Ancestral Quest for Windows

Used Ancestral Quest for Windows? Share your experience and help other users.

Key Details of Ancestral Quest

Record, organize, research, and share family tree information.
Last updated on April 17, 2015
There have been 7 updates
Virus scan status:
Clean (it’s extremely likely that this software program is clean)

Editors’ Review

Download.com staffApril 17, 2015

Ancestral Quest is genealogical research freeware that can search over 1 billion entries freely at FamilySearch as well as 500 million names, though that feature requires a free log-in ID. You can also upgrade to the paid version for access to more search options. However, the free tool offers a lot.

Ancestral Quest's installer let us opt for free or paid searches, something that happened frequently while using the freeware version, though that's why it's free. The setup also gave us the option to search Ancestry.com (though a subscription may be required) and make other choices. AQ's interface, charts, diagrams, and data fields all use nice, large fonts by default, which makes the data easy to see, but the look and behavior are just a few of the many options we could change. To start using the program, we could choose to create a new database, import an existing AQ database, import GEDCOM data, set up collaborations, and much more. AQ lets users open multiple database instances. We started a new family database, which involves entering a name in the family tree template on the Pedigree tab. This called up an extensive wizard for entering and saving biographical data like birth and death dates. The program suggests adding yourself as the first person (skip the death date for now) though you can use an ancestor. Our saved data appeared in the Family tab, where we could add Spouse, Children, Mother, Father, Other Relatives, and more. The Names List tab resembles a spreadsheet. The Individual tab is inactive in the freeware; it requires an upgrade to the premium product to access the data. The free search options are extensive, though. We could access the Search Center as well as perform Individual, Relationship, and Marriage searches on the Search menu. The Tools menu includes a Research Manager, Relationship Examiner, Calculators, and more. The help menu is one of the most extensive we've seen, which is just as well because there's a lot to this free application.

Despite the freeware's limitations and the need to access online accounts to search some databases, Ancestral Quest offers an excellent introduction to Internet-based genealogical research, and a great way to learn how to use the tools and resources efficiently, if you do decide to take your research to the next level.

What’s new in version 14

Version 14 adds research timeline intended to help users see clues that will assist them in researching their family history.

Ancestral Quest for Windows

Used Ancestral Quest for Windows? Share your experience and help other users.

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: April 17, 2015

Latest update: April 17, 2015

Version: 14

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Windows

Operating System

Windows 2003
Windows XP
Windows 10
Windows Vista
Windows NT
Windows 2000
Windows 7
Windows Server

Additional Requirements: None

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 6,696

Downloads Last Week: 1

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Last Updated

User Reviews

2.7/5

7 User Votes

Like many other limited trial software it is useless
ganerdJuly 7, 2012
Pros
Looks great
Cons
Useless unless you buy the whole completed, full package. Really useless in its free form.
Summary
THOROUGHLY CONFUSING!!!
daveydee2December 7, 2011
Pros
NONE, I FOUND NOTHING GOOD.
Cons
WAS NOT HAPPY...UNINSTALLED AFTER 30 MINUTES!!!
Summary
I WAS NOT HAPPY WITH IT...SAVE YOUR TIME ON THIS ONE. SORRY I CANT SAY ANYTHING GOOD ABOUT THIS!
Very easy to use -- an excellent product
rawood11November 12, 2009
Pros
The 60-day free trial is fully functional. The two prior reviewers apparently did not understand that issue. The product has excellent funcitonality and is easy to learn.
Cons
None that I know of.
Summary
I have used this product since version 1. I can highly recommend it.
it was to limited to really try
HEDBleggApril 13, 2009
Pros
the presentation looked ok
Cons
I could not try it out properly as it was to limited
Summary
I decided not to keep it so deleted it as I could not tell if it was any good or not
The limitations of the trial made it difficult to really test.
scholzhApril 23, 2008
Pros
The media management features seemed superior to competitive products.
Cons
I can't say for sure on that, because I was testing it, and the trial doesn't allow exports of more than 40 records. It will sure import 40 records, and try to encourage you to sign up at their website. This product may be good, but I won't know. There are better evaluations given by the competition, and I'll buy one of their products.
Summary
M.Arshad FarhanFebruary 14, 2008
Pros
Cons
Summary
Great program - CNET failed to provide latest version
jrlamkin44January 21, 2008
Pros
Great program - have been using for years
Cons
CNET link still has build 11 of Ancestral Quest 12. 13 is the current build. I emailed ancestral quest about this and their top programmer, Gaylon Findley replied that CNET must have copied rather then linked back. This way the verson is not always the latest. Gaylon Findley told me he would follow up with you. Today I tried your site and it still downloaded build 11. I have the large version of build 13 now, with all the possible dlls included, a very large file, as I now have DSL. This way I was able to get build 13 from their site. PLEASE UPGRADE YOUR SITE WITH THEIR LATEST BUILD WHICH IS NOW 13.
Summary

Developer’s Description

By Incline Software

Record, organize, research, and share family tree information.

Ancestral Quest Basics family tree software is free, easy-to-use and versatile genealogy software for Windows. Its format is convenient for the beginner and yet powerful enough for the advanced genealogist. Features are: easy data entry, keyboard shortcuts, scrapbooking, professional printouts, and good sourcing capabilities Includes direct links to the massive genealogy records available on Ancestry.com. The installed program contains Ancestral Quest Basics with no registration and Ancestral Quest which requires registration code.