You've Come A Long Way Baby

I was going through some old boxes today, and look what I found--an old conference notebook for taking chart orders. This booklet was pre-Family ChartMasters, back from the earliest days when we called ourselves Generation Maps.  Remember that?  Wow.  You've come a long way baby.

In the beginning, like with any entrepreneurial endeavor, we didn't know what we were doing.  We got some things wrong but we did get a few things right.  It was interesting to see how far we've come and how much better we are at it all now.  Take a look:

This was our three ring binder for clients to browse:

And this is the 47 page booklet we offer at conferences now.

We did offer 100% satisfaction guarantee and free previews from the very beginning.  And extra copies were 50% off.  So we did that right.  Look at the explanation page in the binder.

I've gotten better at explaining things I think.  I certainly hope so. 

And look at these crazy embellishments we offered at first.

Wow.  I'm sure glad we've gotten better at that. 
Now you can see hundreds of design ideas and samples and graphics on our Gallery.

We limited the font styles.  We picked some good ones that we still use all the time.  Castellar and Edwardian are some of our most popular.  But now you can choose anything you want.  Thank heavens.

But one of the most amusing was this page.  The borders.  At least I don't call them frames anymore (to avoid confusing them with actual frames that you would frame a print with.)

Again, we're much better now with lots of borders to choose from.  But the funny thing was that we still use the calligraphy borders, and the straight 1 (tri-line) border has been our most popular forever--even with a familiar household-name designer choosing them for his personal family charts.

So life is good.  It is nice to be able to see how far you've come, and how good you've gotten at something.  Not only are we better, but our whole team of designers are fantastic at displaying any vision you might have for showing off your family history.  You'll have to check out our new 47 page idea book at a future conference, or click around our website.

I wish I'd counted how many charts we have shipped from the beginning.  We probably aren't up to McDonald's "Billions and Billions Served" but we recently crossed an annual 6,000 mark. So I know there are lots and lots of Family ChartMasters charts out there binding and inspiring families. 

And you know what, you ain't seen nothing yet.  Just wait until you see what is next. 

Generation Maps becomes Family ChartMasters

For Immediate Release:

Easy to use genealogy chart printing service becomes even more accessible

Cedar Hills, Utah. — June 1st, 2011 — Generation Maps, the leading genealogy chart printing service, announces today that it is changing its name to Family ChartMasters.

“We’ve decided to rename in order to simplify and focus our message on exactly what we do the best, “ said Kim Hovorka, CEO, Family ChartMasters. “We’re proud of the excellent customer service we provide and the way we can customize any family’s information to any design a genealogist is looking for. Future users will be able to easily find us now, and future generations will benefit from the family history we are able to display for your family.”

The name Family ChartMasters also comes with a new concentrated tagline, Share•Honor•Inspire, expressing how a genealogist can use a genealogy chart to further their research. Users are encouraged to Share their research, Honor their ancestors, and Inspire their family members with their family’s heritage. Family ChartMasters continues to be an inexpensive, beautiful way to make your genealogy chart ideas a reality.

About Family ChartMasters
Family ChartMasters was established in 2004 to help families express their heritage in a beautiful and attractive way. Family ChartMasters charts provide a visual reminder of your family’s history and help establish feelings of love and confidence that come from knowing who you are and that you are part of a family. Family ChartMasters charts can awaken individual potential embedded in one’s inherited traits and nurture emotional healing through understanding a family’s history.

Family ChartMasters is the premier printing service for any kind of genealogy chart imaginable. In addition to the design-it-yourself online Family ChArtist program, Family ChartMasters continues to offer a multitude of custom chart printing services, including both decorative and working genealogy charts. Custom decorative designs come with an online preview system that gives you personalized attention and feedback until the chart is exactly the way you envision it. Working charts are oversized, inexpensive, family reunion-type charts that display your entire file in one place to write on and add more information. Family ChartMasters has printed working charts up to 800 feet long with information for over 30,000 people. Free consultations are always available at http://www.familychartmasters.com/consult.

