These directions were posted on a mailing list that I subscribe too and thought they might be of use to someone else. I had a large database that I needed to split up and it works great. Leaves the original in place and copies what you want. Credit goes to: Sue Sablic Indiana Sablics@aol.com Sue states, Here's what I do... Open a new FTM family file, naming it with the family line you wish to transfer. At "File" - click on "Open Family File", then click one time only - just to highlight - the family file you wish to transfer from. At the bottorm of the screen there will be a button that says "Append File" - click on that button. (Note: there will be a caution screen pop up, but if you are transferring to a empty database there shouldn't be any concern, so just close it). A screen listing the persons in your current database will come up, the list will be on your left hand side. From this screen click on the very oldest ancestor of the family line you wish to transfer. Then click on the ancestors/descendants. A list of all the persons which will be transferred will appear in a list on your right hand side. It will include the oldest ancestor, his/her spouse their children, their spouses and on and on right through all descendants. When you are ready, click "OK" - and the whole file of that family line (and only that line) will be sent to your new database. A merge message will pop up, but since you will be transferring to an empty database you can simply do the "Amend only". All of the sources, notes, etc. should be transferred also.