Family Historian User Group

In an attempt to clean up years of sourcing in RootsMagic using a great variety of techniques of varying quality, I've decided to do a clean start in FH7 for just my direct ancestors. The starting point was to export only direct ancestors from my main RM database to a new RM 9 file but without any sources. I created a few citations using a custom source template that I plan to use generically for most source types -- census, births/baptisms, marriages, deaths/burials, etc.

When I imported the RM9 file into FH7, the sources appeared where they should be. Now, I would like to input additional sources using Ancestral Sources because of its ability to attach sources to related people/events/etc, (ie) source driven data entry.

But I can't get AS to 'see' my custom template. What am I doing wrong?

Thanks,
--Jim

If you haven't seen it then I'd suggest watching my video on using templated sources in Ancestral Sources (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yxPQHlHgsg). Around 4 to 5 mins in I talk about making sure the template is included in the project itself. This is required for AS to be able to see it.

Then in Ancestral Sources go to Tools->Source Template Editor and choose the Source Type. Then click New and choose your template from the 'All Templates' list. For some of the standard field names (e.g. Event Name, Location) then AS will set some standard Keywords (e.g. {SOURCETYPE}, {PLACE}) although you can change these or add to them. When you've saved this template you'll be able to select this template when you create a new source.

If you struggle with any parts of this then let me know and I can add some more detail.

Best wishes

Nick

Nick, thanks for your prompt and focused response. I've moved forward a few steps.

1. In the Source Template Editor, I can find and select my RM9 template under All Templates. Then Save and Close. If I go back into the Source Template Editor, my RM9 template is there under the A.S. Source Templates dropdown.

2. But... On the main screen, having selected 'Census editor,' Under Type:, Region:, Year:, Date:, my template does not appear. Is my template missing those identifiers? or??

Thanks again for your ongoing help.
--Jim

All these things are mentioned in the video but a couple of things to check:
You can only use source templates in AS if you are using recording method 1 (splitter sources).
You need to have 'Use Templated Sources' ticked under Tools->Options

You should then see a link 'Edit Templated Source...' on the main screen to the left of the 'Type' drop-down (if you are in Census mode).

Click that link and choose your source template from the top.

Generally your work flow should be to link your image, enter all the information into the Ancestral Sources fields, census grid, etc., deal with the source text, and then go into the source template before you save. Depending on how you've set up your template you'll find that some of the template fields will be automatically populated from the information entered on the main screen. You can then fill in the others before saving.

Jim says: On the main screen, having selected 'Census editor', Under Type:, Region:, Year:, Date:, my template does not appear.
If I understand correctly, Jim is referring to the Create census entries data entry mode and those options choose the Census document characteristics and associated Census Template, but that is nothing to do with Source Templates.
It is the Source: Edit Templated Source... top left that involves the Source Template.

tatewise wrote: ↑

28 Mar 2023 14:41

Jim says: On the main screen, having selected 'Census editor', Under Type:, Region:, Year:, Date:, my template does not appear.
If I understand correctly, Jim is referring to the Create census entries data entry mode and those options choose the Census document characteristics and associated Census Template, but that is nothing to do with Source Templates.
It is the Source: Edit Templated Source... top left that involves the Source Template.

Yes that's what I thought he meant which is why I explained this:

You should then see a link 'Use Templated Source...' on the main screen to the left of the 'Type' drop-down (if you are in Census mode).

Click that link and choose your source template from the top.

But you're right the word is 'Edit' not 'Use' (I'm at work so was working from memory).