Ali the sync feature works file to file File A is synced to AMT tree A If you have another tree, Tree B then if you sync it is synced to AMT tree B John D -----Original Message----- From: ftm-tech-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:ftm-tech-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Ali Sent: Sunday, October 23, 2011 2:58 PM To: ftm-tech@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [FTM-TECH] Just Loaded 2012- Description field Linda I use several description fields. He was not clear about which one he was warning against, that was my concern. I guess we are reading different comments because most of the problems I've read so far are about the sync feature. Media I have no problem with as I have not added any media other than what Ancestry supplies from a search. I'm wondering what happens if one has more than one tree on Ancestry? How will the sync feature work then? I have separated a branch and made a tree from my main tree. Ali

Ali You wrote "John Do not use what for sources? I do not have v2012 yet and want to be clear where and what it is you are referring to that we should not use". I am suggesting that you do not use the Descriptions fields, which are associated with each Fact, to Record sources, ie putting something like "birth certificate number...." in the Description field as a source. FTM has a comprehensive sourcing system including 170 or so source templates, and IMO, it is best to put sources in the designed areas. This then lets all the source, source usage reports, documented events reports, etc to work correctly. Also it is difficult to put multiple sources in the Description fields and impossible to link sources copy and paste them, attach media and notes and all the other good stuff that you can do in FTM using the sources as they are designed. You wrote "This new version seems to have to upset more users than any other new version. I know from what I have read so far" Actually in FTM 2012, if you take away the TreeSync feature, only has about 5 changes from FTM 2011. Whereas FTM 2011 had over 100 enhancements from FTM 2010. Tree syncing was the most demanded enhancement but I think it is a little like "be careful for what you ask for". I have been using AMTs since they came out, regarding them as extensions of the publish capability in FTM with the ability to find people searching the same people as I am. I have solved many problems through my public AMT. I will continue to use AMTs, but the same way as I did in 2011, manually. I am quite happy to upload a fresh tree about once a month (and delete the old one) and control what I upload. This feature is also in 2012, but if you work it this way you don't have the TreeSync which is an all or nothing feature. Someday I may sync upwards, but I doubt I would ever sync downwards. Whilst I give certain people guest rights, I doubt I would give anyone editing rights then sync down although, I can see legitimate uses for the feature, eg two people remotely working on the same tree. I am waiting for the Android AMT app to appear out of beta as I can see that that could be useful to look at my AMT when I am travelling. There is an i app already out there to do this. I think some people could be upset about the new version in that they have not... (a) made sure that their trees are in excellent shape in terms of data integrity. Trees full of errors are unlikely to sync well. This showed up clearly in all the testing. (b) taken the trouble to learn and understand the limitations, "the fine print" about syncing and the differences between the FTM and AMT trees. If you take the trouble to understand that what you are in fact doing is some quite complex merging, and observe the sensible precautions when you merge anything, then the TreeSync feature can be very useful, but first do the homework. I always suggest people make a couple of test files and practice until they get the hang of it. This is a good link to understand the fine print in TreeSync http://boards.ancestry.com/topics.software.famtreemaker/7306/mb.ashx There are three links each with important information that is "not on the box". Careful users would do well to read and thoroughly understand the TreeSync feature and how to correctly use it. "When in doubt read the manual" Of course many people won't be bothered and will then find that the feature doesn't work as they expected and then grizzle. Sound familiar? John D -----Original Message----- From: ftm-tech-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:ftm-tech-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Ali Sent: Sunday, October 23, 2011 2:07 PM To: ftm-tech@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [FTM-TECH] Just Loaded 2012- Description field John Do not use what for sources? I do not have v2012 yet and want to be clear where and what it is you are referring to that we should not use. This new version seems to have to upset more users than any other new version. I know from what I have read so far I will not be using the Sync feature. Ali