For more information:
info@familychartmasters.com
www.familychartmasters.com
www.thechartchick.com
www.facebook.com/familychartmasters
www.twitter.com/familychartmstr

Naming Contest Winners

As you can see by how long it has taken us to come to this point, the re-naming of Generation Maps has been a long process. We had 348 contest entries. Since the contest closed on April 4th, we've been through several focus groups with a double blind look at all of the suggestions. We've weighed and discussed and hammered and examined and reviewed and sifted and hashed out and negotiated. I feel really good about the process. After building this company for almost eight years, with all the love and hard work we have poured into it, it is hard to rename and feel good about it even though we knew it needed to be done. But, I think we have the name that really expresses what we do and will take us into the bright future with a smooth path ahead.

At long last, we had a decision! So who won? When we went back through, we were astounded to find out that the winning entry was submitted by an employee. Good Grief. It wouldn't be fair to award an employee the contest prize.

So, we have decided to award 4 prizes. One for the person who submitted the name closest to the one we've chosen and next in line for being the winner. And three runners-up. They are:

• Steve Freeman Grand Prize Winner $300 Generation Maps Credit (Can't tell you yet or we'd have to kill you :-)

• Drew Smith Runner-up $50 Generation Maps Credit "On-the-Wall Genealogy"
• Amanda Forson Runner up $50 Generation Maps Credit "Kinprints"
• Marilyn L Quinby Runner up $50 Generation Maps Credit "See My Tree"

Congratulations to them. And thank you so much to all of our wonderful followers who worked so hard to come up with so many great options for us. We so appreciate you.

We're working on logos and everything involved in rebranding. It is a big project. We will announce the new name with the new website, facebook, twitter, newsletter and etc on June 1st.

Webinars and Lectures

While we are slowing down for the summer on conferences, I've still been working on doing some webinars.

Recent and upcoming webinars include:

• Achiving Your Genealogy Work Using the Library of Alexandria Rule The November Beta of UGA's New Virtual Chapter
• Getting Your Notes and Sources Right in Your Genealogy Software May 7th from 11-12:30 MDT for the Southern California Genealogical Society Jamboree Extension Series.
• Further Your Research and Unify Your Family Reunion with Beautiful Genealogy Charts.May 11th from 12-1:30 MDT for Legacy Family Tree Webinars.
  

I am also working on recording several of my lectures so that they can be used in various circumstances and you'll see lots more writing out of me in coming months.

Slowing Down

Whew!! she said wiping her brow with a flourish.

Next weekend, I will be home for the first weekend of this year. We have been through a string of conferences, events, and speaking engagements that have been non-stop. From Mesa to SLIG to RootsTech it has been tons of fun. There is nothing I love more than partying with the people who speak my language. But we've decided it is time to slow down.

Needless to say, no one can keep that kind of pace. There were several weeks where I was home long enough to do the laundry and then pack everything back up to take off again. You can see a few things have suffered. I haven't been blogging as much. I have lists of things to write about but haven't had a second to do it. I haven't been on facebook and twitter as much, and I won't tell you about how the clutter level at the house has slipped. Mostly I'm not sure I've been able to keep up with my sanity.

And on top of that, Generation Maps orders have been accelerating. Typically, our busiest times of the year have been through the summer (family reunions) and during the Holidays (gift giving). Usually we slow substantially during February and March. But this year we haven't. Sales have been steady and we've been working really hard to keep our customer service--the personal touch and attention to detail--up to our standards. At times it has been tough to keep everything humming at home with our clients while keeping such a hectic schedule.

So we've decided to slow down over the summer. I know my heart will be aching that we aren't going to be at NGS, NEHGS, or FGS. But we've decided it is more important to make sure that we are completely taking care of the customers we have. You can see on our calendar that we will be keeping the commitments we've already made. But we are going to focus on being prepared and ready to take care of your needs this summer. So go ahead and plan the chart for your family reunion, anniversary, or just to advance your research. We'll be ready and waiting to give you the individual attention that printing your family's heritage deserves.

Contest for a new name

Generation Maps is growing and we need your help! We have known for quite a while that the name Generation Maps doesn't exactly express what this company does and we are ready now to make a change. So we're offering a

CONTEST PRIZE
$300 Generation Maps Credit!

