Family Historian User Group

Is it possible to make it slightly easier to unlink and link records. Currently to unlink a record from a spouse or parents one uses the toolbar edit and then unlink. To link one right clicks on the highlighted record and then add as appropriate. It would be much simpler to right click on the record and be able to unlink as well as link


http://www.fhug.org.uk/wishlist/wldispl ... lwlref=409

ID:3106

Hi, robacis, nobody has responded yet and i wonder why.

I guess you really mean it's the re-linking bit that's the real problem (*although* one rather nice refinement would be to unlink via a right-click on the individual in a diagram!).

As for re-linking, well for starters i never do this in the records window - always in a diagram where i can see the target parent(s) or spouse. Then it's a matter of adding a child or a spouse to a record you've highlighted.

Whether the addition is done via properties dialogue or dragging from the target diagram box, this step still needs a browse to find the existing record for linking (i.e. the one you just *un*linked).

In a database of any size this is a bit tricky to get right, so *before* unlinking i make a point of noting down the surname, first name *and* record number (which i always show in diagram boxes, mainly for this reason).

What else could the program do to make this bit easier? I can think of at least three ways this might be done. The first is a lot easier than the other two:

(a) Whether via Properties or diagram drag, supplement the context menu item 'Link Existing Record as Child/Spouse' by a new alternative 'Link LAST UNLINKED Record as Child/Spouse'. In effect this makes unlinking a kind of editing Cut of a whole individual, and the relinking an editing Paste.

A more complicated situation arises when you discover (for example) that the first three children of a couple were actually by one of the spouse's earlier marriage. Fixing this needs as many unlink/relinks as there are children involved.

Now this is where a program enhancement could really save time and minimise errors: allow multi-select of individuals and Unlink from parents. Keep them all in this 'Cut' buffer and allow *all* to be relinked as above: 'Link ALL LAST UNLINKED Records as Child'.

(b) Allow the unlinked child/spouse to remain visible in the diagram (rather as if you did the unlink followed by diagram right-click, Insert into Diagram, Descendant Tree, etc *without* having to browse and select the individual concerned). If nothing else, this facility would keep the unlinked individual visibly 'on the agenda' and be a ready reminder of the record(s) to select for relinking.

(c) Now this way would be revolutionary (Version 5, Simon?). Implement diagram drag-and-drop for a range of operations. By this i mean drag any individual's box onto any other's to give a context menu that might include:

* Create Association relationship between these individuals.

* Unlink and relink as Child (for the above problem).

* Add new link as Child (for adoption, etc).

* Merge these two Individuals (make them the same person).

* Show kin Relationship.

Admittedly there might be issues with the current state of the Movement Control Box, but i'm too lazy to figure those out.

Any takers?

Paul

Hi Paul,
This is looking a bit like a 'super-set' of Jon's suggestion at http://www.fhug.org.uk/cgi-bin/index.cg ... y&num=3531. Merge/Compare is already available on the Edit menu if you highlight the two individuals on a diagram; but only the last two highlighted are shown if you highlight more than two. I would certainly vote for a wish-list item that made editing from a diagram even better (as if FH wasn't already exceptionally good in this area!).