* delete individuals

[blindsider]

Could somebody explain "simply" how to delete individuals from my data base. I have many people who should not be there. Any help would be appreciated, cheers

[BobWard]

Highlight the individual in the Focus window, right-click and select Delete Record.

You can also open the Records Window (the little drum/disk icon on the left side of the screen), select the Individual Records tab, highlight the Individuals that you want deleted, and simply hit the Delete key.

[LornaCraig]

Just to add to BobWard's reply, you cannot delete multiple records all at once in the Records Window. If you try you will get a message saying multiple deletions are not permitted, but the message explains that you can add them to a Named List (Edit menu > Add to Named List) then open the Named Lists Pane (click the icon second from right in the main toolbar or use Lists > Named Lists Pane), select the required list and then Lists> Delete Named List Records. (Don't just hit the delete key when you have selected the list because that will delete the list but not the records in it).

[blindsider]

Thanks for the response, but having deleted them from the focus window, they still appear on the individual record list! How do I remove them completely? Thanks for any help.

[LornaCraig]

Once they have been deleted, by whatever method, they are gone. So if they still show in the Records window list you did not delete them.
Are you sure you clicked Delete Record rather than Unlink Record? (Unlinking will just detach them from their parents)
Are you sure the individual you are seeing in the Records window list is not just another person with the same name?

[victor]

One problem I have when deleting an individual is that the end result ends with my name (which I have set as the root)
When I delete an individual I would prefer it to stay with the family name I was working on.

Is there a way to allow this to happen

[BobWard]

Thanks for the response, but having deleted them from the focus window, they still appear on the individual record list! How do I remove them completely? Thanks for any help.

You might close FH and re-open it. Maybe it needs a "refresh" to not display the individuals that you deleted. If you followed the Delete suggestions that Lorna & I made, then the deleted individuals should be gone.

[tatewise]

For a full explanation of various methods see how_to:delete_a_large_number_of_records|> Delete Any Number of Records.

FH does NOT need to be 'refreshed' to updated records deleted in different windows.

As a newcomer I advise you study how_to:key_features_for_newcomers|> Key Features for Newcomers especially the Documentation & Tutorials but don't forget to return to the other topics, and explore the rest of our [kb]|[/kb].

@victor, how exactly are you 'deleting an individual'?
If you use the Focus Window and right-click Delete Record on anyone EXCEPT the Focus Individual then the Focus will NOT change, but clearly if you right-click Delete Record on the Focus Individual then they cannot remain in Focus, so the Focus returns Home.

[victor]

It has been awhile since I deleted anyone.
What I have done is highlight the name and from the tool bar prompt edit and then delete
Will have to try doing a right click next time. I don't think I have done it that way
I wonder if when opening edit the 'delete' can be greyed out to avoid it being deleted that way

Victor

[tatewise]

Victor, it makes no difference whether you use Edit > Delete, hit the Delete key, or use right-click Delete Record.
They all have exactly the same effect. What matters is who you delete.

Just avoid deleting the Focus Individual who is identified atop the Focus Window and shown on the left with a bold blue border, then the Focus will not change.