15 iPad Apps I use for Genealogy and Family History

15 iPad apps for genealogy. © Copyright 2013 4YourFamilyStory.com

I get asked a lot what apps people should get for their iPad. You know, for genealogy and "stuff." It's a tough one to answer because it just depends. It depends on your interests, preferences, and, you know, stuff.

But that usually doesn't help folks out. So I thought I'd list what apps I have on my iPad. Some I have used and some I'm either been playing with or have just started playing with. {And some of the apps I used on my iPhone back before I bought my Android Smartphone and before I had an iPad.} However, the list is long. So I broke it down into several blog posts. And I've started out with some pretty obvious ones, I think. Then, I'll branch out into some other obvious apps and not-so-obvious apps that I use for some aspect of genealogy research -- both personally and professionally.

And if you like this series of blog posts for genealogy and family history apps that I use on my iPad, just wait until you see the series of blog posts listing the Android apps I use on my Samsung Note 2. 'Cuz that's next after this series. Bam.

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1. Ancestry ~ This is how I access my private work-in-progress family tree when I'm on the go. While I prefer to access Ancestry via my browser on my iPad for researching, I do like the convenience of accessing my tree while I'm at the library or courthouse for quick reference.
   
2. Rootsmagic ~ While I use FamilyTreeMaker 2012 software because it syncs to my Ancestry tree {which is my private research work-in-progress tree} very nicely, I also use Rootsmagic 6. And I'm finding I use it more because of it's research features, new alerts {which are really awesome and a huge time saver}, developer responsiveness, etc., but most of all I like how I can publish a family tree website that includes only things I've proven {to my satisfaction} and that can be found by anyone including family members via Google. Now, getting it on my iPad via Dropbox and the Rootsmagic app is not my favorite because it ties me to having Dropbox storage for this, but their desktop software rocks.
   
3. MyHeritage ~ Admittedly, I don't keep my tree updated there, I do like having a version of my tree there for cousin bait, networking, the alerts, etc., and it's nice to have it on the go on my iPad for quick researching. {And, no, I don't recommend people have 3 different databases going if you don't want to. It's not necessary at all.}
   
4. LiveHistory ~ I've been playing with this app, and I have a full review coming up on it. Suffice it to say that I think this app has lots of research and analysis potential. {Disclosure: I've received an app from the developer for me to review.}
   
5. Billiongraves Camera App ~ While I research on FindAGrave.com as well as Billiongraves.com and elsewhere, this app makes capturing my own ancestors' tombstones and information very handy.
   
6. StoryPress ~ I'll be using this app for an upcoming interview with a 2nd cousin of mine. {Disclosure: I not only promoted their Kickstarter Project, I helped to fund it as well and received some cloud storage for donating to their project. I like this app that much.}
   
7. WhoDoYouThinkYouAre? Magazine {UK} {Disclosure:I wrote an article for them.}
   
8. Wolfram Genealogy & Family History Research Assistant App {More specialized for genealogy than the Wolfram Alpha App}
   
9. Wolfram Travel Assistant App ~ Again, more specialized and handy for planning any type of trips, including research trips.}
   
10. Paper of Record ~ Not an abundance of collections, but? How will it get bigger if we don't support it? And maybe other developers will take a hint a develop more of these apps. Cuz, duh. This is brilliant.
    
11. Metes and Bounds Basic ~ While I've used the web-based version, I just found this iPad app. It doesn't look as powerful as their desktop application, but I think this could be pretty handy when dealing with metes and bounds when I'm on the go. Or relaxing on the couch.
12. Houston Public Library ~ This app is super duper handy for checking what Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research has in their online catalog when I'm on the go. {At home, I use Clayton's website for full researching.}
    
13. Mid-Continent Public Library ~ While I also use Worldcat.org {which their app is no longer available but you can use the site in your favorite iPad browser}, I like having access to a library's website via my iPad app for special collections, events, etc.
    
14. Timeline Builder ~ I've just started playing with this one. I'll let you know what I think of it in the near future. So stay tuned.
    
15. ThingLink ~ This one is SO cool and I did a review of it already.

Also remember to stay tuned for more iPad apps. I've got lot of them that I use for not only genealogy but other, um, "stuff." And then a series of blog posts of Android apps that I use will be after that.

~Caroline

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