Transferring My Legacy Genealogy Software Family Data File To A New Computer

🌳 After much research, the decision on a new computer has been made. 

And now, aside from all the excitement of getting a new computer, one of the down sides is having to set time aside from an already busy life to get it set up to a working standard.  

Preferences, software downloads, emails.. and on and on. 

       

                 

       You would think the process can and should be enjoyable.  

                

The thought of cleaning-up and re-structuring files as you revise your organizational methodology sounds productive, and under other circumstances I would actually enjoy that process.  Yet, realistically, it is time-consuming, as I approach it from the standpoint of a weekly job and a busy family life.. and so it is, a necessity to get the job done as efficiently as possible in the time allotted. 

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One of the tasks that I can now check off is transferring my Legacy genealogy software, and the family data.  This was, by the way, the first task after setting up my preferred web browser and email, of course. 

First thing I did was to check on the Legacy Family Tree website. 

I found the download page and still had some questions. 

So, I decided to also check on the Facebook group - Legacy Users’s Group for suggestions, as I remembered reading posts on this very thing in the past.  I found this to be very helpful as well, and would recommend checking here whenever you have a question for a specific topic related to Legacy. Just do a search for what you are needing and the posts should come up. 

I figured I would log the steps so I have it on hand for future reference, if and when the time comes again, or maybe someone else can simply benefit from the information along the way.

1. Seek out instructions. 

Went to the Legacy Users’s Group and found several suggestions. 

Go to the Legacy Family Tree website —   ‘Moving Your Family File From One Computer to Another’  This page is great, and will pretty much give you everything you need to get the job done. There really is not anything to add, my purpose is simply to minimize the steps and relay my experience.   

2. Download. 

Click on the Legacy Download link:  https://legacyfamilytree.com/DownloadLegacy.asp 

3. Select type of Download.

I have always used the Deluxe version since I first started using Legacy back in 2007, and have updated when a new version has come out through the years. 

                     
              

                     I use Legacy Deluxe version 

 

There are three choices listed. 

Decide on which version one to use. I read on the Legacy User group to first download the Free standard version and then use the unlocking code that was sent to your email when you first made the purchase to unlock the Deluxe version. 

Why not just click on the 9.0 Deluxe version right at the start?  I may need to look into that later and update this post. 

a). Legacy 9.0 Standard Edition (Free) — 

b). Legacy 9.0 Deluxe Edition — 

c). Legacy 9.0 Deluxe (from 34.95)  — 

This version is obviously different from the one above - Maybe a CD-Rom version? 

The description on the website includes Legacy 9.0 Deluxe software - download-only edition, 

the Legacy manual (PDF), Legacy Charting Deluxe software (installed along with Legacy 9.0)

I downloaded Legacy 9.0 Standard Edition (Free) first and then unlock 🗝 the Deluxe version with the code received at time of purchase.    

Now, to figure out the best way to transfer my family data from my other computer. Normally, I would just copy a data file onto a flash drive or external hard drive to transfer to another computer.

I checked on the Legacy site on how to transfer the family data file in Legacy, just to be sure. I was able to find a webinar on using Dropbox in Genealogy, by Thomas MacEntee that was done several years ago on Legacy Family Tree Webinars,. I listed the link below in resources.  

This was great!  I decided that it would be a good idea from here on to save at least one copy of my Legacy backups to Dropbox. This would allow me to facilitate a transfer to another device or computer in the future. 

4. Save Family Data file to Dropbox. 

I like the idea of saving 2 backups- one to my computer and another to Dropbox.  

In general, Dropbox makes it so much easier to share files across various devices, and it works like a charm with Legacy.  I created a Legacy Software folder to save my Legacy Backup files when I need to. 

5. Restoring Legacy Family Data File to Another Computer — 

In Legacy software, click on ‘FILE’ at the top - Then Click on ‘RESTORE FILE’. 

File explorer will come up. Click on Dropbox and then locate the family file that I had saved. 

The Media File is separate, but there is a box you can click on to restore that file as well. I will do that at a later date, as my goal at the moment is to have Legacy installed and working on the new computer. 

                                            Mission accomplished!!

Family file is now installed in the Legacy software on the new computer. 

🌳  🌳  🌳  🌳  🌳  🌳 🌳  🌳  🌳  🌳  🌳  🌳  🌳  🌳  🌳  🌳  🌳  🌳  🌳  

Resources: 

Side Note: The Tips and How-To’s link on the Home page in Legacy is excellent. You should be able to find just about anything you may need help with. 

Legacy Family Tree Webinars:  ‘Moving Your Family File From One Computer to Another’

For more about Dropbox see Dropbox and Legacy.

‘Dropbox for Genealogists’ by Thomas MacEntee on Legacy Family Tree Webinars. Despite, the fact that it was taped a few years ago, I found it relevant. 

‘Backup & Restore - How to Restore a Legacy File’