One other comment I meant to make in my previous message. FTM 2012 has a new capability that was not present in FTM 2006. Each Fact can now have its own Note. This is where I enter any long commentary or information pertaining to the Fact. BJ On 10/22/2011 11:19 PM, BJ wrote: > I see you have received some excellent suggestions on the types of > information many of us place in the Description field. Perhaps a little > bit of background will further assist you in understanding the field. > > In versions prior to FTM 2008, a fact had two fields allowing the user > to enter information. The date field and the Comment/Location field. > The Comment/Location field actually served two purposes. The primary > purpose was to record "where" the event or fact occurred. This was the > "Location" section of the field. You could also enter any additional > information you wanted to record as a "comment". Both types of > information could be entered into the same field. To distinguish > between the different types of information, you could separate them > using a slash, "/". Anything before the slash was considered a comment > anything after the slash was considered a location or place. Most of us > being rather lazy, only entered a slash if we were entering both a > comment and a location together. If no slash is found, the program > considers everything as a location. Many people found this to be very > confusing and kept demanding the two types of information each have a > separate field. So when the program was rewritten in FTM 2008, the two > fields were separated into Place and Description. > > This separation and the miss use of the slash has caused a number of > people, me included, to experience some rather unusual "unresolved" > place names. FTM 2012 has some tools to assist you in correcting these > errors by exchanging the information into the proper field. You have to > examine the information and determine which field it should be in. > > There is another new feature or concept which may cause you some initial > confusion. All facts can have a Date, Place and Description; however, > certain facts are commonly thought to have only one type of information > - the Description. For example, Occupation, Degree, Education, Caste, > etc. As a result, FTM 2012 has defaulted to only showing the > Description field. If you are like me, you may want to qualify some of > these facts by including the Date and Place. To display these > additional fields, you will need to change the Fact Label Properties. > There are several ways of doing this. > > 1. The more general way is to Click Edit, then select Manage Facts. > Select a fact label and then Click Properties. You will see the options > you have for each fact. Select the option you want. > 2. You can also do this in the People, Person work area. Select a > Fact Label and Click the right mouse button. Select Properties and > again make your choice. > > I hope this helps with your understanding of the new program. While it > does take some time to learn where to do what, I find it very flexible > as there are generally 2 - 4 ways of doing the same thing. It just > takes a little getting used to the flexibility of the program and > cleaning up you data. Take you time. Figure out what you want to do. > If you can't find the technique, feel free to ask and someone will > probably be able to guide you. > > BJ > > On 10/22/2011 8:41 AM, Desmond McDowell wrote: >> My question: the "Description" field below the place name field, what is >> this for.? > ********************************** > List information page > http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/Software/FTM-TECH.html > > Online Support for Family Tree Maker > Version 16 and earlier > http://pastftm.custhelp.com/ > > Version 2008 - 2011 > http://ftm.custhelp.com/ > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to FTM-TECH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > ----- > No virus found in this message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 2012.0.1831 / Virus Database: 2092/4568 - Release Date: 10/22/11 > >

The only thing I would add to this discussion is not to use it for sources If you do, you nullify the ability to show sources and charts and reports and also use the source usage reports etc John Donaldson

ftm-tech-request@rootsweb.com wrote: > Index of Individuals getting hung up > On 22 October 2011 18:16, Susan Johanson<scjohanson5@comcast.net> wrote: > >> Almost every time I make a change in my database the index rebuilds and sometimes it gets hung up showing the index in the background with the rebuilding >> symbol in front. I seem to be able to work while the file is hung up, but I don't think I can search the file while it is shuffling. Is there anything I can do to stop the >> shuffling without shutting FTM down and starting all over? > This is caused by FTM 2012 automatically syncing with Ancestry. To > solve the problem: > > Plan workspace> Drop down menu to right of Sync Now> Sync Options> > Update linked trees> Manually> OK. > > Caroline Gurney Caroline, I have had my sync sent to manual since the first day, and it still gets hung up. It's not every time, but enough to be annoying. Any other things I can try? Susan -- --- Susan C. Johanson, Haymarket, VA http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?db=johanson http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/j/o/h/Susan-C-Johanson/ ...Searching for footprints in the sands of time...

