Genealogy Chat

Before merging any files you want to save a back up of each file using a different name for that file than the one that it's usually named, call it Smith 2 or whatever name your file is followed by the number 2, that way you know which file is needed if it all goes wrong, if it does go wrong you can always bin the messed up file and revert back to the saved 2 file.

When you go to merge 2 files FTM brings up a list showing both people who IT thinks are duplicates, they are not always duplicates, it's up to you to check each persons details to make sure that they are the same 2 people, if you merge them and they are not the same person it all goes pear shaped. If you are unsure take the tick out for those 2 people and don't merge those 2 people, you can always merge them later if they are the same person.

Ron
www.genealogyprinters.com

Before merging any files you want to save a back up of each file using a different name for that file than the one that it's usually named, call it Smith 2 or whatever name your file is followed by the number 2, that way you know which file is needed if it all goes wrong, if it does go wrong you can always bin the messed up file and revert back to the saved 2 file.

When you go to merge 2 files FTM brings up a list showing both people who IT thinks are duplicates, they are not always duplicates, it's up to you to check each persons details to make sure that they are the same 2 people, if you merge them and they are not the same person it all goes pear shaped. If you are unsure take the tick out for those 2 people and don't merge those 2 people, you can always merge them later if they are the same person.

Ron
www.genealogyprinters.com

I disagree. Why keep separate files? And for each parent / spouse? I don't think so. It is just too much hassle to maintain everything.

FTM is designed to handle large trees. For example 10,000 names and it doesn't even work up a sweat.

Merging works fine. But if you haven't done it before it can be a bit daunting.

thanks everyone for all your help it is much appreciated
linda

Linda;
So you've got two files and one or two people occur in both of them. You want to make them into one file.

First advice - don't do it. As things proceed your FTM file will get larger, and larger ... My advice is to have a separate file for each of your parents and each of your spouse's parents. Keep the full detail of the children in only one of them - probably the father's. Keep just an outline record of the parent's spouse that is in another file.

If you must do it; do not let FTM automatically find and merge duplicates. You should do it yourself with people you know are the same person.

*Select File | Append/Merge ...
*Make a backup when it tells you to (#)
*Select to file to merge.
*Select the Individuals to include. The [>>] button selects everyone.
*Choose "Do not merge, just add ..."
*Continue.
*No.
*Close.

Now locate the people who exist twice in the (merged) file and merge them manually - People | Merge Two Specific Individuals. It is best to merge from the oldest person to the youngest person.

If it all goes pear-shaped, you have the backup you made (above #). The second file is unchanged.

--
Dave.

It is difficult to say exactly without looking but it sounds as though you have some of the parents are still duplicated, and need merging. Check the names and dates are exact too.

Also check to see that you only have one marriage relationship.

Merge does work well but sometimes there are a few anomalies which need to be corrected and this is often quicker than re-typing everything.

i have found a back up that i did about 4 weeks ago so i will have to go from there so phew not the nightmare i thought but i wont be experimenting again. i will manually type the individuals in that i want from now on thanks to everyone
linda x

say i have an indiviual named bill smith and his parents are bill smith and mary green when i bring the family view up bill jnr is there with his mother but no father but when i look at the list of individuals bill smith snr is on the list and when i click on his name and open his family view the whole family are there. so it is like some are duplicated !! but when i look at the list of individuals to merge they are not there so it doesnt have them as duplicates. !!!
sorry if this doesnt make sense
linda

What exactly do you mean when you say you cant find the names where they should be?

I would put up a thread asking for help from Ron from GenealogyPrinters who is a member of Genes. He has vast knowledge of FTM and I'm sure he will be able to help you.

I have FTM2005 myself but I leave all the technical stuff to my son and he's on holiday at the moment. Sorry.

Kath. x

well i have merged the two trees and i merged all duplicate individuals and somewher it has gone wrong . when i i look at the list of individuals in the tree it says they are there but when i look i cant find them where they should be but if i type in their names they are there. i cant beleive i have made this mess help please !!
linda

i am trying to merge on tree onto another i have done some work on my brother in laws tree and would like to add it to my main tree . so iwould be able to merge the trees? i dont want to muck up my main tree as it has taken a lot of hard work and has a lot of info on it
thanks linda

Hi i have ftm 05 and love it although i probably dont get the most out of it. i have several trees as i have done research for family and friends.
is there a way i can import one of these trees into my main tree instead of having to type all the info in.
thanks
linda