* Cannot delete or merge Duplicate person

[TimpsonsLane]

Despite having been using FH since V3 and now on V7, I have not posted before.

There is a complicated section of my tree where two extended families were all marrying each other, including between cousins and second cousins. Half the names in this small parish are called McTavish or Stewart, and most of the first names are repeated everywhere.

Figures A to C.docx

(146.95 KiB) Downloaded 56 times

I have managed to have a husband shown as married to the same wife twice. There are two wife records, and each wife is linked to the same husband record. The correct wife is linked to all 8 children, but the redundant wife is only linked to one child record. Fig A.

If I try to unlink the redundant wife, the unlink options to husband and/or child are greyed out. Same if I start from husband or child. If I delete the 'redundant' wife, the box does not disappear, but instead is left blank.

I have tried to merge the two records, but the redundant wife is left as a blank box. Fig B

I have tried Merge Record and Branch, but am confused by the Help Instructions. I select the two Christinas. I am instructed to 'match the links'. Click on the 'link label' where?. If I assume that when I have my two Christinas I select 'add relatives', I get asked for spouses and descendants for each. That shows my Fig C. Then when I try to merge, I get a message to say that there can only be two to merge.

[LornaCraig]

If I delete the 'redundant' wife, the box does not disappear, but instead is left blank.

When you delete the 'redundant' wife you also need to delete the redundant Family Record. In the Records window you may have a tab for Family records. If you don't, use Tools>Preferences>Records Window and set Families to Always show.

Now in the Focus window, with Archibald McTavish as Focus, click the line immediately below Archibald and the 'redundant' (now nameless) wife, just above the children, where the marriage details are displayed (or would be displayed, if you have entered any). This will switch the Property Box to display the Family record. Make a note of the Record ID of that Family record.

Now on the Families tab locate that record, which will be called family '...of Archibald McTavish' and delete it. This will leave just the family record of Archibald McTavish and Christina Campbell.

[TimpsonsLane]

Hi Lorna
Thank you for your prompt reply. I have just done what you advised, and everything is sorted out.

Thank you very much indeed. I had been tearing my hair out!
Regards
Iain Hector Morrison