Family Tree Maker software - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

FTM 2009 question about "hints"

ErikSchaefer — 2009-11-10 00:41:36Z

First off, I recently installed Windows 7 and FTM 2009 is working fine with it. Just in case anyone wants to know...In fact I went to the 64 bit Windows 7 so I now have 5GB of memory and it has made FTM 2009 even faster! I love it.

My question is about the green leaves for hints in FTM2009...I was disappointed that when I took my tree off of ancestry.com and imported it into FTM I had to redo all of my hints. But, I'm learning to deal with it. The problem is that if I click on an individual and clear all of their hints, it seems almost every time there remains 1 hint that I cannot see. That is, for each individual in my tree it tells me there is 1 family tree hint, but when I click on the leaf I get a blank window with no tips.

What is causing this? How can I fix it? I want to get rid of all of the green leaves so I know when an individual is "complete"...but I can't seem to get rid of them as there is always one hint that I cannot see.

Re: FTM2008 "no internet connection"

rworthington — 2009-11-09 22:22:00Z

Justkia,

Sounds like your Firewall software is blocking Family Tree Maker access to the internet.

What is your Firewall Software?

Russ

Re: FTM2008 "no internet connection"

WoodResearch — 2009-11-09 21:40:38Z

Jason,
Thank you for clarifying the instructions....this too was my issue. If not for your clarity I would still have "gray" leaves!

Cheers!

Re: Getting Started with FTM 09

jorobexeter — 2009-11-09 12:38:22Z

Hi Russ
thanks for the reply, yes sorry, its 2009 the version.
Its hard to say what she has done as I've not used the software myself nor can see what she's done.

Her main confusion was whether to start with herself or her mother, on other software I've seen you set yourself as the starting place then work from there. So if it doesn't matter I will tell her not to worry, but to stick to one family file.

She kept starting again because she thought she'd done it wrong to start with - can she delete the ones she created in error? She's viewed the tutorial disk and is bringing me the booklet that was in the box so I can see what she's talking about.

Any other pointers would be much appreciated. She isn't the most computer-savy person and said herself she got carried away putting information in before she'd read how to start!
thanks again
Jo

Re: Importing Ancestry.com Tree into FTM 2010

rworthington — 2009-11-09 12:28:23Z

Brad,

Please check out this Blog entry for this process:

http://ftmuser.blogspot.com/2009/08/plan-new-file-download-f...

Specifically look at Figure 229 and let us know what the Download ICON says, but continue and see if you still receive that error message.

Russ

Re: Getting Started with FTM 09

rworthington — 2009-11-09 12:23:19Z

jorobexeter,

First, please verify that you are talking about Family Tree Maker Version 2009 and NOT the old Version 9.

You can start anywhere, but starting with your self is a good place to start.

Names that are entered are Birth Names.

I would suggest ONE Family File. I am guessing that when you said that your mum created "3 family trees" that you mean she started three Family Files. Maintaining one Family File is generally the easiest place to start.

Also, I would suggest that she visit this tutorial:

http://www.familytreemaker.com/Support/Tutorial2010/Tutorial...

and also download and read this Getting Started Guide:

http://www.familytreemaker.com/content/FTM2010/GettingStarte...

Russ

Re: Sources Unlink From One Individual and Link to Another When File is Compacted

rworthington — 2009-11-09 12:14:36Z

Jim,

There is a Source-Citation, then for that Source-Citation you can see which Individuals have a FACT with that same Source-Citation.

Did you look at the Person's Name FACT and see what Source-Citations were listed in the RH Panel for that Name FACT? Are there multiple Source-Citations AND are they exactly the same?

Russ

Getting Started with FTM 09

jorobexeter — 2009-11-09 10:24:40Z

Hi, could you help me to help my mum get started with her family tree. I bought it for her and she's struggling a bit and has now created 3 family trees!! Does she start with herself? and does she use her mainden name? she has been married twice, so she wasn't sure which name to use. She first registered with her married name, then started a new family tree using her maiden name, but now its not regognising her becuase she registered in her married name. I'm too far away to help her out in person, so wondered if anyone can give any pointers. She wants to research her mother and father's family trees.

