Gedcom files and databases

[Taffster]

Until now, I have been researching only one family. I recently started researching another two. I have downloaded the data from findmypast as Gedcom files. How do I view it in my family tree software ? I have found the option import Gedcom file, which I think will just combine all families. How will I be able to switch from one family to another as easily as opening word documents ?

[GrahamH]

Whether or not the software will add people from a Gedcom file to your existing database depends on how it works (i.e. whether "import" is simply an operation to open a different file or whether it has a merge component).
You need to have a look at the user guide for the software you are using before doing anything.

As an aside, I hope you have verified all the data in the downloaded files (which your post implies were created by someone else). You don't want to put a lot of work into adding information to your database and then finding that the other person made an error.

[David Nicoll]

Hi,

  You should be able to create a new tree for each gedcom import.
  If you indicate which software you are using people here may be able to help further.

Happy Hunting

[Taffster]

BK6

[Biggles50]

The software you are using should have a “New Project or New Tree” option in the Menu.

Once you have created the New Project you should then be presented with the option to “Import Gedcom”.

Depending upon the software you may may then be able to merge a selected part of the new Tree into your main tree.

This is how I work in Roots Magic, tree created in Ancestry and imported into a new project in Roots Magic.

[garden genie]

I think the current version of Brother's Keeper is 7.5 so you would probably want to download the update before you start importing gedcoms.

It is a good while since I did anything like that, but on my BK if you go to Gedcom > Import that has a big warning about how all the newly imported individuals will just be added and not be checked for duplications, or how to keep them as a separate set. (you need to make a new folder first, before putting the new data in it.) Then whenever you want to change from one line of descent to another you go to 'open database' and pick the other one.

Afterthought - there is a disadvantage to having different families in different databases. Using Edit, Find, Select person will only list the people in the currently open database. It cannot produce a combined list of people.

[Taffster]

I managed to solve the problem. Initially, as I was only researching one family, I had never created a database. I had just added people and the file was unknown somewhere. I have placed each family in their own folder, with sub folders for census records etc. I have the gedcom files in each folder. Yesterday I created a database and was asked if I wanted to create an empty database - Yes. Created the database with no records, selected Gedcom - import - told it where it was and it imported the gedcom files into that database. Repeated twice more. Now I have 3 separate databases for the families.

[David Nicoll]

Glad you have solved it.

Happy Hunting