The Master Genealogist (TMG) is genealogy software originally created by Bob Velke for Microsoft DOS in 1993, with a version for Microsoft Windows released in 1996. Data entry was customized through the use of user-defined events, names, and relationship types. Official support for TMG ceased at the end of 2014. Informal support continues through a number of online user groups.

Features

Source types

The default source types in the standard edition are based on Wholly Genes' interpretation of Elizabeth Shown Mills's ''Evidence! Citation & Analysis for the Family Historian''. Source templates based upon Wholly Genes' interpretation of the source types in Richard S. Lackey's Cite Your Sources are also provided. The source templates in the UK edition are based on designs by Caroline Gurney for sources commonly encountered in the United Kingdom.

Platforms

From version 2 onwards TMG was designed to run on the Windows platform but can be run on Macintosh and Linux machines using a Windows emulator.

Limitations

TMG version history

Please press show for more information on past versions.

Migration from TMG

GEDCOM

TMG has elaborate and detailed support for sources in a database format where a source can be referred to by any other record. In the GEDCOM database specification, sources can be attached to any number of individuals or multiple families, by attaching to any number of facts for that individual or family. Exporting a TMG database involves duplicating the sources into each place where a given source is used. All of the information is exported, but the structure of each source is lost permanently. An example is when there is a census or ship's record that lists many members of an extended family. TMG allows each individual's entry to refer to a common source record, which can itself have an elaborate description. GEDCOM also allows every fact in that census or ship record to apply to a single source, it's simply a matter of tagging the facts with that source. This may vary with how TMG handles sources but that's perhaps the fault of TMG not adhering to the standard that was well established prior to the program being produced.

Non GEDCOM exports of TMG

The following options allow for some form of direct transfer of TMG files, possibly limited, apart from GEDCOM.

File format

TMG's underlying database engine is Visual FoxPro v9 and does not support Unicode.

Companion products

Several software developers have created companion products specifically for TMG that enhance its functionality. These products include: TMG data output is compatible with a range of geographical mapping and genealogical reporting applications that support the GEDCOM format. Significant freeware and shareware utility applications, as well as independently published user guides and manuals, also support TMG's installed user base.

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