This is a local desktop application for professional and amateur genealogical research. The program combines an intuitive interface for building family trees with powerful tools for working with sources, photos, documents, and genetic data. RootsMagic supports GEDCOM import, offers flexible media management, and allows you to create detailed pedigree charts and narrative reports. Integrations with online services via WebHints and TreeShare simplify the search for external records and synchronization, while all data remains under the user’s control.
Key features
Support for GEDCOM import and export with preservation of source references and the ability to selectively migrate data.
Creation of pedigree charts, descendant trees, and fan charts with display and printing settings.
Powerful media management module: batch image import, document linking, automatic thumbnail and metadata creation.
Find Everywhere for quick access to all records and notes.
Set of reporting tools: custom templates, export to PDF/DOCX/XLSX, and narrative generation for publications and presentations.
Integration of WebHints and external hints for automatic detection of matches and relevant records.
Synchronization via TreeShare: selective transfer of changes between local files and online trees with the ability to roll back.
Working with genetic results: marking and analyzing DNA matches, linking tests to people and events.
Place standardization and data cleanup tools.
Rule-based smart groups and flexible filters for creating dynamic selections based on criteria.
Source management with support for source citations, linking to events and notes in the research log.
File compare, data merging, and transfer of individual records between databases without losing links.
Templates and AI Prompt Builder for accelerated generation of biographies and narrative drafts.
Publishing and exporting for the web: preparing materials for posting family trees online and printing.
Bulk editing of facts and events, convenient bulk edit and history tracking tools.
Quick keyboard shortcuts and customizable views to speed up your workflow.
Improved stability of the TreeShare module when synchronizing with Ancestry and FamilySearch.
Added advanced options for exporting narrative reports and optimized handling of large files.
Fixed bugs in the WebHints block, which sped up the search for relevant sources.
Enhanced privacy features: you can now more accurately manage hidden events and private notes.
Improved integration with DNA matches, including correct display of connections and new markers.
Version 9.0.1
Optimized media management with large collections of photos and documents.
Accelerated loading of pedigree charts and descendant views.
Fixed bugs when importing GEDCOM files to preserve more metadata.
Version 9.0.0
A new AI Prompt Builder module has been introduced for automatic generation of biographies and narrative texts.
The search interface has been redesigned with the ability to convert queries into smart groups.
The design of reports has been updated and the printing of family tree charts has been improved.
Pro tips
Make regular backups and store them separately from media files.
Use smart groups for quick access to frequently used selections.
Check imported GEDCOM and manually verify critical source citations.
Customize AI Prompt Builder to your templates and always edit generated texts before publishing.
Before mass synchronization via TreeShare, create a database restore point.
Run data cleanup after large imports to avoid duplicates.
Archive large media files to an external drive or cloud and store only links in the database.
Set privacy (private events) before publishing to avoid revealing data about living relatives.
Comparison with SnapGene and Sysinternals Suite
Purpose
RootsMagic — genealogy software for family history. SnapGene — DNA sequence visualization for biological research. Sysinternals Suite — a set of system utilities for Windows diagnostics.
Audience
Genealogists and researchers — RootsMagic. Biologists and laboratories — SnapGene. IT specialists and administrators — Sysinternals.
Formats
RootsMagic focuses on GEDCOM, media, and reports. SnapGene focuses on bioformats. Sysinternals focuses on logs and system data.
Functions
RootsMagic — pedigree charts, reporting tools, and source citations. SnapGene — sequence annotation. Sysinternals — utilities for monitoring and troubleshooting.
System requirements
Platforms: Windows 10/11.
RAM: 8–16 GB RAM recommended for large databases and media collections.
Disk space: minimum 500 MB for the application plus space for media files and backups (SSD preferred).
Processor: modern multi-core CPU for fast report processing and rendering.
Network: Internet for WebHints, TreeShare, and updates (may depend on .NET).
Outcome
RootsMagic is one of the most functional and effective solutions among all genealogy research programs. It is a hybrid that allows you to work with local files and closely interact with the WebHints and TreeShare online services. In version 9.0.2, the developers focused on stability and usability: they made working with DNA matches more efficient, improved narrative reporting capabilities, increased privacy, and simplified synchronization. All this makes the program particularly attractive for people who compile extensive family trees and import GEDCOM files, as well as for those who want to work with sources and media files on a single platform.
RootsMagic is an excellent choice if you need a tool that gives you enough flexibility to create reports and control data manually, which a novice researcher in your company can do to maintain a professional-level resume.
Frequently Asked Questions about RootsMagic
1. Is RootsMagic a subscription or a one-time purchase?
It is sold as a one-time purchase license, not a subscription. Updates within the same major version are included for free.
2. Can you sync RootsMagic with online trees?
Yes, you can use TreeShare to sync with Ancestry and connect with FamilySearch. You decide which changes to keep or discard.
3. Does the software support DNA matches?
Yes, DNA test results can be attached to individuals. This helps link test information directly into the family tree for better research.