Does Family Tree Maker support multiple languages? Many genealogy enthusiasts ask this when building family trees across cultures. Family Tree Maker (FTM), developed by Software MacKiev, is a popular tool for organizing ancestry data. While its core interface is in English, it handles multilingual elements in specific ways. Let’s dive into the details.
Current Language Support in Family Tree Maker
FTM’s user interface is primarily available in English. According to the official FAQ, the company is reviewing options for localized editions but hasn’t released versions in other languages yet. This means menus, buttons, and help resources appear in English, which suits most users but may challenge non-native speakers.
However, FTM excels at managing data in multiple languages. You can enter names, places, and notes in various scripts, including non-Latin alphabets like Cyrillic or Hebrew. The software uses Unicode, ensuring proper display and storage of international characters. For example, if your family history spans Europe and Asia, you can input details in German, Spanish, or Chinese without issues.
Multilingual Features Through Add-Ons
One standout aspect is the Family Book Creator plug-in, which integrates with FTM. This tool lets you generate books in several languages, such as Danish, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, and Spanish. It translates structural elements like chapter titles while keeping your entered data intact. This is ideal for sharing trees with relatives abroad.
Syncing with Ancestry.com also aids multilingual work. Ancestry supports multiple site languages, and FTM’s FamilySync feature transfers data seamlessly. Though FTM itself isn’t localized, this integration broadens accessibility.
Limitations and Workarounds
Despite these strengths, FTM lacks full interface translations. Past lite editions, like FTM World Express in German from 2013, existed but aren’t current. If you need a fully multilingual program, alternatives like MyHeritage’s Family Tree Builder offer over 40 languages.
For workarounds, use FTM’s export options to GEDCOM files, compatible with other software that supports your preferred language. Tools > Options in FTM allow font adjustments for better readability of foreign scripts.
Future Plans for Language Expansion
Software MacKiev invites user feedback on new language editions via a dedicated form. This suggests potential growth, especially for high-demand regions. As genealogy goes global, adding languages could enhance FTM’s appeal.
Conclusion
In summary, does Family Tree Maker support multiple languages? Not fully in its interface, but yes for data entry and outputs via plug-ins. It’s a solid choice for English users with international trees, with hopes for broader support ahead. If multilingual UI is essential, consider competitors. Always check the latest updates from MacKiev for changes.
For more information please do contact us.