Family Historian User Group

Hi,

After finding that several of my sources had vanished (probably due to an earlier validation prompt), I began to merge copies of my V6 ad V7 gedcoms.

I can load the merged Gedcom by the Project Window > More Tasks > Gedcom File Tasks > Open Gedcom File.

When I try to recreate this as a new project (as follows), there is no gedcom data after the gedcom has loaded.

The method was :

Project Window > New Project > Import a Gedcom File > Browse File > Next >

The green import bar at the bottom of the window shows its reading the data, yet no Gedcom data. The folders are created. And the gedcom file is 1KB in size

At the moment, I’ve had a few minor issues with V7, but the latest issue, is very troubling indeed.

Appreciate any help.
Thanks.

NB : I've attached the validation report, in case this throws any possible light on the matter.

The report does not add much except to confirm that Source records are missing.

It is generally not advisable to merge GEDCOM from different 'products' including different major FH versions.
That is especially true with FH V6 and FH V7, because as I'm sure you know, they have incompatible GEDCOM.

So, first import any FH V6 GEDCOM as a Project into FH V7, which will convert the GEDCOM format.
Alternatively, open the FH V6 Project folder using FH V7 or restore an FH V6 Project Backup into FH V7.

Then the File > Merge/Compare File... process should go much more smoothly.

Thanks Mike, I'll give it a whirl tomorrow.

Well, I tried as you suggested :-

1) Created a new project by importing the V6 gedcom. Then tried to merge and compare with the V7. I selected the merge button without hitting the check button. Not sure whether this was right though. The result was the same, in that there was no records (individuals, sources, etc). File size 1 KB.

2) Where I'm left is this : I resorted to extracting an older file backup (V6) and creating a new project from that.
The same log report was created concerning the excluded sources. I'm at a loss why some are still there and others not.

The good side is, I have something to work with, even if this means recreating those considerable amount of sources, going back many months.

The concern I have, is that is weird problem could resurface....

Would an uninstall / re-install make any difference ?

Thanks.

Mike

Perhaps I should have explained more about using the File > Merge/Compare File... command.
You have made the common mistake of not actually performing any reliable merging.
You must check each record tab across the top of the dialogue and review what is being merged &/or excluded.
See Merge/Compare File for detailed advice.

So, just to recap...
You imported an FH V6 GEDCOM into FH V7 to create a V7 Project and that had plenty of all types of records.
Your existing FH V7 Project had plenty of Individual, Family, Source, Media records, etc.
Yet, after you merged them there were no records at all.

Hi Mike,

I will be honest, I'm getting confused whether it was a V6 gedcom into a V7, or the other way round.

Whichever the case, I returned back to an older V6 Gedcom and imported this as a new Project, with the same error message concerning excluded sources.

If, I attempted to re-do of a V6/V7 Compare/Merge, would I have to 'check' each record, in one go - which could take a very long time, or can you take several goes, e.g. records 1-200, 200-400.

I did try looking to export the V7 'corrupted gedcom' and exclude all the sources and images, so I would be left with just the individuals, so I could at least do a later Compare/Merge with just the records of individuals (I'm trying to think outside the box !) but this came up with an error ('Unable to export - An unknown error occurred')

Hope this all makes sense - but apologies in advance.

Thanks.
Mike

Please, just collect your thoughts...
Also, keep notes of what you are doing.
Trying to recover from missing/corrupted data needs patience, calmness, and clear thinking.
I hope you've kept backups of the Project/GEDCOM you started from so you can get back to the same starting position.

It does not matter which way round you merged. What is important is that they were both FH V7 Projects at that stage.

When you imported the old FH V6 GEDCOM into FH V7 that will have created a converted FH V7 Project.

You did not answer whether the two Projects prior to merging both had plenty of records.

When merging, it should not be necessary to review every record, but you must review every tab to get some idea of what records are being retained or excluded and hopefully explain why none are left afterwards.

Hi Mike,

Yes, there are backups of previous files. Thank heavens.
There were many records on each V6 and V7 projects/gedcoms.

I'll update you more once I have trudged some more.

To digress slightly, On the subject on missing sources - On the sources tab, each one has a Record ID.
Would you know where this is, in the standard query - 'Sources and Citations', 'Source Records - All'. I would have thought the field, 'Automated Record ID' would be the same as 'Record ID' in the sources tab - and be visible.
If not, how do you get a full source query which includes the 'Record ID' number ?

I'm trying to determine what I've 'lost' , if I had to do some repair work - long hand.

Thanks.
Mike

'Automated Record Id' is like 'Custom Id' and both hold assigned identities that when imported/exported in GEDCOM remain consistent whatever product handles the GEDCOM. However, there is no standardised format or numbering scheme specified and they do not even have to be unique.

Whereas, 'Record Id' must be unique but do not have to remain the same when GEDCOM are imported/exported.
Different products employ their own identification schemes and often renumber records on import.

The easiest way to see all 'Record Id' for any type of record is via the tabs of the Records Window.
In the default configuration, the 'Record Id' is always the 2nd column. Click the column header to sort into order.
Use Lists > Configure Record Window Columns... or right-click a column header and choose Configure Columns...
Then select the 'Record Id' top Column on the right and click Edit... to see its Expression is =RecordId()
You can use that same Expression in the Columns tab of almost any Query.
It is one of many functions that provide useful ways of displaying or managing data.

Ok Mike,

Thanks that the last info. All good stuff.
Now to look at the compare issue.

Cheers.
Mike

Mike,

I have at least a project which includes my last additions, but this excludes many sources which were lost for whatever reasons in V7.

I've looked at the Merge and Compare operation and since I have no experience with this before, I have chosen not to use it on my master project (far too risky) and will practice on copies to see how this works.

Thanks for taking the time to help out with your earlier replies.

Mike/.

If you have not already done so, check you have got version 7.0.1.3 of FH 7, you can download it from the install page.

Then restore a backup of your Project prior to the upgrade to a new name and check it, are all your sources showing?

I've already suggested that he does that, but it is not clear if any old Projects have been found with the Sources intact.
So, maybe the problem pre-dates the upgrade to FH V7.