With the size file you have (my big one is 130,000 individuals), not much you can do. Just compact the file every so often and be glad 2012 isn't as slow as 2010. John & Kathleen -----Original Message----- Caroline, I have had my sync sent to manual since the first day, and it still gets hung up. It's not every time, but enough to be annoying. Any other things I can try? Susan

That's probably because most, not all, the users of this list can read and understnad the instructions. Tom Herson Ithaca, NY ----- Original Message ----- From: <aghatchett3rd@aim.com> To: <ftm-tech@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, October 23, 2011 12:40 AM Subject: Re: [FTM-TECH] Just Loaded 2012- Description field > > Linda, > > Perhaps the messages on *this* list tend toward the positive but... > it is far different story on the Ancestry message boards themselves. > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Linda H Gutierrez <lilacarlhg@amnet.co.cr> > To: ftm-tech <ftm-tech@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Sat, Oct 22, 2011 10:37 pm > Subject: Re: [FTM-TECH] Just Loaded 2012- Description field > > > Ali, > > The subject of the email was about the description field and that is where > John recommended not adding source information. I believe that you are > using > FTM 2011? Those same fields are in FTM 2011. > > To the contrary, most of the comments I have seen on this list regarding > the > sync feature have been positive. The two things to keep in mind are: > > 1. If you have a lot of media and the media has not been resized, the > initial upload may take a long time, especially if done during busy times > of > the day. > > 2. If you use the templates in FTM for your sources or have a very > specific > way of handling them, then you should only sync up and not make any > changes > in your AMT, only in your FTM file. > > You can always use a test file to try it out. > > > Linda > in Costa Rica > Monroe County, New York Genealogy > http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~monroenys > Monroe County, New York History > http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~monroenys > > -----Original Message----- > From: Ali > Sent: Saturday, 22 October, 2011 9:06 PM > To: ftm-tech@rootsweb.com > Subject: Re: [FTM-TECH] Just Loaded 2012- Description field > > John > Do not use what for sources? I do not have v2012 yet and want to be clear > where and what it is you are referring to that we should not use. This > new > version seems to have to upset more users than any other new version. I > know from what I have read so far I will not be using the Sync feature. > Ali > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: John Donaldson > To: ftm-tech@rootsweb.com > Sent: Saturday, October 22, 2011 9:32 PM > Subject: Re: [FTM-TECH] Just Loaded 2012- Description field > > The only thing I would add to this discussion is not to use it for > sources > > If you do, you nullify the ability to show sources and charts and reports > and also use the source usage reports etc > > John Donaldson > > > ********************************** > List information page > http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/Software/FTM-TECH.html > > Online Support for Family Tree Maker > Version 16 and earlier > http://pastftm.custhelp.com/ > > Version 2008 - 2011 > http://ftm.custhelp.com/ > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > FTM-TECH-request@rootsweb.com > with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body > of > the message > > > ********************************** > List information page > http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/Software/FTM-TECH.html > > Online Support for Family Tree Maker > Version 16 and earlier > http://pastftm.custhelp.com/ > > Version 2008 - 2011 > http://ftm.custhelp.com/ > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > FTM-TECH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

