Family Historian User Group

Hello again,

I thought I'd try the free 2 week trial of FindMyPast so I've saved and exported a GEDCOM from my FH7 project and uploaded it to FMP. It's mainly appearing correctly but some of the info for a few people seems to be based on old info I input previously into FH7.

For example I had a person in my tree a few weeks ago whose first name I didn't know so I originally entered it as '?'. But I've since found it and it's definitely entered correctly in the project now but after uploading the GEDCOM it's still appearing in my FMP tree as '?'.

Does FMP somehow cache old info that I might have researched previously? I've tried deleting the tree from FMP and then exporting the GEDCOM again from FH (even using different filenames and deleting any old GEDCOMs) but it still shows as the old first name of '?' within FMP.

I've examined the info for the person's record within FH7 and it's all definitely there. I'm exporting using the default settings and can't see anything that would cause it. I even tried updating the notes for that person with some test data and that shows up correctly in the imported GEDCOM, but their first name refuses to show as anything except '?'.

It might be a fault with FMP as it all shows correctly within FH7 but is there anything I might have missed that's causing the data not to export completely using my most recent edits?

Actually I might have found the problem. I tried exporting a GEDCOM with just his name. When I opened it using Notepad I could see the following entry:

2 GIVN ?

Then when I look in detail at the record in FH7 and expand all the + signs I can see I've somehow got the 'Given' name field as '?'. His name displays correctly in the 'Main' tab as well as diagrams and everywhere else though. It must be down to my error during entry. Is there some kind of cleanup I can run to strip the given name field or use what's showing on the 'Main' tab?

Simon, I have moved this to the Importing and Exporting forum that is more appropriate.

Yes, various fields such as Given name (GIVN) will upset FMP (and other products too).
It would be unlikely you entered that field. It was probably imported from another product GEDCOM.

You can simply delete that field if no longer needed via the All tab of the Property Box.

To export to other products, there is the Export Gedcom File plugin from the Plugin Store.
It has rules for two dozen products (including FMP) that tailor the GEDCOM to suit them.
For example, the FMP rules for the Given (GIVN) field ensure the main Name is not upset in the way you discovered.

Thanks Mike. It's possible I may have imported from another GEDCOM but I don't remember doing it.

I don't seem to be able to delete that field via the property box of the record - the only options that I have when right clicking are copy & paste:



Also it looks like the 'given' field might also be present on at least a couple of other records. Is there an easy way to mass delete it from any other records that are using it?

Oh, I see that just left clicking then pressing DEL can delete it. But that only deletes it from that particular record. What's the process for bulk deleting all other records using it - do I need to run a query?

Just to make sure I've got them all, I'm going through all my records manually and expanding the name field. I seem to have quite a few records where 'name' has a plus sign that can be expanded and then shows 'given' and 'surname' fields.

So from what you're saying, the Name field in the [All] tab should just be "John Smith" in one field and shouldn't (or doesn't need to be):

.Name: John Smith
.Given: John
.Surname: Smith

And it's fine for me to highlight each 'given' and 'surname' fields and manually delete them so that every name is just one field?

You can delete them in bulk with a Query.
Open the Query Window and use cog Menu > New Custom Query with Name Names and Type Individual
On the Columns tab, use the Fields list and + expand Name and select & > add Given and Surname

Run the Query with the blue circle & white triangle icon.

Hold down Alt key while clicking Name Given heading to sort names to the top.
Select the cells with Given names and hit Delete key.

Repeat that for Name Surname column.

If you think there may be other unwanted fields add them on there Columns tab and repeat whole process.

Thanks Mike, I just tried that on one example but it didn't seem to do what was expected. The custom query returned a long list of results that had both a 'Name(Given)' and 'Name(Surname)' column. So this is the custom query result:



But when I highlighted and deleted the first result (as a test) it just removed the entire name record (which I undid before losing it). You can see from this screenshot that the record didn't actually have the 'given' or 'surname' fields:



Unlike this record which does have the 'given' field:



I'm sure this is probably user error on my part but the custom query doesn't seem to give me the results I was expecting.

You need to choose Given and Surname from the Fields list similar to Given and Surname on the All tab.
Do NOT choose Name:GIVEN or Name:SURNAME that extract the Given name and Surname from the Name field.

I think I understand - so I need to select as in the following?



(just posting this image to remind myself in future!)

Yes, you will see when added that they identify the GIVN and SURN tags that you saw in the GEDCOM file.

While cleaning up your Project it would be wise to check for any other 'unusual' data.

See FHUG Knowledge Base Importing to Family Historian especially any section dealing with the product you imported from.
Also, checkout Handling Uncategorised Data Fields.

That's great, thanks Mike. It seems to be clean now and GEDCOM is uploading fine to FMP. I'll keep an eye out for other unusual data fields.

I don't think it all came from a previous import as some of the problem records were ones I entered manually recently. But I didn't even know about the 'given' field so I wouldn't have set them up myself. Maybe it came from an internet data match or something.

Anyway I'll have a read of those topics.

Thanks for your help!

It is unlikely you entered those Given and Surname fields by hand as that would be done via right-clicks on the All tab.

To export GEDCOM to other products I strongly advise you use the Export Gedcom File plugin from the Plugin Store.
It has rules for two dozen products (including FMP) that tailor the GEDCOM to suit them.

The built-in File > Import/Export > Export > GEDCOM File command essentially creates FH compatible GEDCOM.

See the FHUG Knowledge Base advice Exporting a Family Tree with/without Media.
That explains various options and advises on keeping sensitive data private for online websites like FMP.

tatewise wrote: ↑

18 Feb 2021 14:53

To export GEDCOM to other products I strongly advise you use the Export Gedcom File plugin from the Plugin Store.
It has rules for two dozen products (including FMP) that tailor the GEDCOM to suit them.

I've had a search on the plugin store but couldn't find an export GEDCOM plugin. The only one I could see was 'Export GEDCOM to TNG plugin'.

I tried searching for 'export' and 'gedcom' but couldn't find it - I don't suppose you have a link?

Unfortunately, you have searched just as I am updating that plugin to its next version.
It now needs to be approved by the FH administrators which should happen today.
I will post here when it gets approved...

Thanks Mike, no problem, I'll check back later.

Export Gedcom File Plugin Version 4.4 has just been approved.

Thanks Mike, trying it now