* Adding 'Weight' to the 'Birth' fact

[ColinH]

Having just entered details of a new baby in Family Historian, I realised that there was nowhere that I could add the baby's birth weight (I have previously added it as a note).

I created a new fact for this but would prefer that it was included with the Birth fact. The sentence might then say, "{individual} was born {date} {place} {weight} <({age})> .

Is this possible and if so, how?

Thanks

[LornaCraig]

There are a couple of possibilities:

1. You could continue to use the standard birth fact, entering the weight in the note field. Then incorporate the note into the sentence, so that the template is {individual} was born {date} {place} <weighing {note}>.

2. Instead of using the standard birth fact you could create a custom birth fact, but make it an attribute rather than an event. The difference is that an attribute has a value field. You could enter the weight in that field. Then the sentence template would be {individual} was born {date} {place} <weighing {value}>.

[tatewise]

The drawback of a Custom Attribute instead of the standard Birth Event is that a multitude of features in FH and every other genealogical product relies on the GEDCOM standard Birth event. Things such as the estimated Age, Life Dates, Date validity checks, Plugins, etc, etc, all would cease to work.

So for additional field values such as Weight use the how_to:narrative_report_fact_sentence_templates#custom_fact_fields|> Narrative Report Fact Sentence Templates > Custom Fact Fields technique using a labelled Note, similar to Lorna's 1st suggestion.

Alternatively, you could also use the standard Physical Description Attribute and phrase the attribute weight value such that it blends into the Birth event. You could even make a phrase in the Birth event Sentence Template conditional on the Physical Description Attribute or a Custom Birth Weight attribute. So the Birth sentence Template might be {individual} was born {date} {place}{=CombineText(" weighing ",%CUR_PRIN._ATTR-BIRTHWEIGHT%,,)} and the Birth Weight sentence Template would be {blank}.

[ColinH]

Thank you for your suggestions. I have a few follow-up questions:

1. If I were to use the first option of using the note field, would weight be the only note I could record in the Birth fact note field? The reason I ask this is that I have also recorded the time of birth:
Born: 18:30
Weight at birth: 4.56 kg / 10lbs 0.85oz
(yes, a big baby)

2. If this is a problem and I wanted to use the Physical Description Attribute, how do I do that. I found a Fact Called Physical Description but can't really see how to use it.

Thanks

[LornaCraig]

You could enter several items in the note field if you use the labelled note system described in the link Mike gave.

So in the note field you could have
[[
Time: 1830
Weight: 4.56 kg / 10lbs 0.85oz
]]

and in the sentence template
{individual} was born {date}< at {=GetLabelledText(%FACT.NOTE2%,"Time: ")}> {place}< weighing {=GetLabelledText(%FACT.NOTE2%,"Weight: ")}>

Alternatively, just enter a free-form note such as 'The time was 18.30 and he weighed 10 lbs 0.85 oz' then use
{individual} was born {date} {place} {note}

[ColinH]

Yes, that works perfectly.

Do I have to do this each time I need these facts recorded or can I add it to the Birth Fact for everyone? If I do, will the sentence look wrong if these details are not available?

Thank you.

[ColinH]

I've worked out how to have this apply to all records and have found that adjusts the sentence accordingly.

Thank you both for your help.

[tatewise]

Please checkout how_to:narrative_report_fact_sentence_templates#custom_fact_fields|> Narrative Report Fact Sentence Templates > Custom Fact Fields.

Yes, whole the point is to update the global default Sentence Template via Tools > Fact Types.
If you were to only edit the specific Fact Sentence then it would not be necessary to add anything to the Note field, as you could simply edit the Sentence to say exactly what you wanted.

The < ... > chevron brackets make its contents conditional on whether the { ... } curly brackets return a value.
So, when the Note label Time: does not exist, then the {=GetLabelledText(%FACT.NOTE2%,"Time: ")} returns nothing, and thus the < at {=GetLabelledText(%FACT.NOTE2%,"Time: ")}> produces nothing.

[ColinH]

Thanks. Just one more thing - I hope. I've added another two labels and it always says She or He. It looks like {Individual} makes it She or He
How can I make it say His or Her (for the additional labels)?

[LornaCraig]

Use {individual's} in the relevant sections of the sentence template.

[tatewise]

See how_to:narrative_report_fact_sentence_templates#standard_template_codes|> Standard Template Codes which is another section of the how_to:narrative_report_fact_sentence_templates|> Narrative Report Fact Sentence Templates advice.

For full details use <<Insert Code button and How to Use Advanced Features option and scroll up the Help page.

The codes {individual's} or {his/her} will usually work, but not if combined with such as {=GetLabelledText(%FACT.NOTE2%,"Label: ")}.
Instead of the < ... > shortcut, you may have to use a more complicated combination of =CombineText( , , , ) or =TextIf( , , , ) with =Sex(%CUR_PRIN%,"His","Her","Their"), etc.

Please give examples of the labels and values, together with what you want the sentences to say.
Then we can give more precise solutions.

BTW: This restriction on the use of the standard { codes } is the subject of Wish List Ref 546 Enhanced use of Narrative Template Codes.

