* Location failure in map window

[Paulecole]

In the map window, typing a placename in the location box and hitting enter, or the arrow box to the right of the location box, it just says no matches found. This was working fine and I have tried several names which I know worked before. Is it something I have done. The autogeocoding seems to be working fine. I an getting the same problem on my desktop and laptop.

[tatewise]

I get the same, so wonder if the service that FH relies on is temporarily out of action.

[Gowermick]

I too have been having trouble over the past few days. Have assumed it’s their end.

[PeterR]

This morning the message is "Geocoding service is currently not available".

[David Potter]

Has this been solved for anyone? I still have the problem.

[BillH]

I don't normally use Open Street Maps. I tried a couple of days ago and it was working fine, but it is not working for me today. I get the error "Geocoding service is currently not available".

I use Mike Tate's plugin called Map Life Facts which uses Google Maps and it is working and does a much better job of geocoding in my experience.

Bill

[David Potter]

Thanks for the Update Bill. Yes I looked at Mike's Plug-In today. I need to spend so more time with it to understand it a little better.

Cheers David

[BillH]

David,

The plugin help is good, but if you have any additional questions I can try to answer them or I'm sure Mike will.

Bill

[David Potter]

Thank you Bill. Just need to find some quality time to read through and test it out.

[David Potter]

Hi Bill, Well I didn't get that far with the testing.

I think I need to understand more fully what the Plug-In is intended to do? It mentions Web Pages which confused me. Also it refers to Facts and the related Places but I guess this is an indirect reference to the FH Places Database or have I misunderstood something.

Can you confirm that the Plug-In should take my Place Data in FH and Geocode these Places. What if the Places already have Geocodes that I have assigned by manually placing the 'Place' using the FH Mapping Feature. What does the Plug-In do in that case? Also is the term in the Plug-In 'Substitute' meaning the same as 'Standardized' within FH.

Thank you.

[tatewise]

The plugin provides a number of related features. Some originate from before Place records existed.
Have you checked the Plugin Store Help pages including the Frequently Asked Questions?

The plugin:

• Geocodes Place &/or Address field values obtained from the Project facts.
• Presents geocoded plots and fact data on map web pages within the plugin &/or your browser, c.f. Google Maps.
• Optionally synchronises geocoding with the Project Place records.
• Integrates web page maps with FH generated web site pages.

The FAQ How can Place Records be synchronised with Plugin Locations? answers your first three questions.
Yes, Substitute and Standardized are the same when synchronised.

[Paulecole]

I have downloaded this plugin but find it very confusing and not at all straight forward to set up. It appears you need to obtain an API Key to use it which involves giving credit card details even though you wont be charged. I think I will give up on this and persevere with the Open street map which is working at the moment.

[BillH]

intended to do? It mentions Web Pages which confused me.

I believe this is talking about creating maps for each individual so you can use them on a web page. I've never done this as I have not created a web site for my genealogy.

Also it refers to Facts and the related Places but I guess this is an indirect reference to the FH Places Database or have I misunderstood something.

You can have the plugin geocode the Places and save them either in its own database or in the Place records. To save them in the place records on the Set Preference Options> Location Plot Options tab set the "Database In:" field to Place Records.

Can you confirm that the Plug-In should take my Place Data in FH and Geocode these Places.

That is correct.

What if the Places already have Geocodes that I have assigned by manually placing the 'Place' using the FH Mapping
Feature. What does the Plug-In do in that case?

You have different options of what will be geocoded. You can tell it to only geocode places that don't already have geocodes. To protect against those sites that you have specified getting changed by accident, in FH go to Tools > Preferences > Map Window and select Block Refresh for Non-tentative Geocodes.

Also is the term in the Plug-In 'Substitute' meaning the same as 'Standardized' within FH.

Yes.

The plugin has quite a few options and is a bit intimidating at first but once you get the hang of it it works very well.

Bill

[David Potter]

Thank you both Mike and Bill.

I'll take another read through the help notes and have another go this evening.