RootsChat.Com
General => Technical Help => Family History Programs, Tree Organisation, Presentation => Topic started by: PhoebesMum on Tuesday 16 November 10 14:54 GMT (UK)
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I am thinking of investing in tree making software but before I do there are a few questions I need answering (hopefully?)
I have 4 seperate family trees at the moment stored online and wish to "join" them up - does anyone know if any software out there is capable of doing this? My trees involve 4 seperate families and do not have the same family members included if you understand me.
I am particularly interested in either FTM Platinum 2011 or Rootsmagic v4.
Also, I would like transport my "tree" via USB stick to show other family members, is this possible with either of these programs?
Here's hoping someone can provide an answer, thank you.
Michelle
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Hi Pheobesmum,
Welcome to Rootchat.
I can't answer your query ,but this link (on this board) will maybe give you some ideas.
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,158637.0.html
Bob has put the links to other peoples queries.
I see you have 4 separate trees , now you can put all the names into one file in any programme ,but of course without a Root name (such as yourself or other blood relation) they won't actually "link"
I have a number of separate families who are not related to each other but have a vague connection via myself /Husband /grandchildrens other ancestors, all on one file and separate files also for each tree
Equally you can also open many differant family files.
You can use any storage medium to show your family but they must have a Family Tree programme to open your GEDcom files
I'm sure you'll be able to find answers on this board
Spring
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Thank you Spring for your quick response. I will certainly check out the link you have provided.
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Usually you have to join them yourself, so that you can be sure you have linked the right people.
I suggest you download one tree at a time, then slowly go through them, merging people that are one and the same. And - most important! - save, save and save the existing tree, just in case you make a mistake. Learn from one who did not ::) ;D
Not a task to be done when you are tired. ;)
Good luck.
meles
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RootsMagiv4 allows you to generate a "software free" portable version of your tree, that you can copy to USB stick, DVD or any other suitable medium.
RootsMagic-to-go is what it's called
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Thank you all so much for your valued input. I was dreading having to spend many more months inputting data so that all I end up with is one big tree.
To Meles: I only have one duplicated person to deal with on each tree, so I think I will have it easy :P
And yes I will remember to save, before during and after. I am so paranoid about losing info that I usually make a back up of a back up and store on hard drive, DVD, USB and another back up hard drive ;D
To KGarrad: Thanks for that. I don't have the luxury of a laptop so I use "stix" a lot to transport data.
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I only have one duplicated person to deal with on each tree, so I think I will have it easy.
Good news! If you merge the fathers/husbands, the rest should follow.
meles
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Even better news! RootsMagic 4 prompts you to save all open databases every time tou close the program!
Can you tell I'm a fan of RM4?! :)
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Legacy 5.0 is very good.
It allows you to "auto-merge" but advises you to SAVE your tree before you start and to do the merge (with its help) item by item - giving you the option to merge that one or not.
It also has a very useful split-screen mode - allowing you to COMPARE trees to see if they are partially-duplicate.
The tree prog "Generations" is free and simplest-of-all to use (helps fallible humans!)
I started with that, learned what things meant; then transferred to Legacy
best of luck
esdel
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Even better news! RootsMagic 4 prompts you to save all open databases every time tou close the program!
Can you tell I'm a fan of RM4?! :)
I thought I was their biggest fan ::) They also provide a free version so you can try before you buy, but as they say on the BBC . . . other software is available ;D
RootsMagic is extremely easy to use as a beginner. It has the same ability to compare databases in 2 or more separate windows . . . you can even view different parts of the same database in different windows, which saves a lot of skipping back and forth between people.
With the benefit of experience :'( I would not advise "auto-merging" without checking each individual match very carefully.
Mike.
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For sharing information with family, RootsMagic allows you to create a self-contained CD/DVD of your tree which runs on any Windows PC without the need to install the program.
Mike
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Legacy is up to version 7.4 now but is basically the same good programme as version 5. I get the impression from your later posting that you don't want just one tree. With Legacy and presumably the other programmes you mentioned, it is possible to have many trees, each with its own gedcom.
It is very much easier to create one big tree from many smaller than it is to divide one big tree into smaller ones so I would suggest keeping each individual tree even when you have the merged one.
With only one duplicated person per tree it would perhaps be better to update the individual trees when you have new information and then create a new merged one each time you want the whole picture.
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Loved all your practical advice, thank you very much.
As with all programs everyone has their favourites. I just worry I will end up with the wrong software for my needs and at this point in time I'm not too sure exactly what I need it to do ;D
I already have 4 original gedcom files which I update on a regular basis. So no worries about not having any backups.
My ultimate goal is to publish my own "book" for the family to see so perhaps I may have more questions later about that! I am sure if I have any problems in the future, someone will be able to advise me.
So, thanks again everyone.
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I would try one (or more) of the free trial versions which you can download. They all allow you to import GEDCOMs directly, so you can be up and running within minutes of installing the software . . . :)
Mike