That could be

• a working chart every year for the next 10 years
• Two 30x40 giclee charts
• or one HUMONGOUS family reunion charts.

We need your help to come up with a name that expresses the family/heritage aspect of this company and tells of the beautiful and professional charts that we create. But we are also looking for something that is snappy and memorable and expresses the fun we have printing charts for our clients.

You can submit your brilliant new name for Generation Maps at http://www.generationmaps.com/contest.
Deadline April 4th 2011.

Thanks to all the geneabloggers who already got the information out about the contest during RootsTech. We've had several great ideas submitted already. Hurry and submit yours. First one to submit the best idea will be the winner.

Extended Deadlines

We've been working hard to keep up with the demand for meaningful family gifts this season. We're enjoying the holiday season so much, we've decided to extend things a little for domestic orders.

• Custom chart orders are due by Monday December 13th.
• We've extended the deadline for Family ChArtist and Pre-created charts to December 17th.
• All rush orders must be submitted by December 20th.

Go to www.generationmaps.com, give us a call at (801)87CHART or drop us a line at info@generationmaps.com if we can help you share and inspire your family this year. We really delight in helping you show off your family history.

Inspire and Involve Your Family with their Family History this Holiday Season

A few of the comments we've enjoyed over the years.

• The kind of family tree chart I wanted was more complicated than I could do myself with the software I bought. The chart was a gift and I wanted it to be perfect... and on time. The staff at Generation Maps was friendly, professional, creative, and, most important, patient with all of my revisions. I received a preview of my chart by e-mail and it blew me away. Just as wonderful is the fact that it will be shipped today so I can give it to my friend on time. I can't thank you enough! M.M. New York
• Here are some photos that were taken when we presented LaRee with her descendant chart at the family Christmas party. She was quite overwhelmed. She was a little quiet at first and the more she looked at it, the more involved she became when she realized just what it was. She was really quite moved. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your wonderful work for us. The whole family was very impressed. R.G. Utah
• I must say I have been amiss not writing you and thanking you for the wonderful job you did on the family trees back in December... the delight my children and sister showed when they received them. Excited does not begin to explain their reaction to them... I can't sing your praises enough. F.G., Texas
• You were our Christmas... you have done something for our family that will outlive those of us that are trying to put the pieces of our puzzle in place. Already, my grandchildren are asking for some of the records. I thank you... I think it will make it possible for my sisters and I to continue at the same point. They are suddenly interested after years of telling me they did not want the information. J.M., Texas

We love being an outlet for all the research that you have collected, and an easy, beautiful way for you to share your research with your family. Christmas is a great time to do it. Go to www.generationmaps.com, give us a call at (801)87CHART or drop us a line at info@generationmaps.com if we can help you share and inspire your family this year. We really delight in helping you show off your family history.

What we did over summer vacation: Conferences (read: Parties :-)

So one of the last things that I wrote, that has been nagging at me all summer, was that I would keep you posted on what happened at the Southern California Genealogy Society Conference. Well, that conference has come and gone, along with many others. Oh what a blast we have had. It is so fun to get out and go to conferences and meet with you. It always energizes us.

SCGS is always such a blast. The bloggers that we get to hang out with there are a party. And you can never have too much bling in Burbank so we have way too much fun. Apparently I need to be looking for a tiara for next year--let me know if you have a good source. It is good to see all the bloggers, and enjoy the beautiful weather.

Kim and our son Adam went to Colorado without me this time. Adam is now taller than me, and smarter than me on the computer, and I'm sure he's cuter than me too--so that sounded like a good idea. I missed seeing everyone there, but the younger kids had an opportunity to be in a parade here at home and we couldn't pass that up. (Sometimes it is hard to balance doing family history with making family history :-) We have been showing off Family ChArtist and the feedback has been good. People are always amazed at how quick and easy it is to put together a chart and that the 8.5x11s are free. We've done alot of tweaking over the course of the summer and still have more to do. We'd love to hear any suggestions you have.

