Sarge, Thank you for your description of the problems associated with using our databases. I still intend to send you a genealogy report to update the Tanner genealogy - but looks like there are a number of things I need to do first. Like many others I didn't know proper formats when I started building my database. Is there a way to convert all my surnames to all caps in Family Tree without going in and doing each individually- with 15000 people that could take a lifetime? I'm open to any suggestions for cleaning up some of the problems. Bonnie S. Knauss Original message: "It is extremely difficult to add other researchers' databases to our main Germanna database if those who send such .GED files haven't made sure that their databases adhere to normal standards for database construction. What I mean is, if you send me a GEDCOM and it is full of errors as far as construction is concerned, it takes me hours, even days, to correct it so that I can add it to the main database. 2) You don't enter surnames in your databases in capital letters. It makes it a lot easier to concentrate on surnames if you put them in your database in ALL CAPS."

Bonnie, Not sure what version of Family tree that you have but you can go to EDIT and then find and replace and put your Tanner in first and then TANNER on the next line -- make sure that you check MATCH CASE -- then check REPLACE ALL. It will replace in the notes section and everywhere. Sadly, I can't do the same thing for THOMAS because there are too many people in my large file with that as a first name. I had to do the same thing when I learned the correct spelling of Culpeper -- I had entered it in lots of places as Culpepper. Have fun. Take care. Marilyn

Thanks for this tip - I did find the "find and replace" and have begun to use it a little. Fortunately you don't have to "replace all" - it will ask at each entry and this is helpful since my family is BIG on making surnames a middle name in later generations. For example, my brother's middle name is Tanner, from Mother's maiden name. I may never get it all cleaned up, but at least I am doing a little at a time - and I do appreciate your taking time to clue me in. Bonnie S. Knauss Original message: Bonnie, Not sure what version of Family tree that you have but you can go to EDIT and then find and replace and put your Tanner in first and then TANNER on the next line -- make sure that you check MATCH CASE -- then check REPLACE ALL. It will replace in the notes section and everywhere.. Marilyn ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to GERMANNA_COLONIES-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message