* Moving data from place fields to new field

[RCasey]

Hello

I am fairly new to Family Historian, and have been busy cleaning up my file brought over from an old version of FTM (version 16).
FTM 16, didn't have a separate field for places or comments / attributes, so I have a lot of data in the "place" field that needs to be moved.
I have been using Mike Tate's awesome "Change any fact tag" plugin, and using this have created the fields I need for my custom tags. Now I just have to move the data.

Is there an existing plugin to move data from one field to another? I've looked through the plugin store, but may have missed something. (I am very slow at code stuff, so would take me some time to create my own)
I'm too far into this to use the "import from Ancestry or FTM plugin", as I've already spent hours cleaning up sources, and relinking all my media, plus adding new date, so would rather not revert to my old file.

thanks in advance for any advice

[Jane]

It might be helpful, to see some examples of the data you need to move. The old limitation means different people recorded the information in the place field differently. For example for an occupation you could have just the occupation or occupation and the place.

[tatewise]

There isn't a published Plugin to move data from one field to another, because as Jane says, each user's criteria are different.
I have a number of custom Plugins that others have used, and that probably can be adapted to your needs.
However, we need to know EXACTLY what data needs to be moved, and some examples would be helpful.
Either screenshots or snippets of Gedcom would be ideal, but details of the criteria are also needed.

[RCasey]

Hi Jane and Mike

Thanks for answering.
I should have specified. I want to move everything that is in the place field for certain tags to their new field.
The data that is in the place field, is essentially a note, but I want it to have it's own little field, so I can isolate the information.

An example would be, in a family tag, I have a tag "Witnesses" for the witnesses at the wedding.
I made a new custom tag Witnesses, with an attribute field, and now using the "Change any fact tag", have moved all the old Witness facts tot he new one. All the witness names are still in the place field, but that is all that is in the place field.

All of my Occupations are im the place field.

I had individual census tags that have the following information
Census dstrict - family and dwelling - Spelling of name in census - age - marital status.
The year is already in the proper field. My source tells me which census I am referring to (1871 Canada - Nova Scotia - Guysborough County etc).
I also want to move this all to the new census field.
data looks like this.
I was tracking how they vary wildly in age sometimes, and how the name spellings changed, and sometimes there were nicknames in the census. (It's cool how FH talls you their approximate actual age at the time of an event)
1871 Molasses Harbour - Dwe 070 Fam 071 - Bengeman King - 33 years old - married
1881 Did not appear in Guysborough
1881 Havre Boucher - Dwe 169 - Benjamin King - 43 years old - married
1891 White Head - Fam 075 - Benjamine King - 65 years old - married
1901 White Head - Dwe 079 Fam 093 - Benjamin King - 66 years old - married

My file has over 46,000 individuals in it, so when I bring up the "places" list, it's quite a mess, since FTM let you put anything in that field.

thanks again

[RCasey]

