ROOTSMAGIC-USERS-L Archives

Archiver > ROOTSMAGIC-USERS > 2005-02 > 1107577815


From: "Alfred D. Eller" <>
Subject: Re: [RMagic] RM and FTM
Date: Fri, 04 Feb 2005 22:30:15 -0600
References: <MFEFKPBOGKDGJNBDOCIGOEOMDAAA.delins1@earthlink.net>
In-Reply-To: <MFEFKPBOGKDGJNBDOCIGOEOMDAAA.delins1@earthlink.net>


I just exported a GEDCOM file from FTM 6 of 9101 people. I had imported
that into FTM from Family Origins or RootsMagic at one time I suppose.

I then imported the FTM 6 GEDCOM into RootsMagic and the LIST file shows
one error:
UNKNOWN INFO (line 217958)
3 MEDI other

Which I find to be something below a Source, Repository, Call number.

From FTM 6, I exported a GEDCOM file by clicking on the File Menu,
Select "Copy/Export Family File"
Then go right to the bottom of the dialog window and choose "GEDCOM (*.GED)
Then fill in the name of the file, leaving off the GED extension.
(choose a folder if you need to)
Click Save
Choose the Destination -- FTM works just fine for me
GEDCOM --- Version 5.5
Character set -- ANSI
------------------
do not check indent records but leave a check mark in the Abbreviate
tags box and click the OK button


It imports into RootsMagic with only that one error.

Going the other way is more error prone, FTM does not use notes for each
event, so they get put into the person's general notes. FTM doesn't know
about the UID numbers, so they cause an error for every person. I doubt
that FTM will recognize the sentence structure definitions or the
subsequent and bibliography sources. There are probably a few other
things that FTM will not be able to import, so the list file may be
nearly as long as the original GEDCOM file.

In conclusion, you shouldn't have many problems importing a FTM
generated GEDCOM file into RootsMagic.


Alfred D. Eller

===============================




wrote:

>My two cents worth is that I converted from FTM to RM primarily because one
>of my friends convinced me it was a great program. She'd used FO for years
>before converting to RM. Well, I've added too many new people, facts, etc.
>into RM to switch back to FTM at this point; but, I've always regretted
>switching programs. I simply don't "get RM". For me, FTM is easy to use.
>For me, RM is far too complicated for my limited knowledge of software. The
>sentence structure problem is - well, it blows my mind. Some of you good
>people tried to help me several months ago; but, no matter what I do, I
>simply can not straighten out my database. Some of the facts transferred
>from FTM to RM, but they don not print out in any reports. That means I
>have hundreds, if not thousands, of facts to re-enter. And, guess what,
>when I attempted to gedcom back to FTM - well, some of the facts I'd entered
>into RM (since I'd transferred to RM) didn't gedcom back to FTM. Hard
>lesson to learn with a 65,000+documented database. I'd advise researchers
>to stay with their original software company, whether it be RM or FTM or
>Professional Genealogists, etc., and hope that company improves their
>program sufficiently to meet their needs. Ruth
>
>
>
>


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