screens.

Yeah, I know. Sorry for the blurred-out sections. Stay tuned….

Comments (27)

Ilene, I should have been clearer in speaking to access to the new LDS. You are right. I can only work (when available to non-members) on my own submissions. Not on anyone else’s.
Thank you for pointing that out.
Barb Y.

Why can’t you just concentrate on the basic original purpose of Legacy? You need to spend your time and money improving the basic reports. If I want to search records I will do it direct on the site. I do not like my genealogy software cluttered up with junk information. If someone doesn’t know how to search for records, they need to take a genealogy research class or read a how-to book. Doesn’t sound like this “new feature” is of any benefit to anyone, especially non-mormons.

Check out some of the beta projects for Familysearch at http://labs.familysearch.org
The Familysearch Alpha and Record Search projects are the most useful.

The merging and searching a big step forward from the the old family search. If you don’t have access to the newfamily search I might recommend that you find someone who does have access and take a peak. I have found numerous connections I would not have found otherwise using the search and merge capacity. I have claimed all my submissions and now can edit them. The changes that I make only change on newfamilysearch not in any of the databases they were originally submitted to. The quicker everyone has access to this new system members and nonmembers the better it will be.

Everyone can search http://www.Familysearch.org whether members or not. As the New Family Search is being tested…it is not yet offered to the General Public and is rolling out in phases to make sure the system doesn’t crash.
As testers use the software and respond back with user friendliness of the program…changes have been made to make it run better.
Until it goes “Live” to the General Public “Worldwide” (takes time) you can go to the regular site (Listed above). You may also go to a Family Search Center and have the personnel there help you.
Meanwhile, members of the communities are being trained on the new system so they can in turn teach others. I’m sure at some point…it will be possible to contact someone in your community that can help you access the system.
Thank You for being patient…It’s a long process.

Mike, the New Family Search system shows all submissions and how they were submitted (via Ancestral File, Extraction, etc.) If the source person approves to have their contact info shown…you may be able to contact them via email or regular mail.
Everyone can see what is available using the regular system at http://www.FamilySearch.org
This allows you to see what records are available….It is best to follow the source ref all the way back to the listed Microfiche, microfilms, etc. That is where you find first hand documentation of the recorded event. Please note however, some records may have a corrected version (ie Birth Certificate Correction). Also, keep in mind that some records were kept in both Bride and Grooms localities/parishes…..On Census records, because they were related to Taxes, sometimes people didn’t divulge everything! They went by the date the census taker went to the houses. They listed who was there at the time. That could include/exclude household members, anyone visiting, lodging, working for, etc. Some Census records were approximated to nearest 5 yr interval (age 8 might show as age 10). You need to read the descriptions at the first, the date taken etc.
Also keep in mind that people didn’t know how to spell, names changed, places changed. What was listed back then could actually have been correct, but then boundaries, names, states have changed and so now it would look as though the records were incorrect. The best thing I’ve found is using Atlases and my favorite is Animap which helps you verify cities, counties, according to years.
Please remember that the information that the LDS Church has is what has been given/donated them or by special projects digitizing the original documents (ie, Scottish Parish (Church) Records which were done by the Presiding Church Authorities).
I hope you will find better success using the LDS Churches archives in the future.

Keith – yes, we will be sure to provide the ability to cite the source.

Mike – yes, it will work with Windows 7.

Valerie – yes and yes.

I have always listed LDS as a secondary source, since most of its information has no documentation! Will the 7.5 allow me to continue this practice? I know from my own research that many, many of the information pieces submitted by members of LDS are contradicted by the primary sources.

Will the new 7.5 (out of the box) when released work with Windows 7? If not what is going to be required?

To Barb Yeoman: Once you are given access to NFS, you will want to claim your submission, which is identified by a code. Make sure you have some way for others to contact you such as an email address. Once your claim has been approved, you will be able to edit or delete your individual records that are in error. However, you will not be allowed to edit what others have submitted for those same individuals. It is hoped that we will collaborate with others to correct, document, and extend the records for these individuals. The 3rd party affiliates such as Legacy make this much easier and efficient to complete.

Will the update allow a search of the IGI for submitted ordinances from Legacy?
Currently, do we have to manually search the new.familysearch.org site?

Roger, Legacy 7.0 can currently search other websites via the Internet button, or you can add your own custom websites to have Legacy search. 7.5 will provide tools for collaborating with FamilySearch. I, too, like the ideas of offering similar tools for other major websites.

Ron – the new FamilySearch data currently can only be searched by members of the LDS church while everything is being tested. Once opened to the general public, everyone can use Legacy to access it, or even access it without Legacy. Legacy will be providing additional tools to enhance the experience.

WIll the new feature also allow for searching other genealogy sites (Ancestry.com, etc.)?