I have three trees synced and, once in a while, up load temporarily an older tree to use. I've had no problems with the syncing. Also, where are these other Description fields that you mention. There can be a Description field for each fact and that's what should NOT be used to record sources. Tom Herson Ithaca, NY ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ali" <avws2601@sympatico.ca> To: <ftm-tech@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, October 22, 2011 11:58 PM Subject: Re: [FTM-TECH] Just Loaded 2012- Description field > Linda > I use several description fields. He was not clear about which one he was > warning against, that was my concern. > > I guess we are reading different comments because most of the problems > I've read so far are about the sync feature. > > Media I have no problem with as I have not added any media other than what > Ancestry supplies from a search. > > I'm wondering what happens if one has more than one tree on Ancestry? How > will the sync feature work then? I have separated a branch and made a > tree from my main tree. > Ali > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Linda H Gutierrez > To: ftm-tech@rootsweb.com > Sent: Saturday, October 22, 2011 11:36 PM > Subject: Re: [FTM-TECH] Just Loaded 2012- Description field > > > Ali, > > The subject of the email was about the description field and that is > where > John recommended not adding source information. I believe that you are > using > FTM 2011? Those same fields are in FTM 2011. > > To the contrary, most of the comments I have seen on this list regarding > the > sync feature have been positive. The two things to keep in mind are: > > 1. If you have a lot of media and the media has not been resized, the > initial upload may take a long time, especially if done during busy times > of > the day. > > 2. If you use the templates in FTM for your sources or have a very > specific > way of handling them, then you should only sync up and not make any > changes > in your AMT, only in your FTM file. > > You can always use a test file to try it out. > > > Linda > in Costa Rica > Monroe County, New York Genealogy > http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~monroenys > Monroe County, New York History > http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~monroenys > > -----Original Message----- > From: Ali > Sent: Saturday, 22 October, 2011 9:06 PM > To: ftm-tech@rootsweb.com > Subject: Re: [FTM-TECH] Just Loaded 2012- Description field > > John > Do not use what for sources? I do not have v2012 yet and want to be > clear > where and what it is you are referring to that we should not use. This > new > version seems to have to upset more users than any other new version. I > know from what I have read so far I will not be using the Sync feature. > Ali > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: John Donaldson > To: ftm-tech@rootsweb.com > Sent: Saturday, October 22, 2011 9:32 PM > Subject: Re: [FTM-TECH] Just Loaded 2012- Description field > > The only thing I would add to this discussion is not to use it for > sources > > If you do, you nullify the ability to show sources and charts and > reports > and also use the source usage reports etc > > John Donaldson > > > ********************************** > List information page > http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/Software/FTM-TECH.html > > Online Support for Family Tree Maker > Version 16 and earlier > http://pastftm.custhelp.com/ > > Version 2008 - 2011 > http://ftm.custhelp.com/ > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > FTM-TECH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message > ********************************** > List information page > http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/Software/FTM-TECH.html > > Online Support for Family Tree Maker > Version 16 and earlier > http://pastftm.custhelp.com/ > > Version 2008 - 2011 > http://ftm.custhelp.com/ > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > FTM-TECH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

Wise comments, Linda. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Linda H Gutierrez" <lilacarlhg@amnet.co.cr> To: <ftm-tech@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, October 22, 2011 11:36 PM Subject: Re: [FTM-TECH] Just Loaded 2012- Description field > Ali, > > The subject of the email was about the description field and that is where > John recommended not adding source information. I believe that you are > using > FTM 2011? Those same fields are in FTM 2011. > > To the contrary, most of the comments I have seen on this list regarding > the > sync feature have been positive. The two things to keep in mind are: > > 1. If you have a lot of media and the media has not been resized, the > initial upload may take a long time, especially if done during busy times > of > the day. > > 2. If you use the templates in FTM for your sources or have a very > specific > way of handling them, then you should only sync up and not make any > changes > in your AMT, only in your FTM file. > > You can always use a test file to try it out. > > > Linda > in Costa Rica > Monroe County, New York Genealogy > http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~monroenys > Monroe County, New York History > http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~monroenys > > -----Original Message----- > From: Ali > Sent: Saturday, 22 October, 2011 9:06 PM > To: ftm-tech@rootsweb.com > Subject: Re: [FTM-TECH] Just Loaded 2012- Description field > > John > Do not use what for sources? I do not have v2012 yet and want to be clear > where and what it is you are referring to that we should not use. This > new > version seems to have to upset more users than any other new version. I > know from what I have read so far I will not be using the Sync feature. > Ali > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: John Donaldson > To: ftm-tech@rootsweb.com > Sent: Saturday, October 22, 2011 9:32 PM > Subject: Re: [FTM-TECH] Just Loaded 2012- Description field > > The only thing I would add to this discussion is not to use it for > sources > > If you do, you nullify the ability to show sources and charts and reports > and also use the source usage reports etc > > John Donaldson > > > ********************************** > List information page > http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/Software/FTM-TECH.html > > Online Support for Family Tree Maker > Version 16 and earlier > http://pastftm.custhelp.com/ > > Version 2008 - 2011 > http://ftm.custhelp.com/ > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > FTM-TECH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

