Family Historian User Group

Hello I hope someone can help? I had a new laptop (Windows 11) a couple of months ago and did a Backup from the old laptop (V6.2) saving it in Dropbox. The restore didn't work so I took advice and started again using the Backup and Restore Plug-in. It appears to have worked with all my custom settings there. However the Split Tree function isn't responding. I have used this numerous times before. On this occasion I was using a named list of direct ancestors in order to delete all other individuals. Strangely when I just selected to delete Submitters and Submissions it worked straight away. I'm using a copy of my main file and have a backup on Dropbox.

Julie, I've started a new thread for your problem as I'm not sure it is related to the plugin.

I cannot think of a reason why any Backup and Restore operation would impact the built-in command File > Split Tree Helper.

Can you give more details about the command not responding? What happens when you click Perform Tasks?

Delete Submitter records and Submission records is completely unrelated to deleting Individual records, so not sure why that is relevant.

Thank you for your reply. When I used the Split Tree helper I was selecting the option to delete everyone not found by the Query for Direct Ancestors, then I selected the starting person after choosing the other options. Then I pressed delete and the timer circle appeared. After a couple of minutes the message appeared 'program not responding ' I'm not sure where 'Perform Task' is.

Sorry, the FH V6 'Delete' button was changed to the 'Perform Tasks' button in FH V7

I tried to follow your description but could not find a Query called 'Direct Ancestors'.
So do you mean the 'Ancestors' Query or a custom Query of your own?

Anyway, you say the Starting Person was chosen before using the 'Delete' button but I don't think that is possible.
You must use 'Delete' first and then choose the Starting Person.

However, does the same problem occur with the Family Historian Sample Project?
( Remember you can use Edit > Undo to reverse the deletions or reset the Sample Project via the Project Window. )
If the problem only affects your own family tree project then perhaps it has some relationships that upset that Query.
If you just run the Query on its own with the same Starting Person what happens?

Hello again Mike and sorry for the delay.
Yes I was using a custom query and yes I pressed delete before choosing the starting person. In the past this query which I created - restricting the result to 5 generations and including descendants of the result set - has been no problem.

I have since tried some different scenarios.

Using the sample project I have tried both the normal Ancestors query and also my custom query and I can successfully use the Split File Helper for these. However it does not work using one of my own gedcoms [ I have tried using various copies of my main file ] and still get the 'FH not responding' message.
I've tried re-installing version 6.2.
I don't know what else to try.
Regards Julie

I suspect there is some new relationship in your Project tree that causes the Query to loop indefinitely, but I'm guessing.

Post your custom Query as an attachment here so it can be reviewed.

Hello Mike

My custom query works ok with the sample project but I've attached it here for you to see.

The other thing I thought of - due to me bodging my attempt at a back-up - although I managed it in the past, and then using the Plug-in, might the folders be messed up?

Regards Julie

Hello Mike I'm continuing to try and solve my problem. I have over 58,000 individuals, 15 projects and 10 stand alone gedcom files. I've tried using a random selection of these to perform a split tree for either ancestors, descendants or my custom queries. In some instances - either in a project or a stand alone file - it performs perfectly but then a few don't, in particular my main file both in its project file or as a stand alone gedcom. Also when I open my main file and ask it to save a copy of the gedcom, the window which opens shows my main project file and not my project list and the message say it can't be saved there.
Did you try out my custom query?
I'm on the verge of deleting the whole program and re-installing and then using a back-up from my very old extremely slow laptop!
Regards Julie

Sorry Julie, I've been a bit distracted the last few days with home office stuff!

I cannot see any significant problem with your Query 'Ancestors 5 gens and decs' except that it does not include any descendants so its name is misleading.
I'm guessing but I wonder what happens if an ancestor has a parent who is a child of a child of the original ancestor forming a kind of infinite ancestral loop.
Do the problem symptoms arise regardless of who is the Starting Person or must the Starting Person be on a particular branch of the tree?

I doubt if reinstalling FH will make any difference.

I don't understand what commands you are using to open and copy your main Project. Some screenshots might help.
How do you open your main Project and separately open your main GEDCOM in standalone mode?

Hi I have set my Main File as the default when FH opens. The Backup is set for Dropbox..
The problem occurs regardless of the starting individual. I've tried splitting various projects which are the results of Splits I've performed in the past for different branches of my family and other people's ancestry
They seem happy to work. The FH sample project will also perform a Split successfully.

Due to the Copy Gedcom facility not working I performed Copy and Paste in Windows Explorer to create a 'Main File 2' on order to keep my main file intact.

I will delete my Custom Query however I do have problems using Standard Queries with Split Tree Helper. They are fine otherwise - the Standard Queries do work and give results.

I created a Named List for the Ancestors of ' Individual X ' and also added a Flag to that list and tried to perform a Split using those two Queries in Split Tree helper but again I get spooling and then no response.

Sorry Julie, but you'll have to be more explicit. I cannot find a Copy Gedcom command.
There is a File > Gedcom File Tasks > Save a Gedcom File Copy... command. Is that what you mean?

It is also not clear exactly what you Copy and Paste in Windows Explorer.
It is not usually advisable to use Windows Explorer as it is too easy to upset the FH Project folder & file structure.

Does your File > Project Window list all your Projects without any unusual messages and without any Last Update values of 01/01/1971 00:00 which is a major alarm? Is your Default Project listed with a green tick?

If you produce an All Relatives Diagram with one of your Starting Persons as the Diagram root does it have coloured ribbons linking duplicate individuals/couples together?

Have you tried the File > Validate... command?

There is clearly a significant fault somewhere so it may be necessary to send your GEDCOM and Query to CP for them to investigate.

Hello Mike
Sorry yes -I used Save a Gedcom file copy.

I have in the past saved a copy of my 'Main File' as a stand alone Gedcom below the Project Folders list, then renamed it 'Main File Copy' I have done this in the past with no adverse effects. This is also where I have stored Gedcoms after using the Split Tree Helper. If I use the Save a Gedcom Copy function it opens my Main Project and suggests I save there, which I do, but then it won't open from FH, but will open in Windows Explorer.

My 'Main File' is the default Project and has the green tick when I open the Project Window.

I do have the coloured ribbons indicating duplicates when I open an All Relatives diagram.

Last night I uninstalled FH from my laptop [ I still have the original back up files from my old laptop stored on Dropbox and a memory stick and also all installation files and keys ] . I then re-installed V6 and then without restoring the Back-up for customisations etc . I tested the Split Tree Helper. It failed again using my 'Main File' and any copies of it I have, but worked ok for all my projects except the 'Main File' project.

The Project window shows all my projects and I have not received any unusual messages. I have used File > Validate and it showed no problems.

I am going back to my old laptop to check whether the problem with Split Tree Helper existed before I attempted to Back up and Restore on my new laptop. I had not noticed a problem or used Split Tree Helper in a while.
Regards Julie

Hello Mike
I've now looked back at my old laptop, and lo and behold the problem is there too With hindsight I should have checked that originally but thought it was a Backup and Restore problem on my new laptop. The situation on the old laptop is the same - my Main Project will not complete a Split File action although my other projects will.

I've tried opening old backups but they behave the same way.

I will contact Calico Pie and see if they can help. Thanks for all your advice

Regards Julie