* New to the program....

[Clarrystree]

Hi I've considered moving from an old Family Tree Maker program to Family Historian, I am running the 30 day demo program with my current tree. Each time it loads up I would like it, at least, to go to MY RECORD on the file, not to someone else! Can it be set up so that it goes back to me as the default record.

[dewilkinson]

Select yourself so you appear in the main window, then go Edit -> File Root -> Set as Root. FH will then open with you as the selected person and all relationships will be as relative to yourself.

You will see various threads on this particularly about always opening with the last selected person. FH cannot do this at present so I just keep a note of the persons ID that I am working on.

I moved from TMG to FH over two years ago now and have never regretted it, whilst not perfect FH is an excellent and flexible tool, it just takes quite a while to explore it. There are loads of help files and extra add ons available via this forum.

[tatewise]

Welcome to the FHUG David.

A summary of ways to focus on particular records is in how_to:remember_current_records_being_updated|> Remember Current Records being Updated.

Also work through how_to:key_features_for_newcomers|> Key Features for Newcomers.

For advice about importing from FTM see how_to:import_from_family_tree_maker|> Import from Family Tree Maker (FTM) but any Plugins mentioned there cannot be used with the FH 30-Day Trial version. (That is the only feature not supported by the Trial.)

[Clarrystree]

From David to another David W. Thank you that was of great help. I've now noticed that in the Individual Records table it displays each relationship to me, a bonus didn't expect that. That's helpful.

[BobWard]

Another useful tip that might fall under this general topic. A case may arise, where upon opening FH, you might want to immediately go to the last person whose profile you were working on when you last exited FH.

All you have to do is click the Records Window icon (upper left side of the screen), then click the Individuals tab, then click the Updated column tab. That will put the most recent person you worked on right at the top of the list. Just double-click their name and their Property Box will open.

[Gowermick]

Further to Bobwards comment, this will only work if whilst working on someone, you actually amended something.
The only way to open FH with the last peron you were looking at, temporarily make that person the Root Person before closing FH. When FH is re-opened, it will have that person as focus. Don’ forget to reset your root person when done.

[tatewise]

No that is NOT the ONLY way to Open FH with a nominated person, as explained in the link I gave earlier to how_to:remember_current_records_being_updated|> Remember Current Records being Updated, which explains all the other methods mentioned here too, and some more ideas.
However, the Create Individual Shortcut Plugin does need a fully licenced FH and won't work with the 30-Day Trial.

[Gowermick]

Sorry to disagree Miketate, but apart from making the person the temporary file root, none of the other methods open FH with a specific person in focus, which is what was asked for.

[LornaCraig]

For the benefit of new users it might be worth mentioning here that it is not necessary to have FH open on the Focus Window at start up. Use Tools>Preferences>Startup and tick Display the Records Window instead of the Focus Window at Startup. You will then immediately see the Individuals tab of the Records Window, in whatever sort order you left it.

Early versions of FH did not have a Focus Window at all, and I am among those users who still prefer to work with diagram-based editing and the Records Window. I hardly ever use the Focus Window.

[tatewise]

Sorry to disagree with Mike Loney, but the Plugin creates a shortcut on your Desktop, which when clicked does Open FH with the chosen person in Focus, which is exactly what was requested.
Please do try it and you will see.
You can even create several shortcuts that each open with a different person in Focus (or selected in the Records Window).