Last year conferences were all about running into new online friends. They are now all great old friends. But one of the greatest things about conferences this summer was running into old friends from real life. This is a picture of Lorna Rice and I from SCGS. She was my Primary School teacher when I was only 5 years old. Apparently I look enough the same that she recognized me ?!? No, her daughter had been reading my blog and they recognized some of my writings about my family. It was so fun to see her and even more fun to see that she was a genealogist.

And then there were all the people I accosted for help with the Utah Genealogical Association. Gena Ortega has been a great help, and A.C. Ivory (both below) has been such an energy with the Salt Lake Chapter and the Publicity Committee. If you are interested and I haven't gotten a hold of you yet, let me know. UGA is doing some fantastic things--but I'll save that for another blog post.

The BYU conference a couple of weeks ago was great as well. There were several wonderful new presentations on the future of FamilySearch and how to deal with this new database. We had planned to split up with BYU and the Kansas City Expo both being the same week, but orders were coming in so thick that we had to make sure we could take care of customers. So we decided to stick with the conference closer to home. We were sorry to miss out on the event (and the barbeque) in KC, but I am happy to report that we did get every order out this summer by the time the person needed it. Thanks to all the extra help we've had--Erin has been a lifesaver. She has taken to reading my mind now and I don't know where we got so lucky to find someone like her.

And so on to the next conference (ahem, party). We set up this Thursday for the Salt Lake Family History Expo. Holly says, "Kids are going back to school. Now's the time to think about what you can do to improve your genealogy skills. One way to do that is by attending an Expo where you can hear genealogical experts present on techniques to help you break down your brick walls. You can meet with vendors and learn about new products and websites. You can ask a professional genealogist for help on your toughest research question at the Ask-the-Pros booth. You can network with other researchers and maybe even meet a new cousin." And of course come see us at the Generation Maps booth and say Hi.

And then if you are in Ogden Utah on September 11th, or Pleasanton California on October 8th and 9th, or at the ICAPGEN conference in Salt Lake on October 22nd and 23rd, come say hi there too.

What we did over summer vacation: work work work :-)

I'm officially a binge blogger now. Orders got so thick this summer that the blogging had to take a rest. It was a fantastic summer for us though and we helped tons of people display their family history. I'll catch you up on what we've been doing in the next couple of posts.

Here are a few of the comments we have enjoyed:

• I wish you could have seen and heard my wife's expression when she saw the chart with her family.
• Thank you so much for your efforts, especially over such a busy weekend. The chart is beautiful and will be very well received at the Iowa reunion on July 10. I’m hoping that many of the younger ones will look at it, study it, and leave with a better understanding of relationships. I will soon be 72 years of age and wish that something like this would have been available in the 1940s when I was a youngster. You are performing a wonderful service. The results of your work will live on for decades and decades.
• Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I have been holding my breath since I ordered the 11’ X 3’ wall chart for our family reunion. It arrived earlier than I expected and it is beautiful. The quality is so much better than we had thought it would be. This was worth every penny. All of our work is now ready for the family to enjoy.
• The charts arrived. We love them and I can't wait to show my mother in law. Thanks sooo much for a wonderful job.

It's been funny. With the launch of Family ChArtist, we weren't sure how our company would change, but there has been even more requests for custom charts and descendant charts than ever before. Probably because we are the one place where you can have a genealogy chart designed just the way you want it--every time. And family reunion season is always great for us. We love doing those huge inexpensive charts that help you gather more information at the big family get together or the beautiful family representations that help everyone envision their history with lots of pictures.

I so enjoy helping people bring their family closer together. As busy as we've been this summer, I can't imagine working on anything more fulfilling. We love being able to help you show off your family.

Another FamilySearch award for Generation Maps

While I was too exhausted to write much after BYU and NGS (5 lectures in two days and 2 booths and 3 conferences in the overlapping 5 days) there is one thing I MUST tell you about. We are one of the very few companies now to hold TWO (count 'em TWO) FamilySearch software awards. Press release follows.

For Immediate Release

19 May 2010

2010 FamilySearch Software Award Recipients Announced

SALT LAKE CITY—Recipients of the 2010 FamilySearch Software Awards were announced at the FamilySearch Developers Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. The 14 recipients were recognized for their outstanding and innovative work in advancing products and technologies that integrate with FamilySearch’s emerging suite of products and services.