Please clarify something for me. As a non Mormon, I am unable to access the database to do searches. Your comment makes it certain that Legacy is not nearly as valuable to non-members of the LDS. How then do I search records using legacy 7.5 or version 7 for that matter

I had requested an old file I had submitted to Family Search be deleted and was told once the new family search was opened to members other than LDS members I would be able to go in and correct and/or delete that old file and to make updates to the newer file.

While the free update of search tools is a definite enhancement to Legacy 7.0, I do hope that the developers keep an eye on improving or at least maintaining the speed and efficiency of the core product. As the product has grown through several versions of improvements, I have seen a noticeable sacrifice of program load time and processing speed introduced with some functions through the years.

This will be great when available for us non LDS members. Right now though, it is not relevant unless you are a church member. Maybe I am the minority here? 🙂 I would also like to see integration, or a way to pull in information, with other internet services like ancestry.com, Find A Grave, Foot Note, etc. Thank you.

Non LDS researchers will have access to NFS but will not have access to certain parts of it that are only of interest to LDS members; just like the old Family Search operated.

Can we also get integration with Ancestry.com?

Lora asked, “Will non LDS members ever have access to an account or the New Family Search?” Geoff answered, “absolutely.” According to my understanding, Geoff’s answer is not correctly stated. Non-members will never have access to this version of nFS. Lora’s access is not dependent on testing or anything else Legacy will do, but rather on the LDS Church creating a new, public version of the nFS database. My understanding is that that release date is very uncertain at this point. Also, it is not clear whether or when non-members will be able to add or update records. It is likely that read-only access will be more likely. Tim’s comment is a viable option, however!

Wow – the best genealogy program (Legacy) just keeps on improving with new features at no additional cost

This will be very cool! I’m tempted to become a Mormon now so I can try it out 😛 haha.

Lora – absolutely. Once all of the initial testing is completed. I don’t know when this will be though.

Will non LDS members ever have access to an account or the New Family Search?

BY
Barb Y.

15 years ago

Ilene, I should have been clearer in speaking to access to the new LDS. You are right. I can only work (when available to non-members) on my own submissions. Not on anyone else’s.
Thank you for pointing that out.
Barb Y.
S
Shari

15 years ago

Why can’t you just concentrate on the basic original purpose of Legacy? You need to spend your time and money improving the basic reports. If I want to search records I will do it direct on the site. I do not like my genealogy software cluttered up with junk information. If someone doesn’t know how to search for records, they need to take a genealogy research class or read a how-to book. Doesn’t sound like this “new feature” is of any benefit to anyone, especially non-mormons.
JH
James H.

15 years ago

Check out some of the beta projects for Familysearch at http://labs.familysearch.org
The Familysearch Alpha and Record Search projects are the most useful.
DJ
Don Jaggi

15 years ago

The merging and searching a big step forward from the the old family search. If you don’t have access to the newfamily search I might recommend that you find someone who does have access and take a peak. I have found numerous connections I would not have found otherwise using the search and merge capacity. I have claimed all my submissions and now can edit them. The changes that I make only change on newfamilysearch not in any of the databases they were originally submitted to. The quicker everyone has access to this new system members and nonmembers the better it will be.
C
Cheryl

15 years ago

Everyone can search http://www.Familysearch.org whether members or not. As the New Family Search is being tested…it is not yet offered to the General Public and is rolling out in phases to make sure the system doesn’t crash.
As testers use the software and respond back with user friendliness of the program…changes have been made to make it run better.
Until it goes “Live” to the General Public “Worldwide” (takes time) you can go to the regular site (Listed above). You may also go to a Family Search Center and have the personnel there help you.
Meanwhile, members of the communities are being trained on the new system so they can in turn teach others. I’m sure at some point…it will be possible to contact someone in your community that can help you access the system.
Thank You for being patient…It’s a long process.
C
Cheryl

15 years ago

Mike, the New Family Search system shows all submissions and how they were submitted (via Ancestral File, Extraction, etc.) If the source person approves to have their contact info shown…you may be able to contact them via email or regular mail.
Everyone can see what is available using the regular system at http://www.FamilySearch.org
This allows you to see what records are available….It is best to follow the source ref all the way back to the listed Microfiche, microfilms, etc. That is where you find first hand documentation of the recorded event. Please note however, some records may have a corrected version (ie Birth Certificate Correction). Also, keep in mind that some records were kept in both Bride and Grooms localities/parishes…..On Census records, because they were related to Taxes, sometimes people didn’t divulge everything! They went by the date the census taker went to the houses. They listed who was there at the time. That could include/exclude household members, anyone visiting, lodging, working for, etc. Some Census records were approximated to nearest 5 yr interval (age 8 might show as age 10). You need to read the descriptions at the first, the date taken etc.
Also keep in mind that people didn’t know how to spell, names changed, places changed. What was listed back then could actually have been correct, but then boundaries, names, states have changed and so now it would look as though the records were incorrect. The best thing I’ve found is using Atlases and my favorite is Animap which helps you verify cities, counties, according to years.
Please remember that the information that the LDS Church has is what has been given/donated them or by special projects digitizing the original documents (ie, Scottish Parish (Church) Records which were done by the Presiding Church Authorities).
I hope you will find better success using the LDS Churches archives in the future.
GR
Geoff Rasmussen

