* Alternative names

[susanpenter]

I quite like the quick method if adding alternative names in next to the name display in the reference box however there doesn't seem any quick way to reference where these names are used. For instance I can go into the source information for each census entry and see how the name is given there (providing I remembered to edit it after the ancestral sources creation [oops])or I can create a note explaining how the name is spelt in different places I just feel it would be so much easier if in the creation box for the alternative name as well as the actual break down of the name (prefix, suffix, given name etc) there was also a where used column to see at a glance how the name appears at different times.

This may be possible of course and I am missing a trick, thanks in advance for any thoughts on this.

ID:6936

[tatewise]

I suspect that what you are asking for is a Source Citation for each alternative name.
This is possible in a number of ways.

First, click on the drop-down list against the Sources field at the top of the yellow Source Citation pane.
There you will see listed Name, and Name(2), and maybe Name(3), etc, for each alternative name.
Select any one of them and you can then use Add Citation to cite a Source for that alternative.
This adds an asterisk * against the associated Name.

Such Source Citations are not very visible, but can be made visible as follows.
In the Property Box use the Menu option Customize.
Untick Show most commonly-used items only bottom left.
Then select (for advanced users> from top of Available Items and click > in centre to add to Selected Items.
Tick Part 1 and set both Custom Item Name and Label to say Name(2).
Finally set the Data Reference to INDI.NAME[2] and click OK.
Now use the up arrow button to move this item up to just below Name near the top, and click OK.
The Name(2) field now appears in the Property Box and its where used Citation in the Sources pane.
Repeat for Name(3), and for as many Names as you prefer.

[susanpenter]

Many thanks Nick, I have set it up. I may be pushing it beyond the bounds here but do you think it would be feasible that when a second name is added the box appears but when there isn't one the box is hidden? I'm guessing not but it may just surprise me.

Thanks

[BillH]

Susan,

Not sure if this would be something you would be interested in, but what I've done is to add another tab to the property box called Name.  On this tab I have fields for up to 15 alternative names.  Here is an example of what it looks like (I actually have 15, but I'm showing only 4 names to conserve space in the image).



When you position the cursor on any name, it shows the corresponding citations in the Sources pane. You can add or delete citations for any name by positioning on that name and using the Add Citation or X buttons in the Sources pane.

So, positioning on Alis Larsdatter /Hillesdal/ shows this:



Positioning on Alis Larsdatter /Vatndal/ shows this:



If this is something you would be interested in, I'd be happy to try to help you get it set up.

Bill

[tatewise]

Susan asked 'do you think it would be feasible that when a second name is added the box appears but when there isn't one the box is hidden?'
Unfortunately, you are correct in guessing that is not possible.

[susanpenter]

Hi Bill,

That looks like a good way to go. I have set up the name tab and added in name and name 2 and name 3, the bit I'm not sure about is how to add the prefix, suffix and nick name boxes.

Many thanks,

Susan

[BillH]

Hi Susan,

Here is what my Customize Property Box window looks like for my Name tab.



Prefix / Suffix it looks like this:



Nickname looks like this:



Each Name # looks like this:



To create these custom items, deselect the box that says Show most commonly-used items only, select (for advanced users)..., and then click on the right arrow to add the item to the right pane (selected items).

Then select the custom item and click on the Edit Custom Item... button.

Let me know if you any questions about these.

One thing I forgot to mention is that you can add new alternative names on this tab by keying in a new alternative name, but you can not delete an alternative name on this tab. If you blank out the name, the alternative name will just be blanks. To delete an alternative name, you still have to go to the Main tab, click on the ... button next to the Name: field, select the alternative name from the list and click on the Delete button.

Bill

[susanpenter]

Many thanks,

That is fantastic, all sorted. I think 4 should do me for now but I can always add more later.

[tatewise]

Bill is not quite correct about not being able to delete alternate names via the Names tab fields.

If you clear the name it does not vanish immediately, but if you Save and re-Open the Project, then the blank name does get deleted automatically.
This is similar to many other fields that when cleared remain initially as blank fields, but get deleted following Save and re-Open.

BTW: The method for filling in the Data Reference fields is to use the <<Select button and expand the list until the required data is found.

[BillH]

Hi Mike,

I always forget about that automatic cleanup of blank fields. Thanks for reminding me.

Bill