Advanced Computer Genealogy Workshop

• Assume you have the basics
• Exchanging Data: GEDCOMs
• Checking for Reasonableness
• Advanced Genealogy Software
• Online Genealogy Training
• Getting your info onto the web, or CD

The Basics

• A program for storing your information.
  If you don't have one, and don't want/need an advanced program, get Family Tree Maker.
• Most common internet sites:
  • Family Search (LDS); New: has pilot function showing original records.
  • Hadley discussion boards: GenForum and Ancestry.com
  • Ancestry.com $$
  • Cindi's List, wasn't working July 15; hopefully just a temporary glitch.
  • Social Security Death Index
  • Google Books Search, PDFs of books scanned by Google. Many of the "classics" included, many you can download the entire book. Tip: click on advanced search and select Full view only to search only those that you can download entirely.
  • The Hadley Society
  • hadleyfamily.us - Brad's
  • hadleygenealogy.net - Jim's

Exchanging Data: GEDCOMs

GEnealogical Data COMmunication.

• Defacto standard for exchanging between genealogy programs.
• Export from one program; Import to another
• Almost every software program can do this
• Most basic data is transferred correctly ... but not all
• Never import a GEDCOM into your primary database until carefully checking it out for errors, duplicates, incompatible fields (e.g. baptism vs christening).

Checking for Reasonableness

Some genealogy software programs provide tools to check for “reasonableness”. (Brothers Keeper does; FamilyTreeMaker has an add-on).

If your program doesn't offer this, you can get one that does and import your data, via GEDCOM, to do the check. Then make corrections in your normal program.

• Died before their birth date?
• Married before their birth date?
• Gave birth before age 14 or after 70?
• Mother died before they were born?
• Age difference from spouse excessive?

You can set your own parameters on these.

Advanced Genealogy Software

Most common genealogy software programs do a good job on the basics:

• Hold basic info: names, dates, places, sources.
• Create standard printout: trees, charts, register or similar book format.
• Import and Export GEDCOM
• Backup your data
• Some tools to help you do research, such as notes, to-do lists etc.

Common examples: FamilyTreeMaker, PAF, Brothers Keeper.
Warning: Most agree that the new FamilyTreeMaker is not as good at printing as older versions; some recommend looking for pre-2008 versions.

There are more advanced programs, a.k.a. "professional" level programs.
More function usually means more complexity ... but not always.
More function does NOT mean higher cost.

Advanced Functions

• Advanced data quality and resaonableness checking, with advice.
• Missing information, with prioritization
• Advanced to-do list: make note of things you need to do as you enter data. Some programs do this for you.
  E.g. you entered children but don't yet have a marriage date.
• Research plan, both manual (you enter) and their suggestions.

List of software

• Legacy Deluxe 7, $30. Good function; fairly easy to use.
• The Master Genealogist, $60. Very powerful; fairly difficult to learn. Long considered the most powerful.
• Many basic programs offer advanced add-ons, such as FamilyTreeMaker and RootsMagic. Prices vary

Utilities that analyze your data

Example:Mud Creek Software

Online Genealogy Training

• Genealogy.com, free extensive training.
• BYU Independent Study: Finding your Ancestors
  They also have some other genealogy self-study classes for <$50.
• BYU Introduction to Family History, a free online version of the formal BYU class.

Getting your info onto the web, or CD

Many ways to do it, but I'm going to focus on one, which is used for the Hadley DNA Project, and Jim Hadley's web site: GedHTree, $19.95.

GedHTree takes a GEDCOM, which you export from your genealogy software, and creates family group sheets, family trees, indexes, and other formats.

1. Export GEDCOM from your genealogy program
2. Start GedHTree program, identify where you put the GEDCOM, select options, and click RUN.
3. Wait for processing to finish; just a few minutes.
4. See your results in "GHOUT" folder.
5. Upload your results to your website and creat link to index page. or
   Copy files to CD and put instructions to find index page, or create a separate HTML file as a starting point.

Demo

Other ways to share your info electronically:

Print a report from your genealogy software as a PDF.
If you don't have Adobe Acrobat (the full version $$$), get PDF Creator, it is free and works great. Once installed, it shows up as a printer when you say print. Totally compatible with Adobe Acrobat readers.