Do none of you read the manual? It's included with the software if you bought it legally. Tom Herson Ithaca, NY ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ali" <avws2601@sympatico.ca> To: <ftm-tech@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, October 22, 2011 11:06 PM Subject: Re: [FTM-TECH] Just Loaded 2012- Description field > John > Do not use what for sources? I do not have v2012 yet and want to be clear > where and what it is you are referring to that we should not use. This > new version seems to have to upset more users than any other new version. > I know from what I have read so far I will not be using the Sync feature. > Ali > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: John Donaldson > To: ftm-tech@rootsweb.com > Sent: Saturday, October 22, 2011 9:32 PM > Subject: Re: [FTM-TECH] Just Loaded 2012- Description field > > > The only thing I would add to this discussion is not to use it for > sources > > > > If you do, you nullify the ability to show sources and charts and reports > and also use the source usage reports etc > > > > > > John Donaldson > > ********************************** > List information page > http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/Software/FTM-TECH.html > > Online Support for Family Tree Maker > Version 16 and earlier > http://pastftm.custhelp.com/ > > Version 2008 - 2011 > http://ftm.custhelp.com/ > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > FTM-TECH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message > ********************************** > List information page > http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/Software/FTM-TECH.html > > Online Support for Family Tree Maker > Version 16 and earlier > http://pastftm.custhelp.com/ > > Version 2008 - 2011 > http://ftm.custhelp.com/ > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > FTM-TECH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

