I'm all for writing your own software when something doesn't suit your needs and a frequent re-inventer of the wheel. But this honestly seems like one of those things were the solution is readily available, in this case in the form of Family Tree Maker And at a mere $40 I would venture to guess that you'd come out ahead compared to the hours you would spend trying to get your own program doing exactly what you need.
I currently use the software and it works great.
Now, if your interest in writing it partly for the purpose of just doing it because you can and to learn something...then by all means I salute your will to learn and hope you find the control you are looking for.
