* Problem with Historian 5

[jojo]

Hi, I have been inputting family information into this program for a while now but only today found the button at the top of the page to look at a 'picture' of my family tree before my eyes. All I can say is I am totally dumb-founded because so much of the information I have put in is repeated sometimes more than once. I have tried deleting but to no avail. Can anyone shed any light on why this has happened? Thanks

[tatewise]

Jojo, could you please update your FH Version so it appears in the right-hand panel.
At the very top of this FHUG page click User Control Panel, then on the Profile tab select Family Historian Version 5 at the bottom and click Submit.

It would really help us to help you if you could give a few more details.

What is the button you found called, and is it one of a similar set?

If you hover your cursor over the button for a second, you should see a small popup tooltip giving the button name.

Is it perhaps one of Ancestor Diagram, or Descendant Diagram, or Ancestor and Descendant Diagram, or All Relatives Diagram.

Exactly what information is repeated?

Do you mean textual details within one single Box are repeated within the same Box?

Do you mean there appear to duplicated Boxes linked together with dotted lines or coloured ribbons?

[jojo]

So sorry Mike, I have absolutely no idea how to find my way around FH! I clicked on 'All relatives diagram', thought it looked great then noticed that whole families were duplicated. Husband and wives were in boxes side by side and then as I moved across the screen they were separated. Their children went with them so were duplicated also. There are many empty boxes to the sides too - I really don't understand this at all! Hope you can help if only to start me on the right path! Many thanks

[tatewise]

The All Relatives Diagram can display 'cloned' copies of married partners.
The partners are shown next to each other in Boxes with a coloured background.
They may also appear amongst their siblings in a transparent Box with a dotted outline, and linked to their coloured Box by a dotted line.
These are not duplications but simply show the same person in their two family relationships.

PartnerClone.png (43.2 KiB) Viewed 5853 times

It also sounds as if some of your past data entry may have led to some genuine duplications, but the corrections needed will depend on the nature of the data.

Can you possibly take a screenshot of the Diagram and post it here as an attachment.
The fhugdownloads:contents:utility_windows_snipping_tool|> Utility ~ Windows Snipping Tool on your PC can capture a screenshot of your Diagram.
To upload the captured image, use the Upload attachment tab below the FHUG Post a reply box.
Then we can see what is duplicated and advise how to correct it, otherwise we are just guessing.

To understand more about FH I strongly advise you spend time learning about its features.
See how_to:family_historian_documentation|> Family Historian Documentation.
The best option is to use the FH menubar Help > Book: "Getting the Most From Family Historian 5" and work through the chapters and tutorials.

[jojo]

Hi Mike, I think I have managed to copy some of the data from my computer but no idea if this will give you an insight into what I mean! My Aunt and Uncle are far apart on here with their children listed under each of them, is this right? Can you tell me why there are so many blank boxes of a different colour also? Sorry to be a pain - I did read the help book but thought I may get on better to use at the same time, sometimes easier to understand that way! Thanks for trying to educate me!!

[tatewise]

You have only attached a tiny fragment of your Diagram, but I can explain the blank boxes shown.

It seems that you have created lots of families for Trevor SCHROEDER.
If you open his Property Box there will be several Spouse tabs near the bottom mostly saying <no spouse>, and only one Child listed below on each tab.
This is saying he had lots of relationships with unknown women and each one bore him a separate child.

Presumably he should have one Spouse and several Children with just her.
I suspect one of the Spouse tabs has her name?

In the Focus Window on the left Trevor SCHROEDER will be listed lots of times with no Wife/Partner and only one Child in each entry, but he is listed once with his actual Spouse?
So note the Child's name, such as Andrew SCHROEDER, then right-click that name and choose Unlink Record.
Now in the section where he is listed with his named Spouse, click Add Child and Link Existing Record, then search and select the child you just unlinked, e.g. Andrew SCHROEDER in above example.

Repeat for each section with no Wife/Partner.

Then repeat for any other Individuals with similar multiple <no spouse>/Wife/Partner entries.

[jojo]

Thanks Mike, I did see a number of the no spouse in the records and wondered how this had happened - I will try to sort this out using your suggestions. Fingers crossed this puts it right and I don't lose something I'd rather not! Back to the reading board for me! Your help is much appreciated.

[jojo]

Mike you are a true star and computer 'teacher'. I have just spent a fair time at the computer deleting many 'no spouses' etc. and my family tree is now looking much more normal! I will try to keep it this way! Many, many thanks.

[tatewise]

I am glad that worked out OK, as I was making an educated stab at the most likely cause.

Remember what I said earlier and spend some time learning about using FH.

I know you are not exactly a newcomer, but a good starting point is how_to:key_features_for_newcomers|> Key Features for Newcomers and follow up all the links and advice.

[jojo]

I am an avid reader, Mike, and never start on anything until I've read the 'rules'! Unfortunately, I am a much better learner, as I said, if I see something being done rather than having to understand many pages of instruction. I can see that is the only way for me to progress with this program though and will try to get my head around it all. I have no idea how I got all those records in the state they were so don't know how not to do it in the future! I will, though, check the tree to make sure it is correct each time I add something or someone. Prevention takes much less time than cure! Thanks again. Jo