Ancestry & Family Tree Maker (FTM) Dispute/Warning

onesixfive

I Posted the following on Techie stuff Forum a week ago, It was suggested I post a warning on this Forum - So...as another week has passed & I still have nothing for my money, here it is.....!


I've been having a dispute/run-in with Ancestry & Family Tree Maker (FTM) over recent weeks.
Wondered if other have been suffering similarly?

• About 3-4 weeks ago all my photo's & most of my attachments "blurred out" for best description on my Ancestry Family Trees.
• I've been an on-off member of Ancestry for many years, so there's a lot of hard work in there.
• In 2015 my tree was getting far too big & unmanageable.
• In order to split it I was persuaded to sign up for FTM (around £100!)

This worked, I split it. I continued to maintain both Ancestry & FTM.

Upgraded FTM (for free) to version 2014.1 3/4 weeks back after pictures disappeared.

When nothing re-appeared, I was told I'd have to re-load all pictures into ancestry one-by-one! or wait for the newer version FTM 2017 which was due 31st March, and I could have that at £29.99! so I reluctantly paid for that, aa week later nd I'm still waiting for it.

They are now presenting an overview of our new FTM 2017 edition at http://www.whodoyouthinkyouarelive.com/ 6-8 April.
A bit much i think when we've paid & not got anything yet - and left with Ancestry wiped of all our hard work!!
Comments ....?!

ps:

• I cant sync. There was no prior warning that this sync would cease.
  
• There was no warning our photo's etc would disappear from Ancestry.
  
• Up to now, I've had no guarantee that they will re-appear on Ancestry with FTM 2017

I've paid for an upgrade I've yet to receive, with no date as yet it will be available - my Ancestry subscription is expiring fast!

People who don't use FTM still show their profile images etc on Ancestry - its only us who do use FTM whose photo's are awaiting sync which have disappeared. ie: if i'd never bought it in the first place then I'd still show all my pics/documents etc on Ancestry. I suggested it was blackmail to buy the new package! I was told The images where not transferred due to the improper working of sync feature. You may send your complains at familytreemaker@mackiev.com but this get you nowhere!
I could get a refund as I paid via PayPal - but that wont get me my pictures etc back ???!!!

hollydays

These photos, they were not owned by you originally?

Sooler

Join the Beta Testing and you'll get a version with syncing.

onesixfive

hollydays wrote: »

These photos, they were not owned by you originally?

Yes - they're mostly photo's I've posted myself from family albums, but other stuff are certificates etc off the CWGC (war dead) websites etc which I've downloaded following research.

onesixfive

Sooler wrote: »

Join the Beta Testing and you'll get a version with syncing.

found it - done it - lets see if they accept my offer!

onesixfive

I am now heavily into the Beta testing.

I have now ended up with 9 (an increase from my original 6) family trees.
The 3 additional trees came during the testing process.
Of my 6 original trees I now have 3 Ancestry trees linked to FTM (family tree maker), and 3 un-linked??

Neither I, nor FTM, have any idea how this happened????

However - the 3 which came across as un-linked, brought over my (lost) documents & pictures from FTM onto Ancestry - Yippee!

Quite how I'm going to link them ever again I don't know!

Note: the trees which brought my pictures back from FTM back to Ancestry, do not reflect any amendments I have made over recent weeks - all that wasted work


Finally - I have complained to FTM !
Although I'm still involved in testing - I've spent HOURS online emailing, & online chatting - mainly to staff, who, depending on who you get, depends upon the efficiency/accuracy of the answers you get!!.
They DO NOT have any telephone contact numbers!
I suggested a phone contact (manned by efiicient staff) & maybe something like logmein123.com would have speeded up their testing process !
When this is rolled out to the general public (worldwide!) I can see it being an absolute nightmare! and if I wasn't already so highly committed, I would avoid it with a bargepole

ftmuser

"http://ftmuser.blogspot.co.uk/"]Family Tree Maker User[/URL][/B]


If you are a facebook user
Try asking on FamilyTreeMakerUsers

I posted this on the other thread you used

macman

No backup then, or is it held online only?

onesixfive

Sorry guys I cant partake in discussions any further...I've been warned off - I've had to agree to Confidentiality Agreement

We ask that you agree to keep your activities as a beta tester completely confidential. Please read the terms below carefully.

1. I understand that test copies of FTM are for “my eyes only”. I agree not to share the test version, or even the fact of its existence, or my role as a beta tester with anyone.

2. I agree to keep the results confidential. I will not share my testing results or anything else about the new version, including screen shots and descriptions, with anyone in person, in writing or online other than Software MacKiev.

3. I will not share information about the BETA version on FACEBOOK or other social media.

I agree to the terms of this Confidentiality Agreement.

50Twuncle

I am totally confounded by Mackiev attitude to their customers
I have been a FTM customer for over 8 years and only discovered that my FTM 2014.1 would cease to work by luck - no email was received and I do not "facebook" !!
I paid £29.95 for the 2017 update, almost a month ago - with no sign of any ability to download it - I agreed to Beta test and have sent several reports to Mackiev but nothing has been received back
I was expecting HUGE changes - considering the delays in getting the new version out - but a far as I can see - there are no differences to either the menu ot submenu - they claim to have radically changed the way that it syncs - but I don't see any difference at all

50Twuncle

macman wrote: »

No backup then, or is it held online only?

The instructions for beta testing the 2017 version DO warn you to back up your files before running the .exe - using the 2014 or earlier to your own PC (.FTM file) - but be aware that once you run 2017 - you cannot go back to 2014 without using your own backed up file !!
ie They are NOT backwards compatible !