text: where can i buy family crest and history software?   there is no such thing as a "family" crest, although a dozen merchants will sell you a crest or coat of arms that was once issued to someone with your surname. just google "coat of arms" and look for a linkk neding in ".com".  two genealogy programs will help you trace your family history,  family tree maker roots magic  there are others. ftm is the market leader, i like rm better. they are both $29. neither will do the work for you. they are to family history what "word" is to a term paper - tools. you have to do the work. they make it easier, but it would take a couple of hours a week for a month or two on your part to get a good foundation.  write if you are still interested. most yahoo! users are not.  from wikipedia:  the descent of arms was and remains strictly regulated by inheritance; only certain actual descendents of a particular armigerous (arms-bearing) person are entitled to his arms or a differenced version of them — hence popular associations of a coat of arms with all bearers of a surname are based on a misconception. heraldry is mostly a hobby today; but in some countries (e.g. scotland) it remains regulated by heralds and the assumption of another's arms is illegal.  the word "crest" is commonly used to refer to a coat-of-arms. however, in heraldry, a crest is just one component of a complete achievement of arms. the crest sits atop a helmet, which itself sits on the main and most recognizable part of the arms, the shield or escutcheon. other elements may include supporters holding up the shield and a motto beneath. crests can in fact be used on their own (this is particularly useful when there is insufficient space to display the entire coat-of-arms); but where the shield alone is used it should never be called a "crest".