* Is there a way to link two individuals that likely are the same person?

[BillH]

I have two individuals in my tree who may very likely be the same person. Is there any way to link them together to make it easier to jump from one to the other in the focus window? I looked through the knowledge base and in the forums, but didn't come across anything.

Thank!
Bill

[Gowermick]

I would think the quickest way to jump between them is via the records window. With their surname and forename entered into the filter winidows at top of screen, the records list will be restricted to just them (and of course, anyone else with same forename/surname), and it should be easy to jump from one to the other from there.
Once you’re satisfied they are the same person, you can highlight them both and do an Edit/Merge, to merge the two individuals.

[Mark1834]

One option might be to have a Note for each individual that simply contains a link to the other person. That would make it readily visible in the Property Box, so one click to load that person into the Property Box, then a second click to make that the focus person. If you do merge them, you can then delete the notes.

[mjashby]

The standard GEDCOM method is to use the 'Alias Tag', not to be confused with usual meaning of an alias being an alternative name used by a person.

- Make a note of the Individual IDs of the possible 'matches'
- Make one of them the focus individual
- Select the All Tab for that individual
- Right Click on the name and select Add miscellaneous > Add Alias > Add Link to Existing Individual Record and make the link by entering the other ID.

The link created allows you to switch quickly between the Individual records and you can also add more Aliases if there are more than two possible matches.

I would agree with other suggestions that it can also be useful to have a linked (reminder) research list/note for possible record matches, especially if you have a number of potential matches within a large research project, but that method doesn't directly link the individuals.

If you eventually disprove a potential match, just delete the Alias Tag.

Mervyn

[tatewise]

The Rich Text Individual Link works well assuming the Property Box is displayed with the Focus Window as is normal.
If the link is near the start of the first line of the record local Note then it is visible immediately under the Name box.
That can be clicked to switch to the other person's Property Box and then clicking the Display in Focus Window magnifying glass in the Property Box will update the Focus Window.

Put a similar reciprocal Individual Link in that other person's Note and switching back and forth is easy.

The alternative of using the Alias option can be added to the Property Box Main tab via Customize Property Box option.
Just use Data Reference %INDI.ALIA% without the > link.
Then on the Main tab, to the right of the Alias box, the cog menu offers Select / Clear & Go To Individual record ver similar to the Rich Text Individual Link above. It also needs a reciprocal Alias from the other person.
A benefit of this method is it uses standard GEDCOM Alias features that work in FH v5/v6/v7 and may export to other products.

[BillH]

I would think the quickest way to jump between them is via the records window. With their surname and forename entered into the filter winidows at top of screen, the records list will be restricted to just them (and of course, anyone else with same forename/surname), and it should be easy to jump from one to the other from there.
Once you’re satisfied they are the same person, you can highlight them both and do an Edit/Merge, to merge the two individuals.

That is the way I am doing it now, but that is kind of a pain. I spend 99% of my time on the focus window and property box and don't use the Individual tab of the records window that much. I was hoping there would be a way to link them more directly.

Thanks,
Bill

[BillH]

The Rich Text Individual Link works well assuming the Property Box is displayed with the Focus Window as is normal.
If the link is near the start of the first line of the record local Note then it is visible immediately under the Name box.
That can be clicked to switch to the other person's Property Box and then clicking the Display in Focus Window magnifying glass in the Property Box will update the Focus Window.

This was just what I was looking for. I had not used any rich text before. I searched in the help for this, but didn't come across it.

Thanks,
Bill

[BillH]

One option might be to have a Note for each individual that simply contains a link to the other person. That would make it readily visible in the Property Box, so one click to load that person into the Property Box, then a second click to make that the focus person. If you do merge them, you can then delete the notes.

Thanks Mark, this was just what I was looking for. I had not used any rich text before. I searched in the help for this, but didn't come across it.

Thanks,
Bill

[BillH]

The standard GEDCOM method is to use the 'Alias Tag', not to be confused with usual meaning of an alias being an alternative name used by a person.

Mervyn,

I thought of doing something like this, but I have always preferred to use Alias only when I know it is the same person just using two different names. Here I'm not sure that is the case.

Thanks,
Bill

[mjashby]

Bill,

The GEDCOM 5.5.1 (and earlier) TAG definition is:

"ALIA {ALIAS}:=
An indicator to link different record descriptions of a person who may be the same person."

But, I do agree that it can appear confusing to someone who is more familiar with the the non-genealogy usage of 'alias' as meaning an individual who is known to have used different names.

Mervyn

[tatewise]

Yes, if a person just has a number of different names, you would use the Alternate Names entries in the same record.
However, some products treat ALIAS as a form of Alternate Name field with text rather than a link to another record.

[BillH]

Mervyn and Mike,

That is good to know. I was thinking of the non-genealogy definition. I have only used Alias a couple times and usually use the alternate name field.

In any case, I like the idea of using an individual rich text link. For both individuals I created a new note and put it first. In the note I have the link to the other individual. I have the first line of the first note showing on the Main tab in the property box so the link is readily visible and I can get to the other individual in one click. Too bad FH can't automatically display the focus window for the person after I click on the link so I don't have to click on the magnifying glass, but I can live with two clicks to see the focus window for the second person.

Thanks again,
Bill

[ississi]

Hi,
pardon my ignorance, but how, then, do you do a Rich Text Individual Link? I've tried searching but haven't found the method.
Many thanks,
Isabel

[LornaCraig]

Isabel,
In the Note window toolbar there is an icon to Add Link.

Note toolbar.jpg (26.75 KiB) Viewed 1631 times