15 years ago

Keith – yes, we will be sure to provide the ability to cite the source.
GR
Geoff Rasmussen

15 years ago

Mike – yes, it will work with Windows 7.
GR
Geoff Rasmussen

15 years ago

Valerie – yes and yes.
KA
Keith A.

15 years ago

I have always listed LDS as a secondary source, since most of its information has no documentation! Will the 7.5 allow me to continue this practice? I know from my own research that many, many of the information pieces submitted by members of LDS are contradicted by the primary sources.
MB
Mike Blewett

15 years ago

Will the new 7.5 (out of the box) when released work with Windows 7? If not what is going to be required?
EH
Eileen H. Lentz

15 years ago

To Barb Yeoman: Once you are given access to NFS, you will want to claim your submission, which is identified by a code. Make sure you have some way for others to contact you such as an email address. Once your claim has been approved, you will be able to edit or delete your individual records that are in error. However, you will not be allowed to edit what others have submitted for those same individuals. It is hoped that we will collaborate with others to correct, document, and extend the records for these individuals. The 3rd party affiliates such as Legacy make this much easier and efficient to complete.
V
Valerie

15 years ago

Will the update allow a search of the IGI for submitted ordinances from Legacy?
Currently, do we have to manually search the new.familysearch.org site?
GR
Geoff Rasmussen

15 years ago

Roger, Legacy 7.0 can currently search other websites via the Internet button, or you can add your own custom websites to have Legacy search. 7.5 will provide tools for collaborating with FamilySearch. I, too, like the ideas of offering similar tools for other major websites.
GR
Geoff Rasmussen

15 years ago

Ron – the new FamilySearch data currently can only be searched by members of the LDS church while everything is being tested. Once opened to the general public, everyone can use Legacy to access it, or even access it without Legacy. Legacy will be providing additional tools to enhance the experience.
RN
Roger Navarre

15 years ago

WIll the new feature also allow for searching other genealogy sites (Ancestry.com, etc.)?
R
Ron

15 years ago

Please clarify something for me. As a non Mormon, I am unable to access the database to do searches. Your comment makes it certain that Legacy is not nearly as valuable to non-members of the LDS. How then do I search records using legacy 7.5 or version 7 for that matter
BY
Barb Yeoman

15 years ago

I had requested an old file I had submitted to Family Search be deleted and was told once the new family search was opened to members other than LDS members I would be able to go in and correct and/or delete that old file and to make updates to the newer file.
RK
Ron K.

15 years ago

While the free update of search tools is a definite enhancement to Legacy 7.0, I do hope that the developers keep an eye on improving or at least maintaining the speed and efficiency of the core product. As the product has grown through several versions of improvements, I have seen a noticeable sacrifice of program load time and processing speed introduced with some functions through the years.
J
Joe

15 years ago

This will be great when available for us non LDS members. Right now though, it is not relevant unless you are a church member. Maybe I am the minority here? 🙂 I would also like to see integration, or a way to pull in information, with other internet services like ancestry.com, Find A Grave, Foot Note, etc. Thank you.
KM
Kathy Meyer

15 years ago

Non LDS researchers will have access to NFS but will not have access to certain parts of it that are only of interest to LDS members; just like the old Family Search operated.
T
Teecee

15 years ago

Can we also get integration with Ancestry.com?
KM
Kurt Matthia

15 years ago

Lora asked, “Will non LDS members ever have access to an account or the New Family Search?” Geoff answered, “absolutely.” According to my understanding, Geoff’s answer is not correctly stated. Non-members will never have access to this version of nFS. Lora’s access is not dependent on testing or anything else Legacy will do, but rather on the LDS Church creating a new, public version of the nFS database. My understanding is that that release date is very uncertain at this point. Also, it is not clear whether or when non-members will be able to add or update records. It is likely that read-only access will be more likely. Tim’s comment is a viable option, however!
PM
Peter Moore

15 years ago

Wow – the best genealogy program (Legacy) just keeps on improving with new features at no additional cost
T
Tim

15 years ago

This will be very cool! I’m tempted to become a Mormon now so I can try it out 😛 haha.
GR
Geoff Rasmussen

15 years ago

Lora – absolutely. Once all of the initial testing is completed. I don’t know when this will be though.
LR
Lora Rose

15 years ago

Will non LDS members ever have access to an account or the New Family Search?