* Merging Databases: Keeping Original IDs

[Debbie]

When I transferred to FH from Brothers Keeper, I decided to split the database into a 'main' database with all my proven linked families and several 'sub' databases of families I had not yet linked to mine. In doing this I kept all the original ID numbers.

Now I want to bring in one of these 'sub' databases into the main one. I have run the merge/compare feature and it imported ok. However, it has given the people in the sub database entirely new ID numbers. Is there any way I can merge the databases keeping my original ID numbers? I have not added any new people to the sub database since splitting them.

I really need to do this because all my notes refer to the 'old' ID numbers and it would mean starting again trying to identify everyone.[eek]

Hope you can help.

ID:3464

[JonAxtell]

Unless you know for sure that your original ID numbers in each database were not duplicated then it would be nigh on impossible to use your old ID numbers. For instance if you had ID #123 in your main database and one of the sub databases also had an ID #123 then keeping old IDs is not possible.

If you do have separate ranges of IDs, for instance your subs are guaranteed to start from 10000, 20000 or some other number and your main database had less than 10,000 records, then you can use the Work with Record Identifiers menu option off the Tool menu.

In each database copy the record IDs into the custom field. Perform the merge. Then after it's all done, use the generate new record numbers from the custom field option.

[Debbie]

Many thanks Jon, that worked a treat, much to my relief! [grin]