Linda, Perhaps the messages on *this* list tend toward the positive but... it is far different story on the Ancestry message boards themselves. -----Original Message----- From: Linda H Gutierrez <lilacarlhg@amnet.co.cr> To: ftm-tech <ftm-tech@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sat, Oct 22, 2011 10:37 pm Subject: Re: [FTM-TECH] Just Loaded 2012- Description field Ali, The subject of the email was about the description field and that is where John recommended not adding source information. I believe that you are using FTM 2011? Those same fields are in FTM 2011. To the contrary, most of the comments I have seen on this list regarding the sync feature have been positive. The two things to keep in mind are: 1. If you have a lot of media and the media has not been resized, the initial upload may take a long time, especially if done during busy times of the day. 2. If you use the templates in FTM for your sources or have a very specific way of handling them, then you should only sync up and not make any changes in your AMT, only in your FTM file. You can always use a test file to try it out. Linda in Costa Rica Monroe County, New York Genealogy http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~monroenys Monroe County, New York History http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~monroenys -----Original Message----- From: Ali Sent: Saturday, 22 October, 2011 9:06 PM To: ftm-tech@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [FTM-TECH] Just Loaded 2012- Description field John Do not use what for sources? I do not have v2012 yet and want to be clear where and what it is you are referring to that we should not use. This new version seems to have to upset more users than any other new version. I know from what I have read so far I will not be using the Sync feature. Ali ----- Original Message ----- From: John Donaldson To: ftm-tech@rootsweb.com Sent: Saturday, October 22, 2011 9:32 PM Subject: Re: [FTM-TECH] Just Loaded 2012- Description field The only thing I would add to this discussion is not to use it for sources If you do, you nullify the ability to show sources and charts and reports and also use the source usage reports etc John Donaldson ********************************** List information page http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/Software/FTM-TECH.html Online Support for Family Tree Maker Version 16 and earlier http://pastftm.custhelp.com/ Version 2008 - 2011 http://ftm.custhelp.com/ ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to FTM-TECH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Linda I use several description fields. He was not clear about which one he was warning against, that was my concern. I guess we are reading different comments because most of the problems I've read so far are about the sync feature. Media I have no problem with as I have not added any media other than what Ancestry supplies from a search. I'm wondering what happens if one has more than one tree on Ancestry? How will the sync feature work then? I have separated a branch and made a tree from my main tree. Ali ----- Original Message ----- From: Linda H Gutierrez To: ftm-tech@rootsweb.com Sent: Saturday, October 22, 2011 11:36 PM Subject: Re: [FTM-TECH] Just Loaded 2012- Description field Ali, The subject of the email was about the description field and that is where John recommended not adding source information. I believe that you are using FTM 2011? Those same fields are in FTM 2011. To the contrary, most of the comments I have seen on this list regarding the sync feature have been positive. The two things to keep in mind are: 1. If you have a lot of media and the media has not been resized, the initial upload may take a long time, especially if done during busy times of the day. 2. If you use the templates in FTM for your sources or have a very specific way of handling them, then you should only sync up and not make any changes in your AMT, only in your FTM file. You can always use a test file to try it out. Linda in Costa Rica Monroe County, New York Genealogy http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~monroenys Monroe County, New York History http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~monroenys -----Original Message----- From: Ali Sent: Saturday, 22 October, 2011 9:06 PM To: ftm-tech@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [FTM-TECH] Just Loaded 2012- Description field John Do not use what for sources? I do not have v2012 yet and want to be clear where and what it is you are referring to that we should not use. This new version seems to have to upset more users than any other new version. I know from what I have read so far I will not be using the Sync feature. Ali ----- Original Message ----- From: John Donaldson To: ftm-tech@rootsweb.com Sent: Saturday, October 22, 2011 9:32 PM Subject: Re: [FTM-TECH] Just Loaded 2012- Description field The only thing I would add to this discussion is not to use it for sources If you do, you nullify the ability to show sources and charts and reports and also use the source usage reports etc John Donaldson ********************************** List information page http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/Software/FTM-TECH.html Online Support for Family Tree Maker Version 16 and earlier http://pastftm.custhelp.com/ Version 2008 - 2011 http://ftm.custhelp.com/ ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to FTM-TECH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Ali, ANY description field! Sources need to be put where sources are suppose to be put. You can have as many trees on Ancestry as you wish. File #1 will link and sync to Tree #1 online, File #2 will link and sync to Tree #2, etc. One has nothing to do with the other. With a feature of this complexity there are bound to be some issues. Just like each person's Ancestry is different so are everyone's Family Trees and those differences can bring up issues that may have not come up during the testing phase of the software. As long as you keep a good copy of your file(s), then if any issues arise when you attempt to sync, you can always fall back on you’re the copy of your file. One should always have more than one back-up. Linda in Costa Rica Monroe County, New York Genealogy http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~monroenys Monroe County, New York History http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~monroenys -----Original Message----- From: Ali Sent: Saturday, 22 October, 2011 9:58 PM To: ftm-tech@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [FTM-TECH] Just Loaded 2012- Description field Linda I use several description fields. He was not clear about which one he was warning against, that was my concern. I guess we are reading different comments because most of the problems I've read so far are about the sync feature. Media I have no problem with as I have not added any media other than what Ancestry supplies from a search. I'm wondering what happens if one has more than one tree on Ancestry? How will the sync feature work then? I have separated a branch and made a tree from my main tree. Ali ----- Original Message ----- From: Linda H Gutierrez To: ftm-tech@rootsweb.com Sent: Saturday, October 22, 2011 11:36 PM Subject: Re: [FTM-TECH] Just Loaded 2012- Description field Ali, The subject of the email was about the description field and that is where John recommended not adding source information. I believe that you are using FTM 2011? Those same fields are in FTM 2011. To the contrary, most of the comments I have seen on this list regarding the sync feature have been positive. The two things to keep in mind are: 1. If you have a lot of media and the media has not been resized, the initial upload may take a long time, especially if done during busy times of the day. 2. If you use the templates in FTM for your sources or have a very specific way of handling them, then you should only sync up and not make any changes in your AMT, only in your FTM file. You can always use a test file to try it out. Linda in Costa Rica Monroe County, New York Genealogy http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~monroenys Monroe County, New York History http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~monroenys -----Original Message----- From: Ali Sent: Saturday, 22 October, 2011 9:06 PM To: ftm-tech@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [FTM-TECH] Just Loaded 2012- Description field John Do not use what for sources? I do not have v2012 yet and want to be clear where and what it is you are referring to that we should not use. This new version seems to have to upset more users than any other new version. I know from what I have read so far I will not be using the Sync feature. Ali ----- Original Message ----- From: John Donaldson To: ftm-tech@rootsweb.com Sent: Saturday, October 22, 2011 9:32 PM Subject: Re: [FTM-TECH] Just Loaded 2012- Description field The only thing I would add to this discussion is not to use it for sources If you do, you nullify the ability to show sources and charts and reports and also use the source usage reports etc John Donaldson

