As Ben pointed out recently, Ancestry.com released an update to Family Tree Maker for Mac 2 (FTMM2) back in July that supposedly fixed the TreeSync issues that many people had been experiencing, including me. I had been unable to sync my FTMM2 tree with Ancestry.com for 7 months, due to sync errors. So I happily installed the update, compacted my file, and, since it was no longer even linked to Ancestry.com, attempted to upload and link the tree. Unfortunately, despite numerous attempts at different times of the day on a wired (not wireless) connection, the upload always failed, usually at around the 75% point. I even tried exporting my tree from charts to a new file, since this usually gets rid of any corrupt items, but the export process never reported any errors. I finally gave up trying. [Read more...]
Deleting Branches in Reunion 10
Removing branches from your Reunion 10 family file is one of those tasks that you (hopefully) won’t have to do often. It’s also one that can leave you lost for how to carry it out. Combine this with the potential for data loss if not done properly (or junking up your file with unneeded data) and you’ve got the makings of a super handy GenealogyTools video!
When you find yourself needing to remove more than a single person from your genealogy software you’ll want a clear method for removing not only the direct ancestors, but the collateral people linked to them. Oh, and there’s also the source records that become orphaned when people records are deleted. Here are the basic steps to the method I devised: [Read more...]
How to Add a Migration Map to a Book in Family Tree Maker
A migration map shows the movement of a person over their lifetime. They can help you better understand the person’s life story, uncover clues, and make your research look more interesting.
Displaying a migration map is easy with Family Tree Maker. Unfortunately the genealogy software doesn’t make it easy to add migration maps to a book. That’s the kind of problem I like to solve for you. [Read more...]
Merging Duplicate Facts in Family Tree Maker 2012
Occasionally in Family Tree Maker 2012 you’re going to end up with duplicate facts. Actually, it will happen with any genealogy software; it’s not a situation peculiar to FTM.
What You Need to Know
Duplicate facts can appear up in your file by mistake and perhaps even from problems with TreeSync. I don’t have any hard evidence of that, I simply know from my experience with computers and programming that it’s possible. It doesn’t really matter why the duplicates are in there anyway. If you want them gone Family Tree Maker can help you merge them.[1]
Displaying Memo Fields in Family Views
I saw this neat tip on ReunionTalk.com this afternoon and I wanted to share with you.
You can add memo fields to a family view to make them easier to review. Memo fields can be displayed for events and facts. If you use memos extensively like I do, this is going to come in handy.
[Read more...]
Hiding & Revealing the Sidebar in Reunion 10
The sidebar is an important new feature of Reunion 10. It makes lists of information readily available and it can sometimes take up valuable screen space. One of the first things to learn about it is how to hide and display it as desired.
It’s handy because it automatically appears when it’s required, and not displayed.[1] That makes it tricky, since it doesn’t necessarily stay the way you put it.
It’s tricky too because by default, it changes the size of your Reunion 10 window when you hide or reveal it.
Finding the Relationship Between Two People with Reunion 10
Have you ever wanted to see just what the relationship is between two people in your Reunion family file? Better yet, how about seeing the connections in a chart?
Reunion 10 let’s you do both with people who are related by blood and those related by marriage. Here’s how to do it: [Read more...]
Tree View in Reunion 10
The tree view in Mac genealogy software Reunion 10 replaces the overview window from previous versions. The purpose remains the same. It’s a graphical way to navigate your family tree. It looks sharp and feels natural!
Using Reunion 10 to Search the Web
Reunion 10 will help you search common web repositories for information about people in your family file. It makes this easier on you by doing two things for you:
Automatically fill in some fields using information from your person record and starts the search- Optionally checks multiple sites at once
The results are displayed in your default web browser, either in tabs or windows.
Here’s how to perform a web search in Reunion 10:
- Click the Person menu button for anyone in the family view
- Choose Search the Web -> All Sites -> [name of web resource] or Search Favorites (checkmarks indicate favorites)
Trouble-Free FTM TreeSync Secrets Revealed
Have you been on the Family Tree Maker software message board on Ancestry recently? If so, you’ve see all the posts about sync problems like I have. You’ll also have seen long-time FTM user, FTM guru Russ Worthington on there helping people with great advice and clear answers. Well, I’ve been wanting to help out on this matter too so I asked Russ if I could record an interview with him about TreeSync and share it with you, and he enthusiastically agreed. So we talked in preparation and he told me something the blew my mind!
[Read more...]
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