If the vast amount of genealogical information you researched, collected and developed was for your personal satisfaction, MyKinFolks is the app for you! On the other hand, if your intentions include sharing the fruit of your labor, this app is definitely for you and all of your kin! MyKinFolks was designed with kin in mind: for them to view and learn their family structure from the toils of their family historian/genealogist.
As a genealogist, MyKinFolks is the ideal tool for you use to showcase your work and to keep your family informed. Do this by making periodic distributions of your GEDCOM file to your family for browsing on their device; and maintain a living repository as kin periodically inform you of family expansions.
MyKinFolks presents your genealogy in three way:
• as its list of individuals
• as its list of families
• summarized in reports and charts
The selection of a name on the individuals list (or on most other presentations) presents the details you have recorded for that individual. Details include: names of parents, spouses, and children; dates and places; and notes, and more. A salient feature of the individuals details is an explanation of how that individual is related to "me". MyKinFolks uses the concept of "me", which can be set to any individual in the genealogy. After "me" has been set, all relationships are with respect to that individual. For example, MyKinFolks answers the burning family question: How is she related to me? MyKinFolks would answer with one of:
• "Jane Smith is my wife”;
• "Jane Smith is my first cousin";
• "Jane Smith is the spouse of my first cousin, Henry Smith"; or
• the fact that there is no blood or marriage relationship.
Additionally, you can present a chart illustrating the relationship by tapping the detailed disclosure button beside the explanation.
The families list is organized by spouse names. Tapping a family name presents the details recorded for that family. Details include: marriage date and place; names of spouses and children; and notes, and more. A detailed disclosure button is beside each name; when tapped that individual’s details are presented, as described above.
MyKinFolks provides eight reports. Five reports display genealogical information:
• Relationship Chart
• Ancestors (Ahnentafel)
• Ancestors (Chart)
• Descendants Report
• Family Group Report
Three reports display information from events and other information in individuals’ lives:
• Notes Directory
• Calendar
• Residency
The charts are usually presented in their entirety on a full screen. You can, however, zoom as you desire using pinch gestures.
Individual and family lists are presented in tabular form, sorted into sections by surname. Names are selected in the typical manner by tapping an entry. However, searching for names is not the typical structured form; you perform searches by entering any sequence of two or more letters you think appear within the name. As you enter the letters, candidate names are presented from which you can make your selection.
If you do not have access to your familys GEDCOM file, and until you contact the family historian/genealogist, you can see how MyKinFolks presents information by browsing one of the provided sample files.