Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Billion Graves
GEDCOM
This article came out today the on eogn newsletter. http://www.eogn.com There is a permanent link to Dick Eastman's blog on the side bar. He allows and encourages sharing or re-blogging from his free newsletter so today I thought I would. Note his links for clarification and the comments as well for help in understanding GEDCOM files and their limitations. It also talks about some software not requiring a GEDCOM to transfer data.
Dick Eastman
google images
How to Transfer Your Data from PAF and Other Programs to a New Program
Do any of the new programs allow me to transfer my data direct from PAF or do I have to type all the data I already have to a new program?I thought I would answer here in the newsletter in case anyone else has the same question.
In short, you do not have to re-type all your data on the keyboard. All
of today's genealogy programs allow for direct import of data from any
of today's other programs. They all use GEDCOM files. All of today's
genealogy programs support GEDCOM.
You can read more about GEDCOM at http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2008/08/gedcom-explaine.html.
GEDCOM does have some drawbacks, as explained in that article. However, it is still much, much better than re-typing everything again, as we all used to do back in the 1980s.
You can read more about GEDCOM at http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2008/08/gedcom-explaine.html.
GEDCOM does have some drawbacks, as explained in that article. However, it is still much, much better than re-typing everything again, as we all used to do back in the 1980s.
Comments
David Pugmire said...
Many
of these other apps import the PAF data file DIRECTLY, so that nothing
is "lost" by doing export/import of GEDCOM. This includes media files
(photos, etc). Such is the case with the apps suggested by
FamilySearch, but there may be others as well.
Serena said...
I
have a PAF add on called PAF Descend which neatly shows a family
descendant listing with my notes after each person. I love it. I sure
wish I could find a new software that would give the same listing.
ralph said...
PAF
will continue to be operational as long as there PC's. In fact, it has
not been updated since 2002. I intent to continue using it.
Marci Delaney said...
Try
Ancestral Quest - it was developed by the same people that developed
PAF, so it feels rather the same. My PAF file loaded up just fine ten
years ago when I switched!!! And Serena, I believe you will find that
it does just what you are looking for in the "Print Books and Reports"
section under the "FILE" heading. I use it all the time.
**********************
OK... too much black and white for today.
Here is something totally unrelated,
colorful and fun from Pinterest!!
Best Kept Secret~A New Resource for FS/FT
Even people who are great proponents of Family Search are sometimes frustrated with the training methods employed by the site. Heaven knows they are making tremendous strides and Rome wasn't built in a day but....patience may not always be our long suit.
So
I just wanted to discuss a new resource for people trying to learn
Family Search Family Tree. Actually, Carol, gave it to us. She has spoken of it in her last two newsletters. When she and Debbie Smith attended the Directors' Meeting in Salt Lake
they were introduced to Elder Moon's site. Carol reports that the
meeting attendees were very impressed with it. Perhaps you have already been looking at it, I hope so. This site is amazing and so helpful for
people of all levels but especially people just trying to figure out
what Family Tree is all about and people trying to help others. Especially when that don't have the time or inclination to search all over Family Search for the one little bit of information they need to do a simple correct or edit or whatever.
People were doing pretty well with Family Search until they changed the website and started moving things around. For us as teachers it has been particularly difficult to keep up and not feel like we are in a constant state of do-overs. So it has been another one of those "pass go and do not collect $200.00" moments for all of us that teach our patrons here in the FS Library. Change is inevitable and a good thing because they bring us a better product that is more efficient and in the long run easier to use. But in the meantime...? What to do??
People were doing pretty well with Family Search until they changed the website and started moving things around. For us as teachers it has been particularly difficult to keep up and not feel like we are in a constant state of do-overs. So it has been another one of those "pass go and do not collect $200.00" moments for all of us that teach our patrons here in the FS Library. Change is inevitable and a good thing because they bring us a better product that is more efficient and in the long run easier to use. But in the meantime...? What to do??
Can you just imagine what it is like for people teaching the hundreds that man the the Help Center? This
new website has been created by Elder Leland Moon to do just that. He is a senior
missionary that is serving in Salt Lake and has developed this program to
train those who assist others on the phone and in person. His site is not a regular church site at this point and his disclaimer states that clearly from the beginning. However, he has done such a fantastic job. Family Search may incorporate his site into their training section for consultants
at some point.
Right now though they are busy putting out the big fires and starting new ones! Just kidding. I have the greatest respect for the people that have been called to develop this new Family Tree program. It was reported at the Directors' Meeting in SLC that the powers that be at Family Search really like what Elder Moon has done and well they should. For all practical purposes it could not get much better than this.