The annual FamilySearch Software Awards has been established to encourage and recognize software development that benefits the growing demands and needs of family history consumers. “The awards formally recognize the software achievements of those developers and companies that are making important contributions to the family history and genealogy industry,” said Gordon Clarke, FamilySearch developer services product manager.

The Best New Product awards were given to applicants in different platform categories. Products with specific features deemed important to the growth of the industry received the Best New Feature award. Community Player awards recognized individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the software developer community.

The following recipients were announced and awards presented at the FamilySearch Developers Conference:

Best New Product Awards

· The MagiKey for the “Best New Windows” product

· Arcalife for the “Best New Web site”

· MobileTree for “Best New Mobile” product

· FamilyInsight for “Best New Macintosh” product

Best New Feature Awards

· OurFamilogy for “Best Research” feature

· SharingTime for “Best Collaboration” feature

· Genetree for “Best DNA” feature

· Ancestral Hunt for the “Best Geo-Mapping” feature

· FamilyPursuit for the “Best Groups” feature

· Photoloom for the “Best Media” feature

· FamilyChArtist for the “Best Print” feature

· AppleTree for the “Best Celebrity Tree” feature

Community Player Awards

· Gaylon Finlay, Incline Software, “Bug Hunter” award

· Michael Booth and Bruce Buzbee, Roots Magic, “Trailblazer” award

FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch has been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. FamilySearch is a nonprofit organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Patrons can access FamilySearch services and resources free online at FamilySearch.org or through over 4,600 family history centers in 132 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Catching up

Well apparently I'm a binge blogger lately. It's all Sheri Fenley's fault. At NGS she happened to show me that she hadn't posted for a while and I thought, "Well if the great Shirley has her quiet moments, I probably should too." You have to watch out for us blondes. LOL. Now I need a picture of a bottle of ketchup like the Ancestry Insider uses.

Really, it was a mixture of doing some writing (articles and the start of a book (!?!)), doing some reading (below), some minor health problems (just annoying), not to mention the exhaustion of doing the BYU and NGS conferences back to back. A great time was had by all, and we're all rested up and back on track. And of course Generation Maps is busy as usual. If you haven't gotten your family reunion chart in to us for this summer, be sure to get it in soon. It's already shaping up to be a great season.

Among other things, I read Elizabeth Shown Mills historical fiction work Isle of Canes. I haven't looked at how other reviewers treated it, but I was extremely impressed. I don't know that the writing flowed all that terribly well, but it was an impressive example of professional genealogy work. Though it was a work of fiction, you could tell the massive amounts of research that had gone into the book. She knew the people, she knew the neighbors, she knew all the surrounding information and she knew it well enough to make you care deeply about these people. It was a beautiful, heart-wrenching story. Amazing book and incredible genealogy investigation.

I've also been working on UGA projects. Here is a quick update on some of those:

1)SLIG registration opens June 10th

Get in on the ground floor. Registration for the 2011 Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy opens at 9 AM MST Thursday, June 10, 2010 online at www.inofuga.org. Some of the country’s best genealogical educators are gathering to help you gain expertise in a flash with small class sizes and hands-on research. Whether you are a beginner or are looking for advanced skills, you can’t afford to miss this wonderful opportunity to learn from the experts. Register early as all class are expected to fill to capacity.

The 2011 Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy will be held 10-14 Jan 2011 at the downtown Radisson Hotel located at 215 West South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah. Registration is $320 before 30 October 2010, thereafter $345. UGA members can use the coupon “SLIG2011” before October 30^th for the member pricing of $280. All coupons used by members will be verified by membership staff. Registration includes course materials, an orientation breakfast and the Friday night banquet. Evening classes and additional dinner tickets are extra.

