Family Historian User Group

It was my understanding that FH 7 conforms to the GEDCOM 5.1 standard, but I cannot find the PROP {PROPERTY} fact in the fact set. There may be others, that's just the one in noticed. If I add it as a custom fact, will it be included in the GEDCOM file as a standard fact? Can someone indulge my ignorance and explain?

Hi Allena

I think you mean the 5.5.1 standard. The definition for 5.5.1 describes this as: PROP <Possessions> (on page 33): A list of possessions (real estate or other property) belonging to this individual (on page 59). You will find this fact (attribute) in the list in Family Historian with the title 'Possessions'.

Hi Nick

Yes, I did mean 5.5.1. If I change the "label" or "abbreviation" in the Fact Definition, that won't affect a GEDCOM file will it?

Hi Allen.

You are correct. Changing the Label or Abbreviation in a Tools > Fact Types... definition has no effect on the GEDCOM file.

All the standard GEDCOM 5.5.1 specified facts (events/attributes) have a definition in the FH Standard fact set.

To answer your other question. NO, custom facts cannot be defined for standard fact tags like PROP.
It is possible to clone copies of the standard facts and modify their definitions but the standard fact tag remains unaltered.

If somebody felt sufficiently strongly about it, they could change Possessions to Property in the Fact Set definition file using a text editor. In principle it’s no different to non-English apps changing labels to local language (but a future FH upgrade could change it back).

It’s not necessarily the recommended route, but it’s actually simpler than cloning and editing if you are comfortable with a bit of hacking outside the normal user interface.

Firstly, there is little benefit in changing the Name to Property over just changing the Label to Property as the only place that the Name appears is in Fact Types dialogues and only in the Fact Definition window or when the Show Hidden option is ticked.

Secondly, it would be better to Clone the Standard fact into a custom Fact Set and edit the Name there.
Then it is immune from FH updates. Just give that Fact Set a higher priority than the Standard fact set.

Exactly - I think it’s clear from my comment that I wasn’t recommending it as an alternative method, just pointing out what it is possible for those who are curious about the internal plumbing and don’t mind experimenting. You have pointed out in the past that FH updates don't usually change standard fact set definitions, so it is low risk and easily restored if necessary.