Many thanks in advance

Importing Ancestry.com Tree into FTM 2010

bholt9359 — 2009-11-08 00:24:49Z

I purchased FTM 2010 in part so I could import my ancestry.com tree into FTM complete with images, etc (which is one of the new features) but I am having trouble. I can download it fine, but after I click import to a new tree and save it, I get a Script Error. "An error has occured in the script on this page. Line 1 Char 1. Error: Could not find file c:/users/brad/appdata/local/temp/ .... .ged Code 0 URL: ... trees.ancestry.com ... " Do you wish to continue running scripts on this page?" It doesn't matter if I click Yes or No, it just returns me to the New Tree page. If I try to open the file I just saved, it says it is already open (but there's no tab for the open tree). If I close FTM and try to reopen the file, it says it is already open or is an invalid file type. It goes ahead and opens the file, but the program crashes as soon as I click People. I have tried restarting FTM, the computer, and reinstalling FTM. I can download my file direct from ancestry and open it in FTM, but it does not include the images, etc which is why I bought the new program.

Does anyone know anything else I can try? Is it working for everyone else? Thank you.

Re: Sources Unlink From One Individual and Link to Another When File is Compacted

jim1936 — 2009-11-07 23:49:58Z

Russ,
I thought I posted a reply. But I don't see it.
Is the Source Usage report the same as Source Citation?
I have looked at it. There are multiple entries for three different persons for this source. For two persons, the multiple entries are for the "Name". For another, it for "Birth".
Thanks for the prompt response.
Jim

Re: Which version of FTM?

jamclo — 2009-11-07 23:42:10Z

Version 16 runs on Windows 7 with a patch. This version is probably the best of the versions with the "old" interface. Its "problem", it hat it is not a relational database and the same facts, images, etc., have duplicates in the file. File sizes can get very large (2GB is the max size.)

The new version is a relational database and one image or citation can link to many individual's facts. Overall file size is much smaller. The program is slower than verson 16 with respect to report genration. Overall, I find that 2010 is much more efficient overall for adding citations and sources.

Regards,

Re: Sources Unlink From One Individual and Link to Another When File is Compacted

rworthington — 2009-11-07 22:57:38Z

Jim,

Did you look at the Source-Citation Usage Report?

Russ

Re: Sources Unlink From One Individual and Link to Another When File is Compacted

jim1936 — 2009-11-07 22:52:49Z

I am having chronic problems with sources being replicated.
For example, I have Robert Brooks showing nine links to "Mayflower Increasings". I haven't documented when it happens - it may be when I compact the file. I am using Family Tree Maker 2009 Ver 18.0.0.37. I have cleaned up some of the links, only to find more soon thereafter. I use Windows Vista on a 64 bit machine.
I don't know why this thread stopped -- I didn't see a resolution.

Re: Going to a person's family view using the keyboard

rworthington — 2009-11-07 22:27:05Z

Noralee,

Please click on Help, in Family Tree Maker, Help for Family Tree Maker, select the Index Tab, type the letter K, and you will see keyboard, in blue. At the bottom of that screen click on Display.

A window will open, select Shortcut Keys.

That should help you.

Russ

Going to a person's family view using the keyboard

NORALEE — 2009-11-07 21:58:33Z

Instead of clicking on the blue arrow, is there a way to go to a person's family view (or back to their parents) using a key on the keyboard?

Thanks in advance

Re: Proper method for entering 'unknown' names in FTM2010

johndd189 — 2009-11-07 01:01:50Z

There is no proper method I use "unknown" but whatever scheme you use be consistent across a particular database.

Why?

Because then you can run a custom report (applies to any version of FTM) that will find all people with unknown, or 5 underscores, or whatever scheme you adopt

The other minor thing to consider is, whatever scheme you adopt, pick something that you thinks looks OK when you print it.

John D

Re: Proper method for entering 'unknown' names in FTM2010

rworthington — 2009-11-06 20:13:20Z

Julie,

There isn't really a "proper" method of entering information that you do not have.

I use 5 underscores "_____" (without the quotes) for Birth Names and Surnames that I do not know. If I only know the surname, I enter _____ Surname.

For your consideration, give this a try or try your "unknown" if you wish, but look at a Tree and/or Report to see if you like what each method looks like for you.

I use the 5 underscores so that folks help "fill in the blanks". I like it better then seeing "unknown" in the the text of a Report. The _____ keeps the unknown names at the tome of the Index (F2) or at the top of the Surname list.

Russ

Proper method for entering 'unknown' names in FTM2010

julieblan — 2009-11-06 16:18:20Z

I am interested in finding out the proper method for entering 'unknown' given and surnames in FTM 2010 so that the file will correctly import/export as a GEDCOM file AS well as printing correctly in Family Tree Maker.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Re: Record ID number

lewisny — 2009-11-05 20:41:15Z

Thanks - I have done that.