Courses for 2011 include:

• American Records and Research: Focusing on Localities with Paula Stuart-Warren, CG
• NEHGS part1 --New England and New York with D. Joshua Taylor
• Irish Family History Research with David Ouimette, CG
• Research of France and her Former Colonies with Earl Charvet
• Researching in Washington, DC, without Leaving Home with Rick and Pam Sayre, CG, CGL
• Professional Paths and Income in Genealogy with Kory Meyerink, MLS, AG, FUGA
• Internet Tools & Techniques with Barbara Renick
• Producing a Quality Family Narrative with John Philip Colletta, Ph.D., FUGA
• Advanced Methodology with Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL, FASG, FUGA
• Accreditation and Certification with Apryl Cox, AG and Connie Lenzen, CG
• Problem Solving with Judith Hansen, MLS, AG

and 2)Hold the date. Mark your calendar October 15th 2010 for our UGA membership meeting and open house gala. This banquet will launch our 40^th anniversary renaissance year with the first meeting of our new virtual chapter so plan to attend online even if you can’t be in Salt Lake City. Along with dinner and a speaker, there will be displays and discussions about our new Speaker’s Bureau, the new Intermediate Genealogist Education Program, and our new chapter initiatives as well as many other activities to launch us into the next steps in UGA’s history. More information will be forthcoming.

Janet's Guide to Salt Lake City--You're invited to the Family ChArtist Debut Party

Come and participate in the grand premiere of a most exciting new genealogy chart tool — Family ChArtist by Generation Maps (www.generationmaps.com/familychartist). A celebration and premiere party will be held at the Generation Maps booth in the National Genealogy Society Conference vendor’s hall on Wednesday, April 28th from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. The NGS conference (www.ngsgenealogy.org) is being held at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City April 28^th through May 1^st. Admisssion to the vendor’s hall is free to the public.

In addition to refreshments, there will be continual demonstrations of this easy-to-use, new program. Training computers will be available so that you can also try it out yourself. Create an 8.5 x 11 color print free of charge, or try your hand at a larger, frameable archival print which can be printed for a nominal fee. There will be drawings for two $50 gift cards as well as free consultations on printing large genealogy charts. Representatives will be available to answer questions about printing any kind of genealogy chart you need or want.

As you know if you've been reading this blog, Family ChArtist is a new, user-friendly web based program that will assist you in creating beautiful, personalized genealogy charts based on information either from your own genealogy computer files or from the New FamilySearch database. The website offers beautiful high quality graphics in modern, classic and colorful patterns, as well the ability to add as many of your own pictures as you would like. First time users can create beautiful charts in just a few minutes without the purchase, installation or advanced training of other design software programs, online databases and file formats. As with all Generation Maps charts, extra copies are always HALF PRICE. Order copies of your chart as meaningful gifts for your children and other family members.

Be sure to bring your genealogy computer file, genealogy information and/or your New FamilySearch ID with you to the NGS Vendors area so you can try out this new, easy-to-use program yourself. You'll be amazed at how easily you can create, share and display beautiful expressions of your family history. And if you can’t make it for the party, you’re welcome to take it for a spin online at www.generationmaps.com/familychartist. Hope to see you there.

Family ChArtist's first week/Monday's winners

It's been quite a week. And we are already on to version 1.1 of Family ChArtist. (Can you see the version notation in the new graphic?)

The bad news is we ran into a couple of glitches. Such is to be expected I guess. You work and work to get everything perfect, but computers can sometimes have a mind of their own. The good news is we were able to fix things quickly and version 1.1 is already out. And we sent out a couple of 20% off codes for people who had alerted us to the glitches. So if you see any more--let us know.

The other good news is that the response has been great. We are so appreciative of all the excitement everyone has had. It is so gratifying to hear the stories about how you are using this new tool to share what you have done with your families and to see the exciting styles you have submitted for printing. Thank you so much for allowing us to participate in your family this way.

We are still having some issues with certain types of GEDCOM import but hope to get those fixed very soon. If your GEDCOM isn't importing this weekend, try exporting your GEDCOM from your genealogy program as an ANSI file. We know that one is working well. And we should have the other types fixed shortly.

