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Messages - mrigger

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The Common Room / Re: Will RootsChat be of help to you?
« on: Wednesday 26 September 12 15:42 BST (UK)  »
I just wish I'd found this site years ago - I've found out more about one branch on my tree in 3 days here than I had in the previous 6 years!

Keep it up....

Mark

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Family History Programs, Tree Organisation, Presentation / Re: GEDCOM to XLS conversion
« on: Wednesday 26 September 12 09:11 BST (UK)  »
Good morning

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Thinking laterally . . . RootsMagic comes with RootsMagic-to-go, which allows you to generate a free-standing CD of your family tree.

Probably other genealogy programs also do something similar?

Very true, and another valid point. I'm not trying to replace any of the functionality of other FH software, just give anyone who needs it a free alternative. Also, the plan for the application is also to allow you to compare two GEDCOM files for duplicates, etc., as well as allowing search & filter functions.

Regards

Mark

3
Family History Programs, Tree Organisation, Presentation / Re: GEDCOM to XLS conversion
« on: Wednesday 26 September 12 08:33 BST (UK)  »
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You might want to see the export options, this is from RootsMagic as it will make a difference to your excel layout.

A valid point, but as I cannot guarantee what application the GEDCOM was created in, nor what fields it contains I have had to make the import code fairly forgiving in terms of missing /additional fields.

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Also, why don't you download the free downloads of the FH programs which are available to test? That way you will get a better picture of how each FH program exports its data.  Once you get that right, testing larger gedcoms shouldn't cause a problem.  Testing gedcoms people send to you blind without knowing the options chosen is really hit and miss on getting your application to work properly without bugs.

Again, a valid point, but the problem here is that it would only ever be me creating the test data - it's far better from a testing standpoint to use real data - no two people will enter data in the same way, so this is a much better way of testing in my opinion.

Thank you for your comments - they are appreciated!

Best wishes

Mark

4
Family History Programs, Tree Organisation, Presentation / Re: GEDCOM to XLS conversion
« on: Tuesday 25 September 12 09:45 BST (UK)  »
Thank you all for your responses - it is much appreciated!

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I must say, I am intrigued as to why you would want an entire GEDCOM in XLS format

....mainly because at one stage I was exchanging information with relatives who didn't use genealogy software (but did have a spreadsheet application or viewer), plus I wanted to improve my programming skills  :P

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How much data do you want and how do we deliver it?

Your choice, although the more individuals there are in the GEDCOM file, the better (from a testing viewpoint). Please feel free to make available as much (or little) data as you feel comfortable with. Please PM me and I will give you an email address where you can send the data.

Once I have the data, I will process it and send the results back to you in an Excel tabbed spreadsheet (if you don't use Excel, don't worry - the data should be visible in most Spreadsheet applications, or you can use the free MS Excel viewer application). This initial data will consist of a breakdown of all the data in the file. After some bug fixing, I intend to modify the application to allow you to compare two GEDCOM files, but more of this later.

Thanks again for your responses, and I hope you can assist.

Best wishes

Mark


5
Family History Programs, Tree Organisation, Presentation / GEDCOM to XLS conversion
« on: Monday 24 September 12 18:50 BST (UK)  »
Hi!

Some time ago I started to write an Excel based application to convert GEDCOM files into a tabbed XLS spreadsheet. For various reasons I had to shelve the project but now I am in a position to start work again.

The finished application will be released as freeware to anyone who can make use of it. In the meantime I need some help! At this stage, I am looking for forum members who can provide me with GEDCOM files exported from differing genealogy programs. I only use PAF, so output from differing programs will help me ensure that the input process is as stable and robust as possible.

I am not looking to 'steal' anyone's research, and I certainly don't want any information that relates to living individuals. Any and all information will be handled securely and confidentially, and will be deleted after I have finished the testing stage. So is anyone willing to help? I will also need a few volunteers later to beta test the application, but at the moment it is the data that is important.

I do hope that some of you will consider helping out .

Best wishes

Mark

6
Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs / Re: Dates please - and who is the bride?
« on: Sunday 23 September 12 11:29 BST (UK)  »
Hi again!

Just to add my further 2p's worth.....

A search of the GRO records shows that on the same day that Maud married Ughtred, her sister Mabel also married (to a George Bees) - GRO reference Burnley 8E 457 Jan-Mar 1908. Mabel was 3 years older than Maud so maybe this was a double wedding?

Regards

Mark

7
Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs / Re: Dates please - and who is the bride?
« on: Saturday 22 September 12 20:20 BST (UK)  »
Hi Carol

Thanks for the reply to my post - I look forward to participating more over the coming weeks!

Best wishes

Mark

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Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs / Re: Dates please - and who is the bride?
« on: Saturday 22 September 12 10:44 BST (UK)  »
HI

First time here, and what a find. Seeing these photos has made my day! Benjamin Ashworth was my 1st cousin 3 times removed - his father (John) married my Great Great Grand Aunt (Esther Sowden), so I guess that makes Ughtred my 2nd cousin twice removed.

Thank you for sharing these pictures - would you mind if I added copies into my Family Tree?

Best wishes

Mark

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