* Merge two large family trees into one project?

[Helmersdale]

I have two large family trees - my family and my husbands family. I am wondering if it would be better to combine them into one very large tree, and, if so, how to do it. I have them both as Gedcom files on my computer (both made in the old Generations program) and have just bought Family History to update them. Mainly I want to add the next generation and also to attach photos to the members of the trees.
Many thanks, in advance, for any help given.
Nancy

[Jane]

Have you read through glossary:merge_compare_files|Merge Compare Files?

Assuming you only have a couple of people in each tree which overlap then it should be simply a case of making sure they merge correctly and checking any duplicated sources have been merged correctly.

[Helmersdale]

That's great, thank you. I hadn't read that as I didn't know the words to look for! I realise now that 'merge' is the key word. I will try it later.
Nancy

[tatewise]

Welcome to the FHUG Nancy

Since you have only just bought FH and planning to import from Generations please tread carefully.

I would advise you first spend some time becoming familiar with FH by studying the FH Sample Project.
See how_to:key_features_for_newcomers|> Key Features for Newcomers.

Then import your two Projects from Generations and tidy up the results, because it is likely that the Gedcom dialect used by Generations will have some discrepancies with FH that will need resolving.
See how_to:index#importing_to_family_historian|> Importing to Family Historian that is mentioned in the Key Features above.
There is specific advice for importing from Generations - do use it, as there seem to be several pitfalls.

Only when those have been resolved will it be safe to embark on the Merge, and in fact that tidy-up process is advised in the link Jane gave.

[Helmersdale]

I can't find the specific instructions for importing trees produced in Generations. They are Gedcom files. Can you send me a link to the correct page please. Thank you
Nancy

[LornaCraig]

Nancy, here is the link: how_to:import_generations|> Import from Generations (How To)

[tatewise]

Nancy, that link from Lorna was 4th in the list of orange links within how_to:index#importing_to_family_historian|> Importing to Family Historian that I gave you, but there are other important links in there too not to be overlooked!

[Helmersdale]

Many thanks for all the advice, brilliant so far! I've got both trees safely into Family Historian and all the information seems to be there and correct. Haven't had time to check thoroughly yet but will do. Two questions about the next step - to merge the two trees together. I would like to keep separate copies of the original trees plus the new, merged tree. Is this possible or would you not advise doing it? And if it is, when I add more info to the merged tree, will that info also show on the original, separate trees?
Again, thank you.
Nancy

[LornaCraig]

You can, and should, keep backup copies of the two separate trees before you perform the merge. This preserves your data in case anything goes wrong during the merge process. If you have created Projects from the two gedcom files , you can make copies of them from the Project window by selecting each in turn and using More Tasks > Copy Project. If they are still just free-standing Gedcom files you can make copies using Windows explorer.

Once you have merged the two, any updates you enter in the new combined Project will only appear in that Project. The data cannot jump across to the other Projects.

[Jane]

Although you can't automatically update multiple projects, it's a easy job to split off sections of a large tree to share with others using the "Export" gedcom options.

[davidm_uk]

Nancy,
You might want to take a look at this post Advice re Merging Projects (14980) where Mike gave me some useful advice about merging projects.
I've just about completed my task now, largely following that advice, but doing it in smaller chunks and doing some of the "merging" by transcribing data from one project to the other, (my task was complicated as the two trees contained quite a bit of partly duplicated data).

My added tips:

• Make copies of both of your source projects before you start, and keep them safe. I had to give up and start again a few times.
  If you do the merge in chunks (e.g. a sub tree with only one contact point to the new tree), also save those intermediate stages, so if something goes wrong you may not have to restart from the beginning.
  You can have two instances of FH running, one for each tree, so that you can compare them side by side. Unfortunately you can't copy and paste items (e.g. a fact or source records) between them, but you can copy text (names, dates, place names, source titles etc).