# Families

> Mobile genealogy management and editing companion for desktop software. (iPhone/iPad app by Malcolm Green.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/families/id379619019 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Malcolm Green](https://appshunter.io/developer/1626972604)
- Category: Productivity, Reference
- Price: $14.99
- Rating: 3.90/5 from 10 App Store ratings · 70 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 10.0 · 82 MB
- Languages: American English, Dutch, Finnish, German (Germany), Italian, Norwegian Bokmål, Norwegian Nynorsk, European Spanish, Swedish
- Released: 2010-08-05
- Data updated: 2026-08-03
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/families/id379619019/reviews.md

## What is Families?

Families is designed to operate in conjunction with Legacy Family Tree, the leading Windows-based genealogy software from Millennia Corp. Your Legacy family files can be easily transferred to your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad, enabling them to be viewed and edited wherever you are. Families supports the following functionality:

- Multiple family files 
- Supports GEDCOM as well as Legacy files
- New family files can be created from scratch 
- Family View, Pedigree View, Descendant View and Timeline
- Relationships
- Events 
- To Do Lists 
- Master and Detail Sources 
- Locations and Addresses, with mapping display
- Alternate Names 
- Master Lists
- Pictures, including the ability to add pictures from camera or photo album 
- Documents, audio and video files
- Bookmarks
- Powerful search options
- Portrait and Landscape mode on all views 
- Supports Legacy 6, 7, 8 and 9
- Support for Legacy 9 features, including same sex relationships, hashtags and stories

Families uses a highly efficient database implementation, allowing very large family files to be supported.  Users have successfully displayed and edited files containing over 300,000 individuals on an iPhone.

Families requires access to a Wi-Fi network or use of a USB connection in order to transfer family files between your device and your PC.

Families requires a companion program running on the PC to transfer family files to and from the iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad. This program, Families Sync, can be downloaded free of charge from www.telgen.co.uk/families/sync. 

A sample family file is included.

Support is available via support@telgen.co.uk.

## Key features

- Multiple family file support
- GEDCOM and Legacy file compatibility
- Create new family files
- Family, Pedigree, Descendant Views
- Source and location management
- Picture and document attachment
- Powerful search functionality

## Chart rankings

- #199 in Top Paid · Productivity (US App Store)

## Recent user reviews (10 of 70)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/families/id379619019/reviews.md

### 1/5 — How to import from Legacy?

*2021-05-29, version 3.2.3*

I am confused as to how to import my GED and/or Legacy file.  Your instructions are incomplete and confusing!

### 1/5 — Does not work - frustrating

*2020-03-27, version 3.2.2*

Set this up a few years ago.  Synced once to the app by not able to sync additions on iPhone back to computer Legacy program.

### 1/5 — Crashing upon launch

*2019-11-02, version 3.2.1*

With the last update, app won't open, but crashes immediately. I have iOS 9.5.3, but that still should work.

### 5/5 — Families problem?

*2018-04-15, version 3.0.2*

Love the app & the way it works with Legacy!  But what has happened to the Surname search since the last upgrade??

### 3/5 — Searches

*2018-02-28, version 3.0.1*

When something works well why change it... Searches are now so complicated that I don’t use it anymore. Great update guys...

### 5/5 — Nice!!

*2018-02-10, version 3.0.0*

I am one that is usually reluctant to download updates for at least a month.  But I held my breath and updated. 

I am LOVING this latest update. So many new and improved features. 

I’m not a syncing type. I use Families so that I can carry my data base along. So no feedback on that.  

But. The features. Wahoo!

### 2/5 — Dissappointing

*2018-01-27, version 2.5.0*

Needs an update. When I try to zoom in on my documents they are blurry and unreadable. Adding info from Legacy seems more like converting and then downloading my Legacy info, not syncing like with Evernote or other programs that sync info. Was not worth the cost.

### 5/5 — Love it

*2017-07-05, version 2.5.0*

Easy to install and update. Converts all my Legacy stuff including media to my iPad mini to use whenever I want.

### 5/5 — Families

*2017-04-02, version 2.5.0*

This is a great addition to Legacy for allowing use on my ipad. Works extremely well.

### 1/5 — Worst app I've used

*2016-11-29, version 2.4.0*

The app has been updated to include lots of information extracted from my Legacy Family Tree but the problem is that it is the absolutely most cumbersome, convoluted transfer process I've ever had the misfortune to use. It literally, if all goes well, takes an hour or more to do a simply sync because there is nothing simple about "Families." Why a company as terrific as Legacy would use this app for their iOS mobile customers is beyond comprehension. Today has been 100% wasted on trying to get the program to sync, with the result that I have had to dump it from my iPhone. How does one write Negative Stars? They don't deserve even one. It is worse than "I hate it." It has wasted too many precious hours/days trying to work the app.

## Frequently asked questions about Families

### What does the Families app do?

The Families app allows you to view and edit your family tree data on your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad. It syncs with desktop genealogy software, enabling you to manage your family files, add information, and access your research from anywhere.

### What are the key features of the Families app?

Key features include support for multiple family files, compatibility with GEDCOM and Legacy files, various viewing options (Family, Pedigree, Descendant), management of sources and locations, the ability to attach pictures and documents, and powerful search capabilities.

### Is the Families app free to use?

Yes, the Families app is free to download and use. It requires a companion program called Families Sync, which can also be downloaded free of charge from the developer's website.

### What devices is the Families app compatible with?

The app is designed for iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad devices. It supports various versions of the companion desktop software, including Legacy 6, 7, 8, and 9, and is compatible with portrait and landscape modes on all views.

### How do I transfer my family files to the app?

Family files are transferred between your PC and your mobile device using a Wi-Fi network or a USB connection. You will need to download and run the free companion program, Families Sync, on your PC to facilitate this transfer.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.6.1 — 2024-03-14

Fix problem opening file when number separator is not decimal point in current language

### 3.6.0 — 2024-03-12

Fix exception updating Story
Add support for editing and deleting Roles
Remember search list position over app restart
Various bug fixes

### 3.5.0 — 2023-05-24

Fix problem importing family file from Dropbox
Fix incorrect display text for some shared events
Improve accessibility
Show Legacy Version in File Information
More Legacy 10 support
Show birth and death places on phone in Family View if suffient space, e.g. in landscape view

### 3.4.0 — 2022-05-30

Prevent creation of filename with reserved characters
Fix problems with married and alternate names in search list
Fix exception in Settings View
Fix exception when GeoLocation View called from Address View
Add Search List Report (beta)
Add initial support for Legacy 10 (beta)

### 3.3.0 — 2022-01-03

Catch Launch exceptions in Address View
Fix crashes when accessing hashtags or stories
Fix some instances where editing of read-only file was being allowed
Fix problem updating alternate names
Fix problem using "Only Search List" in Detailed Search
Ensure all screens are visible in dark mode
Warn about editing sources generated using SourceWriter
Display File Information (Source filename and date/time of transfer)
Add Family Group Sheet (beta)
Add Descendant Report (beta)

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## More apps by Malcolm Green

- [GedFamilies](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gedfamilies/id546608544)

All apps by Malcolm Green: https://appshunter.io/developer/1626972604

## Related topics

[families](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/families)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-03.*