I've noticed that FTM doesn't have an individual record identifier and yet I assume there is one behind the scenes so to speak. If there a way to enable this as part of the record? I have seen some filing systems which are logical but based on the identifier.

lewisny,

What version of Family Tree Maker are you using?

Russ

FTM 2010

Lewis,

On the People workspace, Family View, look in at the bottom of the RH Panel and you will see Customize View. Click on that, and a window will open where you can Add the Reference ID to the RH Panel for the individual in the RH panel.

Russ

Ok I did all that and now have the Reference ID field for the individual view. However, the field is not populated with any data. I closed and reopened the file and the field is still blank.

Do I have to manually populate the field?

Lewis,

In the previous version of Family Tree Maker, did you Manually enter the Reference ID or were you using the Automatic Reference ID?

The Manual IDs should be populated in that field. The Automatic ID may not have come over into 2010.

Russ

I was using another software program - I could check the Gedcom file used to import the field to see if it was populated. If not and I go through the painful process of manually entering the data I hope that newly added individuals will have this field populated.

Thank you for the very quick responses.

Well I added an individual and this reference ID field did not get populated. When you hover over the field it wants you to link to a source and leads me to conclude that this is not intended to be an individual ID field. Also see this quote from an online blog:

In the Media section when you RT click on a photo and LINK to person the Index comes up – you then find the individuals name – — before you hit OK – over on the RT hand box – my suggestion is that there be another TITLE added to the list of information and that is the SPOUSE and the REFERENCE ID #. [I use my own numbering system]

Lewis,

You should enter your own Reference ID that matches your own numbering system.

Russ

Sorry but that is an awful solution. The software must have some referencing behind the scenes - this id was automatic in older versions and is a standard field in both Legacy and TMG.