I see you have received some excellent suggestions on the types of information many of us place in the Description field. Perhaps a little bit of background will further assist you in understanding the field. In versions prior to FTM 2008, a fact had two fields allowing the user to enter information. The date field and the Comment/Location field. The Comment/Location field actually served two purposes. The primary purpose was to record "where" the event or fact occurred. This was the "Location" section of the field. You could also enter any additional information you wanted to record as a "comment". Both types of information could be entered into the same field. To distinguish between the different types of information, you could separate them using a slash, "/". Anything before the slash was considered a comment anything after the slash was considered a location or place. Most of us being rather lazy, only entered a slash if we were entering both a comment and a location together. If no slash is found, the program considers everything as a location. Many people found this to be very confusing and kept demanding the two types of information each have a separate field. So when the program was rewritten in FTM 2008, the two fields were separated into Place and Description. This separation and the miss use of the slash has caused a number of people, me included, to experience some rather unusual "unresolved" place names. FTM 2012 has some tools to assist you in correcting these errors by exchanging the information into the proper field. You have to examine the information and determine which field it should be in. There is another new feature or concept which may cause you some initial confusion. All facts can have a Date, Place and Description; however, certain facts are commonly thought to have only one type of information - the Description. For example, Occupation, Degree, Education, Caste, etc. As a result, FTM 2012 has defaulted to only showing the Description field. If you are like me, you may want to qualify some of these facts by including the Date and Place. To display these additional fields, you will need to change the Fact Label Properties. There are several ways of doing this. 1. The more general way is to Click Edit, then select Manage Facts. Select a fact label and then Click Properties. You will see the options you have for each fact. Select the option you want. 2. You can also do this in the People, Person work area. Select a Fact Label and Click the right mouse button. Select Properties and again make your choice. I hope this helps with your understanding of the new program. While it does take some time to learn where to do what, I find it very flexible as there are generally 2 - 4 ways of doing the same thing. It just takes a little getting used to the flexibility of the program and cleaning up you data. Take you time. Figure out what you want to do. If you can't find the technique, feel free to ask and someone will probably be able to guide you. BJ On 10/22/2011 8:41 AM, Desmond McDowell wrote: > My question: the "Description" field below the place name field, what is > this for.?

