Fix Common Issues with Research Guidance Feature of Legacy

Research Guidance in Legacy is a valuable feature designed to help genealogists discover missing information, suggest records to search, and guide research efforts step by step. However, some users experience confusion or technical issues when trying to access or use this tool. The good news is that most problems are easy to resolve once you know what’s going on.

One common concern is that users believe Research Guidance has disappeared from the software. In reality, it has been relocated in newer versions of Legacy Family Tree. You can access Research Guidance in Legacy by going to Tools > Other Tools, clicking the Research Guidance icon in Family View, or by right-clicking on the Husband or Wife box in the Family View screen. Knowing these access points can save time and frustration.

Another frequent issue involves script error messages popping up when opening Research Guidance. These errors are usually related to Internet Explorer settings, since Legacy relies on Internet Explorer components to display web-based content. When a script error appears, the simplest immediate solution is to keep clicking “No” until the program finishes loading. While this works temporarily, it’s better to fix the root cause.

To resolve script errors permanently, start by making sure Internet Explorer is fully updated on your computer. Even if you don’t actively use Internet Explorer, Legacy still depends on it. Next, open Internet Explorer, go to Internet Options, and reset the settings to default. This step often clears corrupted or outdated configurations. You should also check that script debugging is enabled and that error notifications are turned off, which helps prevent repeated pop-ups.

Sometimes, security or compatibility settings can interfere with Research Guidance. Adding Legacy Family Tree as a trusted application and ensuring your system has the latest Windows updates can improve stability. Restarting your computer after making these changes is also recommended.

If problems continue despite these steps, professional help is available. Legacy Family Tree Support has in-depth knowledge of Research Guidance in Legacy and can assist with version-specific or system-related issues. Their guidance can help ensure the feature runs smoothly so you can focus on what matters most—building and improving your family history.

By understanding where to find Research Guidance and how to fix common errors, you can use this powerful tool with confidence and make your genealogy research more efficient.