Searching for duplicates.

waltonnz · Post by **waltonnz** » 21 Feb 2011 23:19

Is there a way of searching for possible duplicates in FH? I've been doing a tree where there are many names the same with many first names only. As some persons married several times, I've found several duplicates already. I'd like to have FH search for me to save me a lot of time.

ID:5010

Post by **tatewise** » 22 Feb 2011 14:19

There is a similar posting and wish list request at:
http://www.fhug.org.uk/cgi-bin/index.cg ... y&num=4879

I don't believe FH offers duplicate name checks or warnings directly, but Custom Queries could help solve your problem.
Have a look in the Knowledge Base at FHUG Downloads for examples, in particular:
Name Details of People http://www.fhug.org.uk/wiki/doku.php?id ... amedetails
Surname Summary http://www.fhug.org.uk/wiki/doku.php?id ... me_summary
Find Individuals with Similar Names http://www.fhug.org.uk/wiki/doku.php?id ... ilar_names

Once you find duplicates, you can use Edit > Merge/Compare Records to collate them together.

waltonnz · Post by **waltonnz** » 22 Feb 2011 20:06

Thank you Tatewise. The answers don't fit the bill in my case, but appreciate your input. I'll just have to do it the hard way by checking out each individual. Despite the fact it doesn't do everything I want it to do FH is still the best genealogy database I've used thus far and I've used a few.

oldtimer47 · Post by **oldtimer47** » 23 Feb 2011 07:13

There is an application which I use that does this. As well as checking names you can also check other details to minimise false matches.

http://www.mudcreeksoftware.com/genmatcher.htm

It isn't free (19.95 US Dollars) but it does the job.

Hope this helps
Peter

waltonnz · Post by **waltonnz** » 23 Feb 2011 09:29

Thank you Peter, I'll take a look at it.

goodwin2 · Post by **goodwin2** » 26 Mar 2011 01:54

This is a topic that I have addressed a couple of times in the Wish List Requests.

I recently downloaded a free genealogy software program - Family Tree Builder - which does a search for duplicates and puts the results in an Excel spreadsheet. Results are not as specific as I would prefer but it has pinpointed a number of actual duplications and some 'iffys'. Among the 'iffys' is the old practice of naming children after their deceased siblings.

The overall program doesn't particularly impress me so don't plan to use it as my main file. BUT having the duplicate search is an assist to cleaning up my LARGE file. Still would like FH to put in the 'check for duplicates upon input' feature - CAN'T be that big a programming problem and it IS on the wish list. Would think it should be a top item for voting yes????

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