This was a bit of a surprise. I admit to not having kept up on Windows Mobile genealogy software, as I was waiting to see what happens with Windows Phone 7, but Northern Hills Software has released a major update to Pocket Genealogist a few days ago. Pocket Genealogist is a genealogy program that allows you to add, edit, and delete genealogy information on your Pocket PC/Windows Mobile device. It supports reading the genealogy databases of Ancestral Quest, Genbox, Legacy Family Tree (full 2-way syncing), RootsMagic and The Master Genealogist, as well as Personal Ancestral File and Family Tree Maker (separate purchase) depending on what version of Pocket Genealogist you purchase. It supports devices with a touch screen that are running Windows Mobile 2003, 5 or 6, including Phone Edition devices. It supports devices without a touch screen that are running Windows Mobile 5 or 6.
I do mean major updates – Pocket Genealogist 4.0 offers quite a few changes, such as support for capacitive touch devices (finger instead of stylus) which has become the preferred method for a lot of people and companies as far as working for touchscreens. PDF support has been added as well. RootsMagic 4, Family Historian V4, and Family Tree Maker 2010 support has been enhanced. I should have kept an eye on things – there was a public beta last month.
A bonus for “Basic” users – some of the “Advanced” features are now available to Basic users, including GPS, easy back and restore, and a relationship calculator.