* Gedfamilies or Dropbox

[Chris32]

I have been using Gedfamilies to view my family tree on my Ipad and IPhone but realise that information on these devices is not updated when I add to my tree on my pc. Is there a way to make this happen automatically or do I have to go through the somewhat complicated procedure each time.
Would Dropbox be better? I see that it automatically updates but does the gedcom included my multimedia.?

[tatewise]

Chris, I have moved this to the Importing and Exporting Forum as it is nothing to do with using this FHUG web site.

According to fhugdownloads:contents:utility_gedfamilies|> Utility ~ GedFamilies and http://www.telgen.co.uk/gedfamilies/:

GedFamilies requires a companion program running on the PC to transfer family files to and from the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad or Android device. This program, GedFamilies Sync, can be downloaded free of charge from here. GedFamilies Sync transfers files using either a Wi-Fi network connection or a USB cable between the device and the PC.

It is unlikely that the FH GEDCOM file and Media will transfer successfully to GedFamilies without some adjustments, because the dialect of GEDCOM will be different, and FH has non-standard Media features such as Face Frames. The best solution is to use the Export Gedcom File Plugin and experiment with its options. If somebody could provide feedback on what dialect of GEDCOM and Media the GedFamilies program accepts, then I could add a specific option to the Plugin for that program.

GedFamilies Sync is a free download for a PC, so I might find time to see if that gives any clues.

BTW: The GEDCOM file does NOT usually include the Media files, which are stored separately. In FH they are stored within the Project in its Media sub-folder.

[Chris32]

I have been using Gedfamilies quite successfully. The only problem is that it does not update automatically. According to My History the GedFamilies app has been written to compliment FH so multimedia (photos) do transfer.

Sorry if I posted to the wrong section. I was hoping someone who used either Gedfamilies or Dropbox could advise me.

[tatewise]

Chris, yes, hopefully a GedFamilies user will offer their advice, but they might not synchronise it with FH in the same way as you.

For example, is GedFamilies compatible with FH V6, which has these new characteristics:

• Its GEDCOM is UTF-16 encoded, that isn't metioned in GedFamilies character sets.
• It has Place Records using a non-standard GEDCOM extension.
• It has Fact Witnesses using a non-standard GEDCOM extension.

So FH V6 users probably have to use the Export Gedcom File Plugin to adjust those features.

If the files are compatible then perhaps Dropbox offers a solution, but they say:

GedFamilies Sync transfers files using either a Wi-Fi network connection or a USB cable between the device and the PC.

However, that does not mention syncing via the cloud such as Dropbox.

Could you describe how you currently migrate your GEDCOM and Media from FH V5 to GedFamilies, and explain where the problems exist.

Can you refer me to where https://www.my-history.co.uk/ says GedFamilies complements FH.

[Chris32]

To answer your last question I had an e-mail from My History after I attended a FH course in Connisborough last year. The article is dated October 2013 and is headed." Using Family Historian Files on a Mobile Device." It states, "The good news for FH users is that there is an excellent app called Gedfamilies". It goes on to say "it stores its data in a type of file called a GEDCOM. It has been written to compliment FH so that as well as all your data any photographs you have linked to the program will also be available for viewing on your mobile device.

It is some time since I put FH on my IPad but I know I synced using ITunes. I also remember the GEDCOM file was converted to SQLite format first, but as I am not at all technical I have no idea how it works. Originally I followed the instructions as to how to do the copy/transfer given by telegen.co.uk

[tatewise]

There are some conflicting details hidden in what you quote.
You quote the Email saying:

it (GedFamilies?) stores its data in a type of file called a GEDCOM.

Later you say:

the GEDCOM file was converted to SQLite format first.

which is typical of iPad/Android apps, i.e. they use SQLite format NOT GEDCOM format, so there is NO way you can transfer GEDCOM via DropBox to GedFamilies.

You also say:

I put FH on my IPad synced using iTunes.

You cannot put FH itself on an iPad, so I suspect you mean the GEDCOM/SQLite database files.

I believe the only option is to use the GedFamilies Sync program on your PC to convert FH GEDCOM to GedFamilies SQLite format and transfer that to the iPad using iTunes.

I would put money on the conversion NOT handling every FH GEDCOM feature. So, as with every other genealogy program/app I have investigated, the Export Gedcom File Plugin is the best option for translating FH GEDCOM dialect and Media files into another program GEDCOM dialect and Media file formats.

I think you need to refresh your memory about how you transfer your FH files to GedFamilies using GedFamilies Sync and iTunes as instructed by http://www.telgen.co.uk/gedfamilies/. Unfortunately, this data transfer process requires a modicum of understanding of the technology.

[Chris32]

Sorry for the confusion I've caused, it is obviously due to my lack of "a modicum of understanding the technology" as you say. Of course I realise one can't transfer FH to an IPad but I thought you would realise I meant transfer the data NOT the program.

I downloaded the instructions from Telgen then went through them step by step and transferred my data and media using WFI. I have all I need now on my IPad should I wish to view it when visiting an archive or show family my research.

Thanks for attempting to answer my query.