Use this checklist when moving an existing tree to RootsMagic 12. Installing the program and converting a database are separate steps. Keep an earlier-version backup until you have checked the converted tree.
Prepare the original tree
1.Open the tree in the version that currently uses it and make a backup. Include media if you need those files in the recovery copy.
2.Record the database's filename and folder. If several copies exist, identify the one containing your latest work.
3.Keep the original backup in a clearly named location. A later RM12 backup should not replace the only backup that your earlier program can use.
Open or import
For a RootsMagic 8 through 11 working file, open the .rmtree file in RM12 and read the conversion message. The same extension does not mean the database can still be opened in the earlier version after conversion. See Opening an older RootsMagic file.
For an older RootsMagic database or another program's file, use Import from Another Program. For a backup, use Restore from Backup. Choose a different folder if you want to keep the original working copy too.
Check the converted tree
Check the filename and folder on the File page. Compare the people and family counts with the original, then inspect a few families with multiple spouses or parent sets. Check recent edits, alternate names, shared facts, and longer notes.
Open several sources and citations. Older built-in templates used in the tree remain supported as user-defined templates. Conversion of the database does not require you to change every source to one of the 18 new built-in templates.
Open a few photos and documents to check that RootsMagic can find them. See Fix broken media links if they have moved. Create a short report with notes and sources and check how it looks.
Make an RM12 backup after completing these checks. Retain the earlier backup as a recovery reference.
Learn the changed workflows
Use Tree View to expand ancestors and descendants on one screen, and Customize Life Summary to arrange sidebar information.
SourceWizard offers suggestions and Help me choose. The citation editor separates citation fields, text, properties, and use-specific quality. Use Change source template only when you deliberately want to change a source's format.
Review the note editor, the expanded AI Prompt Builder, the chart choices, and KeyTips. For a complete release overview, see What's New.
Use SourceWizard to enter your sources
SourceWizard helps you start with a description, a website address, or copied citation text. Open it with Sources > Add > Add using SourceWizard, or Add with SourceWizard in a person's citation list. You can also enter a source manually. See Adding a source, Adding a citation, and Editing a citation for entering evidence, adding it to people, and making corrections.
