Ever catch yourself daydreaming about where your family really came from? Like, what crazy adventures or quiet little moments your ancestors lived through? Family Tree Maker—FTM for short—could be your ticket to turning those “what ifs” into a real-deal family history. It’s one of the go-to tools for genealogy buffs, and honestly, it’s awesome for newbies too. Super easy to use, loaded with cool features, and perfect for getting started without feeling lost.

So, let’s jump in! I’m here to share some handy Family Tree Maker tips to get you going, dodge the usual newbie slip-ups, and help you create a family tree you’ll be excited to show off. I’ve been messing around with genealogy stuff for years—helping buddies dig up their own family stories—and I can’t wait to pass on what I’ve picked up. Don’t worry, I’ll keep it simple, fun, and totally doable, even if you’re brand new to this. If you ever get stuck, Family Tree Maker Help is just a click away in the software too!

Beginner-Friendly Tips to Get You Rolling

Tip 1: Start Small and Build Up
One rookie move a lot of us make with Family Tree Maker is thinking we can tackle our whole family history in one big weekend spree. Yeah, I’ve totally done that—lost in some distant cousin’s wild story for hours, only to realize I didn’t even put in my great-grandpa’s birthday yet. Oops! Here’s what I figured out: just start with the easy stuff—you, your parents, maybe your grandparents. Pop those names and any dates you’ve got into Family Tree Maker first. It’s like laying down the foundation of a house; you can build the fancy stuff later.

The software has a simple “New Tree” option when you open it. Click that, type in your name, and then add your parents. FTM will start building the tree for you, step by step. Don’t worry if you don’t have all the details yet—birthdates, marriage years, or even full names can come later. The goal is to get a skeleton in place. You’ll flesh it out as you go. Need to move your work to a new computer? Check out Family Tree Maker Transfer options to keep it safe.

Why this works: Starting small keeps you from feeling overwhelmed. Plus, it’s a practical tip you can try right now.

Tip 2: Use the “Hints” Feature Wisely
Family Tree Maker Sync lets you connect to Ancestry.com, and that means you’ll get “hints”—little pop-ups suggesting records like census data or birth certificates that might match your family members. It’s like having a detective assistant. 

But here’s the catch: not every hint is a winner. Double-check the details before you click “accept.” Look at the dates, locations, and names to make sure they line up. I once almost added a “John Smith” who turned out to be from a totally different country! Take your time with this—it’s better to be accurate than fast. If you’re using Family Tree Maker 2023, the latest version, the hints are even smoother to work with.

This tip’s straight from my own trial and error—real advice so you don’t mess up like I did!

Tip 3: Add Sources to Everything
Okay, this one might sound boring, but stick with me—it’s a game-changer. In Family Tree Maker, you can (and should) attach “sources” to every fact you add, like a birth date or a marriage. A source is just proof of where you got the info—maybe it’s a birth certificate, a family Bible, or even “Grandma told me so.”

Why bother? First, it makes your tree legit. If you’re sharing it with cousins or posting it online, people will trust your work more. Second, it saves you from headaches later. I learned this the hard way when I mixed up two great-uncles with the same name—no sources, no way to tell who was who! If you need guidance, Family Tree Maker Support has resources to walk you through adding sources.

In FTM, click on a person, go to the “Sources” tab, and add what you’ve got. It’s easy once you get the hang of it. Trust me, it’s worth it.

Tip 4: Explore the Charts and Reports
One of the coolest things about Family Tree Maker is how it turns your data into visuals. After you’ve added a few people, try the “Charts” option. You can make a classic pedigree chart (that’s the one that looks like a tree) or a fan chart that spreads out in a circle. I showed my mom a fan chart once, and she was amazed to see her name connected to people from the 1800s.

To do this, go to the “Publish” menu, pick a chart type, and hit “Generate.” Play around with the settings—add colors or photos if you want. This tip’s perfect for beginners who want quick, fun results. If you hit a snag, Family Tree Maker Help can point you to tutorials on charts too.