A gedcom snippet

4 TEXT Isaac RoiNova Scotia, Antigonish Catholic DioceseName Isaac RoiEvent Type MarriageEvent Date 25 Nov 1839Event Place St. Paul, Havre Boucher, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, CanadaGender MaleFather's Name Isaac RoiMother's Name Janette La
5 CONC vandierSpouse's Name Marie CosteSpouse's Father's Name Jean CosteSpouse's Mother's Name Genevieve MuceCiting this Record"Nova Scotia, Antigonish Catholic Diocese, 1823-1905," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ar
5 CONC k:/61903/1:1:JV91-FR2 : 8 December 2014), Isaac Roi and Marie Coste, 25 Nov 1839; citing Marriage, St. Paul, Havre Boucher, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada, Catholic Church parishes, Antigonish Diocese, Nova Scotia.
1 SEX M
1 BIRT
2 DATE 15 NOV 1760
2 PLAC Port Toulouse
2 SOUR @S799945@
3 DATA
4 TEXT 26 July 1771 at Neireichak [although not stated]
5 CONT Jean Coste, age 10 years, born 15 November to Claude Coste and Marguerite Vignot (godparents Alexa des roches and Marguerite Bourgeois)
1 BAPM
2 DATE 26 JUL 1771
2 PLAC Neireichak
2 SOUR @S799945@
3 DATA
4 TEXT 26 July 1771 at Neireichak [although not stated]
5 CONT Jean Coste, age 10 years, born 15 November to Claude Coste and Marguerite Vignot (godparents Alexa des roches and Marguerite Bourgeois)
1 DEAT
2 DATE 12 OCT 1844
2 PLAC Havre Boucher
1 FAMC @F1292@
1 FAMS @F1309@
1 FAMS @F1308@
1 REFN 1995
1 CHAN
2 DATE 6 AUG 2017
3 TIME 01:36:37
0 @I1996@ INDI
1 NAME Genevieve /Mius/
2 SOUR @S8978@
3 DATA
4 TEXT Date of Import: Sep 5, 1999
2 SOUR @S875974@
3 DATA
4 TEXT Isaac RoiNova Scotia, Antigonish Catholic DioceseName Isaac RoiEvent Type MarriageEvent Date 25 Nov 1839Event Place St. Paul, Havre Boucher, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, CanadaGender MaleFather's Name Isaac RoiMother's Name Janette La
5 CONC vandierSpouse's Name Marie CosteSpouse's Father's Name Jean CosteSpouse's Mother's Name Genevieve MuceCiting this Record"Nova Scotia, Antigonish Catholic Diocese, 1823-1905," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ar
5 CONC k:/61903/1:1:JV91-FR2 : 8 December 2014), Isaac Roi and Marie Coste, 25 Nov 1839; citing Marriage, St. Paul, Havre Boucher, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada, Catholic Church parishes, Antigonish Diocese, Nova Scotia.
1 SEX F
1 BIRT
2 DATE ABT 1786
2 SOUR @S8802@
1 DEAT
2 DATE 25 MAR 1866
2 PLAC Cape Jack, Nova Scotia
2 SOUR @S8802@
1 FAMC @F1310@
1 FAMS @F1308@
1 REFN 1996
1 CHAN
2 DATE 6 AUG 2017
3 TIME 01:36:41
0 @I1997@ INDI
1 NAME Bengeman /King/
2 SOUR @S875974@
3 DATA
4 TEXT Name Benjamin RoiEvent Type BaptismEvent Date 01 Jan 1841Event Place St. Paul, Havre Boucher, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, CanadaGender MaleBirth Date 02 Nov 1840Father's Name Isaac RoiMother's Name Marguerite DecosteCiting this Reco
5 CONC rd"Nova Scotia, Antigonish Catholic Diocese, 1823-1905," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JV95-Q91 : 8 December 2014), Isaac Roi in entry for Benjamin Roi, 01 Jan 1841; citing Baptism, St. Paul, Havr
5 CONC e Boucher, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada, Catholic Church parishes, Antigonish Diocese, Nova Scotia.
1 SEX M
1 BIRT
2 DATE 16 SEP 1834
2 PLAC as listed in 1901 census (most likely wrong)
2 SOUR @S2562@
3 QUAY 0
1 BIRT
2 DATE 2 NOV 1840
2 PLAC Havre Boucher
2 SOUR @S8978@
3 DATA
4 TEXT Nov 2, 1840
3 QUAY 2
2 SOUR @S9695@
3 DATA
4 TEXT Catherine King, died 1944 in Antigonish, Antigonish County - Item can be found in Registration Year: 1944 - Book: 185 - Page: 878 - father born Havre Boucher
3 QUAY 2
2 SOUR @S963662@
3 DATA
4 TEXT Name Events Relationships View
5 CONT Benjamin Roi
5 CONT
5 CONT Nova Scotia, Antigonish Catholic Diocese, 1823-1905
5 CONT birth:
5 CONT 2 November 1840
5 CONT baptism:
5 CONT 1 January 1841
5 CONT St. Paul, Havre Boucher, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada
5 CONT father:
5 CONT Isaac Roi
5 CONT mother:
5 CONT Marguerite Decoste
5 CONT
3 QUAY 3
2 SOUR @S875974@
3 DATA
4 TEXT Name Benjamin RoiEvent Type BaptismEvent Date 01 Jan 1841Event Place St. Paul, Havre Boucher, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, CanadaGender MaleBirth Date 02 Nov 1840Father's Name Isaac RoiMother's Name Marguerite DecosteCiting this Reco
5 CONC rd"Nova Scotia, Antigonish Catholic Diocese, 1823-1905," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JV95-Q91 : 8 December 2014), Isaac Roi in entry for Benjamin Roi, 01 Jan 1841; citing Baptism, St. Paul, Havr
5 CONC e Boucher, Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada, Catholic Church parishes, Antigonish Diocese, Nova Scotia.
3 QUAY 3
1 BAPM
2 DATE 1 JAN 1841
1 _ATTR
2 TYPE Census Individual
2 DATE 1871
2 PLAC Molasses Harbour - Dwe 070 Fam 071 - Bengeman King - 33 years old
1 OCCU
2 DATE 1871
2 PLAC Fisherman
2 SOUR @S1835@
1 _ATTR
2 TYPE Census Individual
2 DATE 1881
2 PLAC Did not appear in Guysborough
1 _ATTR
2 TYPE Census Individual
2 DATE 1881
2 PLAC Havre Boucher - Dwe 169 - Benjamin King - 43 years old - married
1 OCCU
2 DATE 1881
2 PLAC Fisherman
2 SOUR @S1921@
1 _ATTR
2 TYPE Census Individual
2 DATE 1891
2 PLAC White Head - Fam 075 - Benjamine King - 65 years old
1 _ATTR
2 TYPE Census Individual
2 DATE 1901
2 PLAC White Head - Dwe 079 Fam 093 - Benjamin King - 66 years old
1 DEAT
2 DATE 7 NOV 1914
2 PLAC Port Felix
2 SOUR @S9695@
3 DATA
4 TEXT Benjamin King, died 1914 in Guysborough, Guysborough County - Item can be found in Registration Year: 1914 - Book: 38 - Page: 119 - Number: 238
1 BURI
2 PLAC Port Felix
2 SOUR @S9695@
3 DATA
4 TEXT Benjamin King, died 1914 in Guysborough, Guysborough County - Item can be found in Registration Year: 1914 - Book: 38 - Page: 119 - Number: 238
1 FAMC @F275@
1 FAMS @F283@
1 FAMS @F1311@
1 REFN 1997
1 CHAN
2 DATE 6 AUG 2017
3 TIME 09:16:00
0 @I1998@ INDI