And, in all of the excitement, I didn't ever announce the winners of our drawings on Monday. Congratulations to P.S. Eagleson (Facebook winner), B. Feldstein (Twitter Winner) and B. Renick (GenealogyWise winner.) We'll be sending out $25 gift certificates that are good for Family ChArtist, or any of our other options--Working Charts, Custom Charts, Photo Giclees, Blank Charts, and everything else. Gift Cards are also available for purchase. And don't forget our free consult too. We'd love to print the perfect chart for you.

Family ChArtist--And We're Live

I feel like I've been on Iron Chef. If you ever watch that show on the food network, you'll know that two gourmet chefs have one hour to cook as many gourmet dishes as they can to impress a panel of judges. When the buzzer sounds at the end of the hour, they have to "walk away" no matter how much has been accomplished.

I finally understand why it takes so long for companies to get a new piece of software out. There are so many other features that we wanted to incorporate, so many other graphics that are just about ready to go. But we could have held on to it forever. At some point, you just have to release it and then go from there.

Two weeks ago (or three--it all blurs together) when we decided to set a roll out date, we thought we were within days of being ready for release, and the roll out was probably too far out in advance. Now after far too little sleep, the 12 noon release time has come and gone, and it is live. I'm so glad we did set that date. Otherwise it might never have been released. Hopefully you won't miss the things we wanted to add too much, and then we'll have exciting new things to work on in the future. And lots of new graphics to add soon--just as soon as I take a nap.

In the meantime I know how the chefs on Iron Chef feel watching the judges taste their food now too. We hope you like it. We hope it will help you creatively proclaim your heritage, show off your identity, thank those who came before, and inspire those who are growing up now. Let us know what you think.

Family ChArtist--Screenshots, keeping it simple

When we designed Family ChArtist we wanted to make it easy enough that you wouldn't need instructions and everything was intuitive. Hopefully we've gotten really close to that goal. Let me show you the screen shots for each section so that you can see how easy we've kept things. Keep your eye on the tabs below the chart.Choose the layout.Adding and entering information.Adding a title or controlling font. And then the next 4 deal with graphics. We'll still be refining things in our future development. We'd love to hear what you think.

We're down to counting hours. It's getting close.

Family ChArtist--coming with an all new website.

So there is an all new website coming on Monday too with the advent of Family ChArtist. For those of you who have never used our service or seen us at a conference, we're hoping that you'll be better able to see all the fabulous things we do. Here's a sneak peak at the front page.





Thanks to Amy Slade for all the great photographs.
We're off to the South Davis Family History Fair today. Wish us luck on this final beta/preview. We're down into the hours on the countdown now. It's almost here.

Family ChArtist--Adding Pictures

So today I'm going to give you some ideas on how to add pictures. Thanks to Erin, for helping me out with some samples today. You get to see another person's family for a while. And Erin always comes up with great ideas that I never would have thought of.
On this first one she has the baby pictures of the couple who started it all, and then a modern picture of their family
On this one she offset the focus person, and then put the family on the bottom again. Sweet and simple with that beautiful font.
On these she's added pictures of the main person in the center of a left to right chart.
With the hints I gave you the other day about sizing and shaping the layout of the genealogy chart, there are lots of things you can do Besides adding pictures of embellishments, you can add pictures as backgrounds. Like we talked about earlier, you can set the transparency to focus more on the picture, or more on the genealogy information. And then of course you can do a genealogy chart with no genealogy at all. This one has a timeline of the husband and wife on the top, the wedding picture and then pictures of the family and children below.
And combining pictures with the backgrounds you can come up with beautiful things too.
I've so enjoyed seeing what the testers have come up with. They've come up with beautiful designs I never would have thought of. I can't wait to see what you come up with too.

Family ChArtist--Shields and Monograms

One of my favorite sets of graphics is the 22 shields we have for your genealogy charts. Now I know these aren't really family crests. If you have a family crest you would like to add to your chart you are welcome to upload it like you would a picture. But if you don't have copies of a family crest you need, these add a pretty decorative element. Take a look:

Some of them have decoration in the middle and some of them are blank in the middle.If you use the title feature to place an initial over the shield, it becomes a monogram, like this:Or this:

You can even use a picture in the blank shields like this:And then you could even use the title feature just to put in a monogram without the shield. Anyway you slice it, there's lots of options in Family ChArtist