Family Historian User Group

Sorry for the questions but I am really struggling to find this option.

I have read the PDF and it says that this option is available BUT where? There is no description in the pdf on how to actually do it.

I have 2 families that I have duplicated one from the 1861 census and the other from the 1891. I can only do them one at a time not the entire family. If I select descendants from the drop down it tells me I can only merge 2 people.

An example like most of the others in the pdf would be most helpful.

Thanks

Colin

ID:6297

Hi Colin

I have not done a branch merge myself and I agree the instructions are a bit hard to follow but I think you need to start by selecting the two Family Records you want to merge.  You can set up the Records Window to display a tab for Family Records by using Tools > Preferences > Records Window and setting the Record Type Display options to 'Always show' for families.  (Alternatively you can expand the individual records for the two heads of families and select the Spouse Families from there).

Having selected the families, then use Edit > Merge/Compare Records.  When you get to the Merge File dialog it will have two tabs: Individuals and Families.  If you are sure the whole family is duplicated, go straight to the Families tab.
An alternative approach is to start the merge/Compare process for two key individuals (heads of family)and try following these instructions from the Help files:

'select each link (click on the link label, which typically will be 'Parents Family' or 'Spouse Family' or similar) and press the Match button.  Press-and-hold the Ctrl key to select the second link without unselecting the first.  Ordinarily you would not be allowed to match links to as-yet- unmatched records, but in this case you will be asked whether you want to match the linked records (assuming that they can validly be matched). If you answer Yes, the 2 linked records will be added to the list of records to be matched. You can then examine their links to see if they too are linked to yet more pairs of duplicates. If so, you can repeat the process indefinitely, gradually building up a list of duplicated records that are all linked together forming 2 duplicated branches.'

If you are sure the whole family is duplicated, I think the first approach is simpler!  As always, I suggest experimenting with a copy of your file in case things go wrong.

P.S. I think all the 'expert' regulars who normally answer questions  must be on holiday this week!  No doubt when they get back they will be able to shed more light.

Lorna

Thank you for your reply. Whilst you are not one of the recognised 'Experts' you have certainly been very helpful to me.

I am certainly struggling with the whole way that FH works. I have been using PAF for so long that I suppose any new programme would be alien. FH is certainly trying my patience. I am still having to close and reopen the project each time to get the AS changes to show up.

I am finding AS really useful but FH less so. If only the AS changes rippled across without showing errors in PAF I wouldn't be even considering changing. It is obviously something to do with the age of PAF and the way that it processes Gedcom files.

If I don't see some light at the end of this tunnel soon I am going to forget moving into the 21st century and stick with what I know. It may just be me but the frustration level with FH is really high at the moment.[cry]

Whine over.

Thanks for all your help.[smile]

Colin

Hi Colin,
I do urge you to stick with FH if you can: it is a very sophisticated program but unfortunately that is what makes it a bit daunting at first. I have always used FH, but I do know that many of its current users have switched from other programs and sometimes found the transition difficult, but are glad they persevered.

Many members of this group have more detailed knowledge than I have and willingly give advice and help. Regarding your problem with AS, it was written specifically to work with Family Historian and, as you have guessed, some other programs are not fully Gedcom-compliant so opening the gedcom in PAF afterwards may produce errors. I think Nick Walker (author of the AS program) is on holiday at the moment but when he, or one of out other experts, is back I am sure he will quickly solve the problem of why you are having to close and reopen your project every time to get the changes to show up. (Normally you would see a message asking if you want to re-load the file after AS has edited it, but I gather you are not seeing this message).

By the way have you had a look at the Knowledge Base on this site? It contains many useful 'How To' guides to different aspects of the program.

Do keep going if you can, and keep asking questions. The answers will come flooding in when everyone is back from holiday!

Lorna

Thanks for the encouragement.

Certainly if it wasn't for AS I would have given up on FH by now.

I will keep at it for a few more days.

Colin

I have tried this from
Edit > Merge/Compare Records
and also cannot understand how to do it.

In the past I've messed up big time with an ill considered merge so prefer to do it by individual and/or family. In that way I have control and don't do things like merge reused named children.