* TMG Import and Exhibits (Media)

[mitcheip]

I am bursting to start using FH fully particularly with the new witness and mapping functionality that has been promised in V6 but at the moment there is too much data missing from the TMG direct import. One of the biggest missings for me is the Caption/Description from Exhibits.

As a work around I thought I would check if the GEDCOM export from TMG held this data and it does.

I then decided to import the GEDCOM into FH and it didn't populate the “Note” field attached to the Multimedia item.

I then expanded the record details for the Multimedia item and there was the Caption under a link/note field. See the screen dump.

I then decided to try a file compare between a newly created direct import from TMG and the GEDCOM and I can see that it would Add the Link/Note field into the direct import version.

So two questions that I can't figure out:-
1. Can I do a file merge and only select the Multimedia records as the merge items rather than all the other record types as well? Ie Source, fact etc
2. If I can do the above how can I get the Caption data from the Link/Data field into the Note Field? The bit I'm looking for in the attached screen dump is “Harry Mitchell & Margaretha Georg abt 1920” to appear where “Test” appears.

Hope this is clear.

[jimlad68]

I came from TMG, but had my data structured there so that it was as close to gedcom standard as possible, so I had little problems moving via a Gedcom file. So if you have non gedcomable items I doubt the Gedcom route would be of much use, and if you hope eventually to use the FHV6 witness import facility, I think the direct import will be the only option. Ironically, bespoke import programs (from one genealogy program to another) was what the TMG writers had been proposing for some with what I think was called Genbridge and used not just by TMG, but of course needed regular updates.

As for the nitty gritty of your query I'm afraid I can't help. Does the FHV6 import from TMG do it differently to v5.0.11? It might be worth waiting to try that. I can understand your impatience, even if we all know patience is a virtue.

[tatewise]

The first advice is to wait for FH V6, and if it does not import what you want, then report to Calico Pie, as they will be inviting feedback to improve the TMG direct import.

If that does not solve the problem then you can merge just Multimedia records, but it needs a little preparation.
First use File > Import/Export > Export > GEDCOM File and leave No Individual Records selected.
Then tick every Exclude option except Unconnected Records.
For Multimedia Records select Use Existing File Paths for External File Links.
Click OK and continue despite the warnings and Save the GEDCOM file with a memorable name.
Now use File > Merge/Compare File with that saved GEDCOM and there will only be Multimedia records to merge.

The Link/Note problem is complicated if several different records all link to the same Exhibit/Multimedia record.
Then there can be a separate Link/Note caption for each link, all in the one Multimedia record.
It would be possible to write a simple Plugin to migrate all the Link/Note captions into the one Picture Note.

Perhaps you could explain how you hope to use the captions and where you want them to appear in reports, etc.

[mitcheip]

@Mike,

I was going to wait for V6 and I have already been reported this to Calico Pie but I was assuming that its not going to be high on their priority list given all the stuff coming out in the new release.

I was thinking that I could use the Notes as Captions to photographs in reports etc by ticking the "Use Note as Caption" box in the "Edit Media Item" Dialogue.

I must admit I hadn't tested this by putting a note against a picture but now I have and it didn't behave as I had expected.... but there is another step forward.

I can see from the Help that if you want to use a Note as Caption you have to put the note in the "Unlabelled" note box next to the "Use Note as Caption"check box and NOT in the "Normal" notes box. These unlabelled Notes then appears as captions in the reports. What's more the GEDCOM import populates this Unlabelled Note with the Description/Caption from TMG.

So if V6 doesn't solve this issue I'll test your Import of Multimedia only items and I'll nearly be there.

The only issue then will be to tick the 100's on "Use Note as Caption" check boxes. I have generated a query that lists all of the Multimedia Items where the Unlabelled Note is not Null. I presume it would need a Plugin to update the "Use Note as Caption" check boxes based on this list. I think that's going to be my next challenge having never looked at plug-ins before.......

Ian