Genealogy Chat

I would like to continue to build my combined family tree, but would also like to split it into 2 (my branch and my wife's branch) How do others do this?

Should I start 2 more free Genes Reunited accounts or is there a better way, possibly a bought PC programme? (I like the layout of Genes Reunited, & haven't seen a PC tree builder that is as good)

Suggestions welcome.

Hello Keith.
I would personally buy an offline tree programme, they are far easier to use and much more flexible that the tree on here.You can split the tree into two, merge again, whatever you want to do.
Also has the added bonus of being able to upload the tree onto here when any alterations have been made. I use use FTW as do lots of members on here, loads of options for charts/trees etc.

Thanks for your reply Keith.

I feel I should know, but what is FTW (Family Tree W???)

Thanks again.

Hi Keith
FTW is Family Tree for Windows (Family Tree Maker). The latest version is FTM 2008, but a cheaper and as functional alternative is 2005, available for about £10 if you search online.

I use Family Tree Maker - the one from Who do you think you are (well, it has the series stuff on the box! lol)

I would do that rather than try and do it with GR.

At the moment I have my all in one tree on GR but am thinking of pruning it due to the hot matches!

Laura

Hot matches was one of the reasons I asked the question. If I added more Genes Reunited accounts to split my tree, then I would be getting messages that I had hot matched my own tree (if you see what I mean)

I do most of my tree building offline using Genopro (www.genopro.com)
I make a new tree for each main branch so I can see it easily and also print out copies. I then do my earlier ancestors using ahentafels (ancestor lists) or by again printing out smallish trees for main lines.

On GR my tree starts with me but I've added my husband (though not named as he is living). His tree then goes up from him. The GR tree is simply there to make contacts and does not include any detailed or sensitive information.

It all seems to work OK for me.

Sue
x

Thanks to you all for your help.

I have had a look for FTM 2005 & found lots of versions. Standard, Deluxe, Platinum, 6 disc, 12 disc etc.

Is there much difference? Are the CD's useful, or do they just have the information that can be obtained from some of the free web sites?

Kieth you can get the 2006 version of FTM as who do you think they are ones for about £5 in morrison etc, I dont think the discs are worth the extra money myself ;;;

Babs

N

Babs
I couldn't find FTM at my local Morrisons so I ordered it from Play.com (£5.99 including delivery)

Just spent a couple of hours tonight installing it and importing my Genes Reunited files.

I'm really pleased with the way it can be customised to look similar to what I have been used to seeing in GR.

I am still trying to find a way of splitting the full tree into 2 seperate branches (mine & my wife's) covering all generations (not just the 3 generations that it seems to default to)

If I can't find a way, then I will start 2 seperate trees and copy the files the long way.

Anyhow, thanks to all who helped. It's the best £6 I've spent

Keith

Splitting the file is straightforward enough to do, just a bit of a swine to explain. LOL.

If you pm your e-mail addy to me i'll send you some links to the helpcentre which explain the four possible methods.

When you say the default is 3 generations what are you looking at? A tree chart? If so you can select the number of generations to display from 1 to 99 in the boxes on the right hand side of the tree viewing screen.

Glen

Glen

Thanks for your reply. Yes I was looking at a tree chart and I have found the 1 to 99 display that you mentioned. I have increased it to the full 99 which has helped, but I would like the full details including aunts, uncles, cousins etc.

I have sent you my email address, so any help would be welcome.

Thanks again
Keith

Sent you an e-mail with some links, on the tree chart page one of the boxes allows you to select to include siblings etc.

The best thing to do is play with the options and view the results, try different text size/colours etc. You can't spoil anything, if you don't like the current result just select another option.

Worth a look is family tree software section on the FTF website too, www.familytreeforum.com

Links to answers and the ability to add screenshots to questions posted make it easy to find answers to those "how to" questions.


Glen

One of the advantages of FTM is the way that you can customise reports, with different views - ie ascestor, pedigree, descendant, genealogy etc - to show as much as or little as you require. You can customise the appearance and determine how much or little information is displayed or printed.

I'm struggling to find a good reason why you want to split your tree. What are you expecting to achieve?

I've been looking for FTM 2005/6 for a while in Morrisons, and WH Smiths, they both offered me WDYTYA, are they the same ?

The WDYTYA versions are the same programme but have extra discs (parish records and stuff connected to the tv series).

The extra stuff is pretty much useless to be honest but any extra discs can be used as coasters to stop cup marks on the furnitiure.

With the introduction of FTM 2008 the prices have dropped right down and the wdytya versions of 2005/2006 are now cheaper than the standard versions were a year ago.

And to answer your next question, the difference between 2005 and 2006 is minimal, 2006 offers internet backup which isn't available on 2005 but apart from that the differences are hardly noticeable.

Glen

Glen

Thanks for the links. Method 4 is exactly what I was aiming for.


Peter

I am playing around with the display options and I'm really pleased with the way that displays & reports can be customised, although I still have a lot to learn.

I want the ability to split my tree because some of my wife's relatives are interested in a print out of their relatives but would not be interested in mine.

Keith

Glad to help Keith.

Keep pluggimg away with the reports, it's amazing just what you can do when you have a fiddle around,.

Glen