John Do not use what for sources? I do not have v2012 yet and want to be clear where and what it is you are referring to that we should not use. This new version seems to have to upset more users than any other new version. I know from what I have read so far I will not be using the Sync feature. Ali ----- Original Message ----- From: John Donaldson To: ftm-tech@rootsweb.com Sent: Saturday, October 22, 2011 9:32 PM Subject: Re: [FTM-TECH] Just Loaded 2012- Description field The only thing I would add to this discussion is not to use it for sources If you do, you nullify the ability to show sources and charts and reports and also use the source usage reports etc John Donaldson ********************************** List information page http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/Software/FTM-TECH.html Online Support for Family Tree Maker Version 16 and earlier http://pastftm.custhelp.com/ Version 2008 - 2011 http://ftm.custhelp.com/ ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to FTM-TECH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Ali, The subject of the email was about the description field and that is where John recommended not adding source information. I believe that you are using FTM 2011? Those same fields are in FTM 2011. To the contrary, most of the comments I have seen on this list regarding the sync feature have been positive. The two things to keep in mind are: 1. If you have a lot of media and the media has not been resized, the initial upload may take a long time, especially if done during busy times of the day. 2. If you use the templates in FTM for your sources or have a very specific way of handling them, then you should only sync up and not make any changes in your AMT, only in your FTM file. You can always use a test file to try it out. Linda in Costa Rica Monroe County, New York Genealogy http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~monroenys Monroe County, New York History http://freepages.history.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~monroenys -----Original Message----- From: Ali Sent: Saturday, 22 October, 2011 9:06 PM To: ftm-tech@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [FTM-TECH] Just Loaded 2012- Description field John Do not use what for sources? I do not have v2012 yet and want to be clear where and what it is you are referring to that we should not use. This new version seems to have to upset more users than any other new version. I know from what I have read so far I will not be using the Sync feature. Ali ----- Original Message ----- From: John Donaldson To: ftm-tech@rootsweb.com Sent: Saturday, October 22, 2011 9:32 PM Subject: Re: [FTM-TECH] Just Loaded 2012- Description field The only thing I would add to this discussion is not to use it for sources If you do, you nullify the ability to show sources and charts and reports and also use the source usage reports etc John Donaldson

On 22 October 2011 18:16, Susan Johanson <scjohanson5@comcast.net> wrote: > Almost every time I make a change in my database the index rebuilds and sometimes it gets hung up showing the index in the background with the rebuilding > symbol in front. I seem to be able to work while the file is hung up, but I don't think I can search the file while it is shuffling. Is there anything I can do to stop the > shuffling without shutting FTM down and starting all over? This is caused by FTM 2012 automatically syncing with Ancestry. To solve the problem: Plan workspace > Drop down menu to right of Sync Now > Sync Options > Update linked trees > Manually > OK. Caroline Gurney http://www.carosfamily.com http://cmgurney.blogspot.com

Largely whatever suits you. The one rule you should apply to any entry is that if you are going to share, anyone looking at what you are doing should be able to understand it. I used to put the the postal address in the place field, but it was becoming totally unmanageable. The net result of dumping that part into the description field was a reduction in the places list of some 9000. I currently have 18413 Tony -----Original Message----- From: Caroline Gurney Sent: Saturday, October 22, 2011 5:32 PM To: ftm-tech@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [FTM-TECH] Just Loaded 2012 On 22 October 2011 16:41, Desmond McDowell <desmond.mcdowell@rogers.com> wrote: > My question: the "Description" field below the place name field, what is > this for? Some examples of how I use the Description field: Birth: stillborn, twin of [twin's name] Baptism: godparents' names Census: occupation, age, birth place Military Service: rank, unit, medals Marriage: witnesses' names Death: age, cause of death Burial: grave number Probate: value of estate, names of executors The one thing I don't use the Description field for is any part of the Place details - I put them all in the Place field. Caroline Gurney www.carosfamily.com cmgurney.blogspot.com ********************************** List information page http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/Software/FTM-TECH.html Online Support for Family Tree Maker Version 16 and earlier http://pastftm.custhelp.com/ Version 2008 - 2011 http://ftm.custhelp.com/ ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to FTM-TECH-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

On 22 October 2011 16:41, Desmond McDowell <desmond.mcdowell@rogers.com> wrote: > My question: the "Description" field below the place name field, what is > this for? Some examples of how I use the Description field: Birth: stillborn, twin of [twin's name] Baptism: godparents' names Census: occupation, age, birth place Military Service: rank, unit, medals Marriage: witnesses' names Death: age, cause of death Burial: grave number Probate: value of estate, names of executors The one thing I don't use the Description field for is any part of the Place details - I put them all in the Place field. Caroline Gurney www.carosfamily.com cmgurney.blogspot.com

A big thank you to everyone, your guidance and recommendations appreciated. Desmond