Putting FH on an android tablet

MargaretPG · Post by **MargaretPG** » 31 Mar 2013 22:44

How can I put a copy of FH V5.09 on an android tablet, Can dropbox be used for this. FH is installed on my laptop which runs Windows Vista

ID:6873

PeterR · Post by **PeterR** » 31 Mar 2013 23:22

Sorry to disappoint, but if you do a Search (via box on left) for Android you will find several threads, such as this: Android phone for field research (9321)

YouTube · Post by **Jane** » 01 Apr 2013 11:53

There are several Android Apps which can use Family Historian gedcom Files either directly or indirectly.

The user group have recommended the following

ezGED Viewer (which is free)

Family Bee (has both free and paid for versions)

and
GedCom Families (chargeable, but includes editing options and supports multimedia links).

EHerts · Post by **EHerts** » 01 Apr 2013 17:52

Many thanks, that was very useful.

Post by **tatewise** » 15 Aug 2013 11:55

An alternative approach may be to use PC Remote Control.

As long as your Android tablet has a G4/G3/WiFi Internet connection, then it can control your PC and run FH remotely.

A requirement is that you must leave your PC switched on, with the PC Remote Control software running, before you leave home (or have someone at home to switch it on).
Also the PC must NOT revert to a standby mode or idle state after a period of inactivity.

Note that media file transfers may be slow or expensive, and best left until you get home.

erlang · Post by **erlang** » 02 Sep 2013 17:28

ezGED gives up loading my main GEDCOM file (over 5 MB) at 65% and simply exits the program with no error message. It works with a smaller file (under 1 MB), but that's of rather limited use. Both ezGED and Family Bee ignore prefix and suffix fields, though they include title. Thus you get 'Lord Whatnot' but you don't get 'Rev. John Smith DD' or 'Sir John Smith GCVO'. Both programs also ignore surname prefix such as 'von' or 'de'. I am still looking for a GEDCOM reader/viewer that picks up all GEDCOM fields, though I don't need media and am content not to be able to do updates.

johnmorrisoniom · Post by **johnmorrisoniom** » 03 Sep 2013 09:02

I had the same problem.
I resorted to signing up for a free Genea account and using their free app.
The Genea account doesn't like file over 10mb, but is happy with a zip file. I use a newly created small backup file.
You can sync your tree using the app, but it is available offline.

BobB · Post by **BobB** » 08 Mar 2014 15:45

It's 6 months since the last post on this thread so I'm wondering if the situation has changed. I've just got my first Android tablet and was hoping to be able to load my gedcom file into an app that would let me navigate a family tree and see all my data - I'm happy to do any editing of my master file when I get home! I followed some of the advice in the knowledge base and installed the free versions of Family Bee and ezGed. Family Bee will not allow me to open my gedcom file (stored on a micro SD card installed in the tablet), whilst ezGed gets as far as 74% parsing the file and then stops working. Has anyone managed to get any of these apps working on a medium sized file (6MB, about 10k individuals)? My tablet runs Android 4.1.2.

johnmorrisoniom · Post by **johnmorrisoniom** » 08 Mar 2014 17:05

I am using the genea.net free app, and that copes with my file of over 40,000 individuals.

BobB · Post by **BobB** » 08 Mar 2014 17:56

Thanks for the suggestion of using GeneaNet, but that seems to require upload of my gedcom file into their "online family trees". I'm not sure that I want to do that - what I'm after is an app that will display my own gedcom file offline, in a usable form, not least as it's not always possible to get a Wi-Fi connection at the local archives!.

MarkB · Post by **MarkB** » 08 Mar 2014 18:17

I have a Nexus 7 with KitKat 4.4.2 and 2GB RAM. I have FamilyGTG and ezGED Viewer working OK with a 3MB GEDCOM file with 3000 individuals.
I would guess that your tablet is running out of resources with larger files.

BobB · Post by **BobB** » 08 Mar 2014 18:52

Thanks to all for the help. The problem with Family Bee seems to be that it doesn't recognise files on my MicroSD card - even though Android file manager can see them. I installed Family GTG and had the same problem, but moving the gedcom file to the internal storage seems to have worked.

squirrelsister · Post by **squirrelsister** » 27 Apr 2014 15:26

I use Gedstar Pro. There is a small charge, but it is a very good viewer. The main disadvantage is just that - you can't update your records while out and about.

What I'd really like is an app just like FH that can be used on a tablet.

Rohese · Post by **Rohese** » 22 Nov 2014 15:02

I'm, hopefully, getting a Samsung tablet for Christmas, and want to upload my FH GedCom files, which I don't necessarily want to edit on the tablet. There are no video or photogaphs in the files at present and they may well not be added as we have very limited photographs in the family archives any way. The reviews of GenFamilies on one site appear to be bad and GenStar Pro on this and other sites appear good. Family Bee and ezGed just didn't sound very good sites either and with a new version of FH coming up soon obviously the best and most upto date programme is required. Any helpful hints please.

Post by **tatewise** » 22 Nov 2014 15:55

BTW: FH not only supports family photos, but also images of source documents such as BMD Certificates and Census Returns.

FH makes extensive use of the GEDCOM 5.5 format, including many custom tags. Most genealogy programs use different dialects of GEDCOM 5.5 format to suit themselves. It is these differences that can upset programs/apps such as those for Android tablets.

There is the FH Export Gedcom File Plugin that allows your GEDCOM to be exported in various dialects to suit other genealogy programs, including converting or removing picture/image files. Preconfigured dialects can already be selected for many programs, and custom dialects can be easily configured.

If users provide feedback on which configurations work for various programs, such as Android apps, then I can add those to the Plugin for the benefit of others.

Rohese · Post by **Rohese** » 22 Nov 2014 18:38

Many thanks Mike.

E Wilcock · Post by **E Wilcock** » 23 Nov 2014 15:28

May be superfluous.

I have used Gedstar pro for years converting The Master Genealogist Files for a handheld device. Now on version 4.5.0. for Android phone.

It converts the TMG file or a GEDCOM file on one's computer into its own Gedstar file and opens them View only on my Samsung Galaxy 2 Android smart phone. This is one reason I dont have an i-phone.

These days, I get the gedstar file from computer to my smart phone via drop box.

I wanted to see how Gedstar pro works with FH, so I exported a GEDCOM from FH Sample Project (presumably at the default setting)
I then generated Gedstar files from the FH 5 Sample GEDCOM, first time with my previous settings - no pictures.
Then I did another conversion, this time having selected to include pictures of individuals, and chosen Medium High quality. The converted FH files opened on my phone and the FH pictures arrived too. If I tap the thumbnail they open up.

As my forum posts show, I am not experienced with FH, nor with its sample project, and am not sure how to give a full report, but it satisfies me.

craigmollekin · Post by **craigmollekin** » 30 Nov 2014 01:51

To view my tree on my Android, without the need for a data connection, I use FamilyGTG. I only use it to view my tree though and don't edit it etc using this app.

Post by **tatewise** » 14 Jan 2016 19:08

See fhugdownloads:contents:utility_gedstar_pro|> Utility ~ GedStar Pro which is now free to use, and the Export Gedcom File Plugin has preconfigured settings for it.

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