Right now though they are busy putting out the big fires and starting new ones! Just kidding. I have the greatest respect for the people that have been called to develop this new Family Tree program. It was reported at the Directors' Meeting in SLC that the powers that be at Family Search really like what Elder Moon has done and well they should. For all practical purposes it could not get much better than this.
So long story short...I am
"over the moon" with what Elder Moon has developed. Not only has this
saved me personally many many hours of preparation for staff training in
the the library, but more importantly, it is invaluable to anyone
trying to learn. It has everything in one spot with quick access to
help others with their trouble spots. It is one stop shopping to teach
them how to 'fish' for themselves
by being self-reliant!
Elder Moon has broken down Family Tree in tiny bites on videos that last no more than five minutes. Most of them are about three minutes. They are listed sequentially and make perfect sense. The beauty is you can toggle back to your tree and try what he says. If you miss something in the process you can return to the short and concise video and watch it again. The whole process taking only minutes.
Elder Moon has made the videos simple and comprehensive. It even has some very elementary computer skills with easy tutorials for people who don't know how to use a mouse, etc. It is not full of fancy bells and whistles...just straight forward and up to the minute help. He has kept up beautifully with all the new changes.
The timing of this discovery of this has been just perfect. Just last week you asked for more training on Family Tree. We can go over it in class a few times then you can proceed in your learning so that we all become very proficient in Family Tree.
We should pass it on to anyone with slightest interest in learning more.
Elder Moon has broken down Family Tree in tiny bites on videos that last no more than five minutes. Most of them are about three minutes. They are listed sequentially and make perfect sense. The beauty is you can toggle back to your tree and try what he says. If you miss something in the process you can return to the short and concise video and watch it again. The whole process taking only minutes.
Elder Moon has made the videos simple and comprehensive. It even has some very elementary computer skills with easy tutorials for people who don't know how to use a mouse, etc. It is not full of fancy bells and whistles...just straight forward and up to the minute help. He has kept up beautifully with all the new changes.
What
you will find on the site are just a couple of pages of links with very
descriptive titles. You click on the link, watch a short video and find your answers. It is simple and brilliant! There are some written lesson enhancements and even a place to test your skills in a "Sandbox."
The url is http://familysearchtraining.com
The url is http://familysearchtraining.com
(Note it is .com not .org)
The timing of this discovery of this has been just perfect. Just last week you asked for more training on Family Tree. We can go over it in class a few times then you can proceed in your learning so that we all become very proficient in Family Tree.
We should pass it on to anyone with slightest interest in learning more.
Share the wealth...it should no longer be the...
This one should go viral!
********************************
Just as a reminder, new.familysearch.org is shutting down on June 30.
No further interaction at that point will be allowed. It will be
visible only until the end of the year and then will disappear.
There is a dilemma for Mac users. I have been resisting running both windows and the Mac operating system together on my computer but I may need to as the last time I checked, Reunion is not an approved partner at this point. I think it will be worth it to be able to use Ancestral Quest again. I really like that program. We and have test driven a few of them in our day. Kilimanjaro learning curve isn't it? Never Give Up!
Friday, June 21, 2013
Worried About The 15 July Shut Down of PAF?
Yes we are!
If you heard the announcement of about PAF shutting down on 15 July and have some concerns read this article. If you subscribe then the link is also found here: http://tinyurl.com/k6rcvjd
This article is written by James Tanner one of the most prolific writers about genealogy. He is a very interesting read and if you subscribe you will get several articles every single day. He is a good writer and knows his subject well, and he is also deep. I like that he makes me stretch my mind. And he makes me laugh sometimes! A winning combination! He must be one of those people that never sleep as he is really up on everything and writing about it almost as it happens. And he is no spring chicken. All impressive, right? Give this article a try about PAF and its demise.
You can find his blog here. http://genealogysstar.blogspot.com
Just because it is against my religion to do
a post without at least one pretty picture!
I took this at the Ferry Building last weekend.
These are called Straw Flowers
and they look and feel like straw!
Monday, June 17, 2013
The Pieces of Our Pie!
I hope to finally see you all tomorrow in the library! Bonnie
Hebrew For Mansions...
Meridian Magazine 6/17/13
If in John 14:2 the word "mansion" is replaced with the Hebrew word "bayit" - meaning "family" - we get a very different interpretation of what the Savior was saying to His disciples when He talked about "mansions" within His Father's house. "In my Father's house are many families. If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you (plural, meaning you and your family) ... that where I am, there ye many be also."
If in John 14:2 the word "mansion" is replaced with the Hebrew word "bayit" - meaning "family" - we get a very different interpretation of what the Savior was saying to His disciples when He talked about "mansions" within His Father's house. "In my Father's house are many families. If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you (plural, meaning you and your family) ... that where I am, there ye many be also."
How beautiful and meaningful to us as Latter-Day Saints, genealogists, and all people who love their families.
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