Where We Began
Although Genealogy.com's current development efforts focus on genealogy software and Internet products, former President Kenneth L. Hess actually founded the company (then called Banner Blue Software) with a different product line: Org Plus. Hess bootstrapped the company in 1984 to develop Org Plus, a product that automates the tedious task of creating and editing corporate organization charts. The product was a hit and, over a decade later, was still #1 in its market.
Our Move into Genealogy
The Banner Blue team found that many customers were using Org Plus to create their family trees, so after further research, Family Tree Maker was born as a DOS product in 1989, and it was an immediate best-seller. It maintains its position as the #1-selling genealogy software program with annual upgrades that take advantage of new technologies, while at the same time reflecting the needs and desires of the customers.
Human resources and funding to support new product development and upgrades have always been sourced internally. This sound fiscal management has kept the company profitable every year of its existence.
Broadening the Genealogy Market
In late 1994, Banner Blue acquired Automated Archives, Inc., then the leading provider of genealogical data on CD-ROM. The two companies joined forces in order to increase quantity and quality of genealogical CD-ROMs available. Adding Banner Blue's financial strength, programming capabilities, and mass market distribution to Automated's genealogical expertise has helped accomplish this goal. Automated maintains its location in Provo, Utah.
In May 1995, Broderbund Software, Inc. acquired Banner Blue Software. Broderbund, a leading publisher of consumer software, recognized that Banner Blue's products made an excellent strategic match with its other "personal productivity" titles. As a Division of Broderbund Software, Banner Blue continued to apply its unparalleled expertise in the field of genealogy software, developing a collection of over 150 CD-ROMs to help researchers and hobbyists alike. Also during this time, Banner Blue made its first move into the Internet arena, creating FamilyTreeMaker.com, a companion Web site for Family Tree Maker software. It quickly grew into a destination for all genealogists, not just those who used Family Tree Maker. As content on the Web site expanded, so did the interest in the Web site, and Banner Blue soon became the genealogy content provider for Yahoo! and Excite.
In June of 1998, Broderbund's access to major retail distribution chains helped propel Family Tree Maker sales past the point of 2 million copies. Then, in August of that year, Broderbund Software, Inc. was purchased by The Learning Company, Inc., headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Learning Company is one of the country's leading developers of consumer software for the entire family. The company publishes some of the best-known education, reference, personal productivity and family entertainment brands in the U.S., including Reader Rabbit, Oregon Trail, Sesame Street, Mavis Beacon, Princeton Review, National Geographic, Compton's, PrintMaster, and Chessmaster. In May of 1999, The Learning Company was purchased by Mattel, Incorporated. In the fall of 1999, A&E Television Networks, Hearst New Media and Technology, The Learning Company, Thomas H. Lee Company, and Weston Presidio announced a joint partnership to back a brand-new company-Genealogy.com, LLC.
Where We are Today
In February 2001, A&E Television Networks (AETN) acquired Genealogy.com, LLC. With this acquisition, AETN extends its diverse historical and biographical line-up by adding family history to the list and enabling Genealogy.com to leverage the company's most recognized brands-A&E(r), Biography(r), and The History Channel(r). As a new division of A&E Television Networks, Genealogy.com will continue to enrich the lives of its customers by providing the tools, resources, and community that empower them to uncover and share the unique family stories.
Date Added to Directory: 1/5/2002, Current Content: 10/13/2008, Days in Directory: 2473
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