[ColinH]

Maybe I'm trying to get too adventurous
I now have the following labels:

[[
Time:
Weight:
Heb Name:
Heb Date:
]]

and my sentence is:

{individual} was born {date}< at {=GetLabelledText(%FACT.NOTE2%,"Time: ")}> {place}< weighing {=GetLabelledText(%FACT.NOTE2%,"Weight: ")}> {his/her} Hebrew name is {=GetLabelledText(%FACT.NOTE2%,"Heb Name: ")} and {individual's} Hebrew date of birth is {=GetLabelledText(%FACT.NOTE2%,"Heb Date: ")}>.

I suspect that I am trying to fit in too much and that this should really be two sentences.

[LornaCraig]

For a simple solution, I would add the Hebrew date in brackets after the first date, so the template would be
{individual} was born {date}< (Hebrew date {=GetLabelledText(%FACT.NOTE2%,"Heb Date: ")})> etc...

For the Hebrew name, I would enter this as an Alternative Name rather than something associated with the birth event.

However, I expect Mike will come up with a cunning solution to achieve what you are aiming for!

[tatewise]

Here are some ideas to consider.

1. The standard Date field offers Hebrew dates.
   Open the Date Entry Assistant by clicking [...] on right and under Calendar choose Hebrew.
2. The Name more (+)... Names & Titles dialogue offers Alternative Names where you can Add the Hebrew name.
3. If you REALLY want it all in the Sentence Template then here is the logic to achieve that.
   You have probably found that your < {his/her} Hebrew ... > expression does not work at all well.
   That is because < ... > chevron brackets only support one { ... } curly bracket component.
   So the more flexible alternative Expression replaces < ... > with the {=CombineText( , , , )} function.
   See FH Help > Family Historian Help > Using Family Historian > Advanced Topics > Understanding Functions > Functions (all) > CombineText for details.
   
   A simple example based on the < weighing {=GetLabelledText(%FACT.NOTE2%,"Weight: ")}> phrase is:
   {=CombineText( " weighing ", GetLabelledText(%FACT.NOTE2%,"Weight: "), , )}
   
   Now you should see that < {his/her} Hebrew name is {=GetLabelledText(%FACT.NOTE2%,"Heb Name: ")}> becomes:
   {=CombineText( Text( Sex(%CUR_PRIN%," his", " her", " their") . " Hebrew name is " ), GetLabelledText(%FACT.NOTE2%,"Heb Name: "), , )}
   Where the Text( Sex(...) . " Hebrew name is " ) is the prefix text, and GetLabelledText(...) is the main text, which if missing inhibits the prefix text also.
   
   Now assuming that both Heb Name and Heb Date would always be added together the full expression is:
   {=CombineText( Text( Sex(%CUR_PRIN%," his", " her", " their") . " Hebrew name is " ), GetLabelledText(%FACT.NOTE2%,"Heb Name: "), Text( " and" . Sex(%CUR_PRIN%," his", " her", " their") . " Hebrew date of birth is " . GetLabelledText(%FACT.NOTE2%,"Heb Date: ") ), )}
   Which adds the conditional suffix text Text( " and" . Sex(...) . " Hebrew date of birth is " . GetLabelledText(...) )
   
   If you want to make the Hebrew date part conditional too then use two =CombineText(...) functions:
   {=CombineText( Text( Sex(%CUR_PRIN%," his", " her", " their") . " Hebrew name is " ), GetLabelledText(%FACT.NOTE2%,"Heb Name: "), , )}
   {=CombineText( Text( " and" . Sex(%CUR_PRIN%," his", " her", " their") . " Hebrew date of birth is " ), GetLabelledText(%FACT.NOTE2%,"Heb Date: "), , )}
   
   Remember that the slightest mistake with the syntax will cause the codes to be displayed instead of the required text.

[ColinH]

Oh, I hadn't realise that I could enter a Hebrew date. That being the case, I don't need to add it as a note.

I need the Birth fact to show the English date so I wouldn't want to mess with that. What I am going to do is to keep my existing Heb Name fact and enter the Hebrew date of Birth in that. This way I can just leave the original two notes (birth time and birth weight) in the Birth fact.

Your help has been outstanding; I almost know what I'm doing now

Thank you so much.

[tatewise]

Another option for the Hebrew date is to use the Date Phrase option.

For the Birth Event, in the Date Entry Assistant select the Date Phrase tab.
Tick ...interpreted as: and enter the Gregorian English date.
In the Date phrase box enter the Hebrew date (but the date format will not be checked as it is free text).
Then that date will appear everywhere such as: 11 Jan 2006 ("11 Tevet 5766")

As a matter of curiosity, why do you have a Hebrew Name custom fact rather than use the Alternative Name feature, which will usually automatically include that name as a.k.a. in Reports and Diagrams.

[ColinH]

I've looked at your comments and have given a lot of thought as to what I want to achieve.

I certainly want to store both the Hebrew name and birthdate, but I can't imagine ever wanting them to be displayed in wall charts, etc. However, I may, at some stage, want to print a report which includes these facts, or maybe they will be needed if I do a book.

So, I've created a Fact for the Hebrew name and have used the date field for the Hebrew birth date; something I didn't know I could do until a few days ago.

The Birth Weight and Birth Time have been dealt with as suggested with a note in the Birth Fact, together with the amendments to the sentence to include these notes.

Thanks again for all the help with this.