[tatewise]

So if I understand correctly, you only need the Place (2 PLAC) data to be moved for three Fact types.
The rules for moving the data must be very precise.
e.g.

1. Standard Occupation tag
   1 OCCU
   Place data to become Occupation value on same line as 1 OCCU
2. Family record custom Witnesses tag
   1 _ATTR
   2 TYPE Witnesses
   Place data to become Witnesses value on same line as 1 _ATTR
3. Individual record custom Census Individual tag
   1 _ATTR
   2 TYPE Census Individual
   Place data to become Census Individual value on same line as 1 _ATTR
   
   However, I would strongly advise that you use the standard Census (1 CENS) tag for these facts.
   See how_to:recording_census_records|> Recording from a Census Record for the reasons for this advice.
   
   Then the Place data could be moved as follows but needs to be agreed in detail:
   Census district retained in Place field
   Family and dwelling maybe moved to Address or a labelled Note
   Spelling of name in census moved to a labelled Note
   Age moved to the Age field
   Marital status move to a labelled Note

[RCasey]

Yes, that is pretty much what I'm trying to do.

I just looked at the video for Ancestral Sources, it's pretty cool, but, my census data is too inconsistent to try movimg it to separate fields. Some of it isn't directly sourced. If I was working in my main county of interest, then the format is like the example I have given. If an individual moved to a different county, then I usually added that to the start, if they moved to a different province, then the province may have gotten added for quickl reference, and different country etc.
For the time being, I would just like to move to the Census Individual tag.

If I am wokring with a specific family in the future, and want to track them properly, then I can use the census (1 CENS) tag to update.
I am in the process of making sure everything is sourced properly, as it is so much easier to source with FH.

I have alot of tags that I know are ending up in the place field. I'm still tracking them all down. As I find them, I'm creating a new tag with the proper attribute slot, to eventually send the info to.

Baptismal sponsors is one example - data from 2 PLAC, needs to move over to 1 _ATTR

1 _ATTR
2 TYPE Baptismal Sponsors
2 PLAC John Reardon and Catherine Cashin
1 FAMC @F415@
1 FAMS @F412@
1 FAMS @F405@
1 OBJE @O56@
2 _ASID 1
1 NOTE @N207@
1 REFN 525
1 CHAN
2 DATE 6 AUG 2017
3 TIME 02:13:17
0 @I526@ INDI

[tatewise]

It is not just Ancestral Sources that only works with the standard Census (1 CENS) event, but also the Census Report and the Lookup Missing Census Facts Plugin and the Focus Window online how_to:internet_data_matches|> Internet Data Matches. Also if you need to export your data to another product such as an online tree to obtain hints then only standard Census facts will work.

However, it sounds like you are planning to use the Census Individual custom attribute temporarily until you can review all the Sources and use Ancestral Sources. After which I guess you will delete the Census Individual facts?

Since you are still creating custom attributes, a Plugin cannot be hard coded to move the Place data for specific attributes.
So would it be better if the Plugin asked you which fact needs its Place data to be moved to the fact value?

[RCasey]

Hi Mike

I will definitely start using the census1 tab, once I have my almost 20 year old file mess cleaned up.

I've been making a list, and up to 14 facts that have been used alot that need switching.
Any that only had a few instances of, I just copied and pasted into the new field.

"So would it be better if the Plugin asked you which fact needs its Place data to be moved to the fact value?"
Yes, that would be absolutely great!
Don't go out of your way, though. All your help is very much appreciated.
I'm not familiar with this particular code, and was about to start "script monkeying" , which never ends well, haha

[tatewise]

Give me a day or so and I should come up with something.

[tatewise]

In fact on checking my custom Plugins I already have one that should work.
It is attached to FTM to FH6 custom facts corrections (13081).
Ignore most of the posting and just follow the instructions on how to run the Plugin just above the attachment.

[RCasey]

Thanks Mike

I'll check it out.

[RCasey]

Worked like a charm! Thanks Mike