For the last month, I have been helping someone get back to doing their genealogy research. They had an older version of Family Tree Maker, version 8 to be exact. I was able to retrieve her database off of a 3 1/2" floppy drive, since the Genealogical Library that I volunteer at still have a computer with a floppy drive.
Each week I have been showing her how to get her new data into her database, how to do sourcing and other things. Each week she goes home and works on her family history. She writes down her questions and I answer them the best I can.
This week, she decided to bite the bullet and install FTM 2014. I noticed some changes from my FTM 2012. The first thing for her that came up was her place name problems. In older versions of FTM we had to remember how to input names and create our own place name consistency. However, with the newer versions, you get help with your place name consistency.
So when I got home, I decided I should bite the bullet and install my version of FTM 2014 onto my computers. I first installed it on my desktop since this is my my main computer. This is the one I actually sync my database with Ancestry.com. Then I decided perhaps I too should look at my place names and fix the discrepancies.
So now I have another project to my ever growing list of things to do. I managed to get through the first three letters of the alphabet. I use the task list to write myself a quick short reminder of where I left off. After I get that task done, I will have to look at my sources and see if they look consistent.
Charlene,
ReplyDeleteYou will really see the benefit of doing this. Each time you enter a new place entry, you will be offered a choice to select from. Once you have Resolved the place names, the choice will be good one.
I do, however, suggest that you do NOT use the Resolve ALL option. There is a Resolve Place name where you make your choice on one screen. Most choices will be easy, jump over the ones you aren't sure about.
One of the nice Place Name features is where you can have Churches, Cemeteries to show up where they should. Historic Place Names as well. Just don't be in a rush and it will pay off for you.
I have a blog on Family Tree Maker and have addressed this feature a couple of times.
Russ
Thanks Russ for the advice. Currently I have decided to use the description field for churches, hospitals, cemeteries, nursing homes, places where events take place. This way mapping seems to work better. I try to review every occurrence, this is why it is taking a while. The reviewing is nice for refreshing the memory.
ReplyDelete