Re: Record ID number

lewisny — 2009-11-05 12:40:17Z

All relational databases need internal IDs for record pointing. It should be a protected field not subject to overwriting. If an individual is deleted then the number should not be reused.

Manually entering IDs at this point for 1,000+ individuals is a very laborious task.

Re: FTM 2009 307 Not Responding

rworthington — 2009-11-05 19:56:58Z

Diana,

No, it is not a requirement.

Russ

Re: Record ID number

rworthington — 2009-11-05 19:50:18Z

kewusny,

The Internal ID and the Reference ID's are different.

At this point, I would suggest that you go to this website:

http://ancestry.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/ancestry.cfg/php/enduse...

and submit the details of your problem there.

Russ

Re: Which version of FTM?

rworthington — 2009-11-05 19:47:40Z

beangrinder,

Did you attempt to Install your Version 7 on your Windows 7 PC? If so, what happened?

Russ

Re: FTM 2009 Crashes

rworthington — 2009-11-05 19:39:44Z

Kathleen,

What Version of Windows are you using?

Please go to this website:

http://ftm.custhelp.com/

And enter 4442 into the Keyword Search and click on Search.

Russ

Re: FTM 2009 crashes when I try to merge

rworthington — 2009-11-06 13:53:35Z

Nancy,

Folks that reported this problem earlier had reported that it is fixed in 2010. I have not had the problem in 2008, 2009, nor 2010. But, from what I have read, yes, the crash during a Web Merge that appeared in 18.0.0.307 had been resolved in 2010.

Russ

Re: COMPATIBILITY OF WINDOWS 7 & OLDER PROGRAMS

rworthington — 2009-11-05 02:34:56Z

Marlene,

Please go to this website:

http://pastftm.custhelp.com/

Enter 2777 into the Keyword Search box and read that Article. There are a number of solutions for you there.

Russ

Re: FTM 16 error message

rworthington — 2009-11-05 02:32:10Z

Bob,

You might want to go back a couple of back ups to see if you can locate an undamaged file. Sounds like you have had this issue for a while.

Russ

Re: FTM 2010 Crazy Relationships - What's a Better Program to Switch to?

rworthington — 2009-11-05 01:12:52Z

Rose,

Yes I do and I don't have any issues that I have found yet. I think the issue is that we are seeing relationships that we haven't see in the past. The errors that I have seen, in my file, I caused.

Russ

Re: FTM 2010 Crazy Relationships - What's a Better Program to Switch to?

rworthington — 2009-11-05 00:50:47Z

Rose,

The Relationships in 2010 are more accurate then they were in Version 2009.

Russ

FTM 2009 Crashes

kathchoi — 2009-11-05 06:07:19Z

After using it successfully for several months, FTM 2009 began crashing on me. I have the updated version. I have Microsoft WSE 3.0 Runtime. I've uninstalled and reinstalled the program. I tried creating a new family tree thinking the old one might be corrupted. It crashed before I'd finished entering data for the 4th person! I've googled FTM crashes and found that many others are having problems. I'm ready to switch to another program (after decades of happy use). Any advice? Is 2010 any better, or am I just throwing good money after bad?

Re: FTM version 16 and previous will not work on windows 7

kylasandberg — 2009-11-05 23:45:27Z

Thanks for the reply to my post. I have not purchased a windows 7 computer. I was just trying to line up my ducks for the future. Thanks for the link. I was not aware that there was a 32 bit and a 64 bit windows 7. They don't mention the xp mode that is available in some windows 7 versions.

I have tried family tree maker 2010 and I don't like it. For one thing it takes way too long to open and it is too hard for my eyes, no matter how I change the settings.

Re: COMPATIBILITY OF WINDOWS 7 & OLDER PROGRAMS

tschlarm — 2009-11-05 05:12:31Z

Disclaimer:
Note this post may provide a way to get around InstallShield for those having issues in that area. Be aware this is not an officially supported means to install any version of FTM.

If you try any of these options and this walkthrough causes your pet llama emotional distress, I'm sorry. :)

Use at your own risk.

Yes, there is an icon to click on even when the program is not yet installed. The trick is to avoid autoplay when the CD is inserted.

1) Open my computer
2) Hold down the left SHIFT key and insert the FTM cd in the cd drive until the icon for your CD drive changes or the title of the CD next to it changes.
3) Right-click on the drive and choose Open or Explore
===========
For FTM2010 & Vista/Win7.
4) Right click on the setup.exe filename and choose Properties
5) Select the Compatibility tab
6) Change the Compatibility mode to XP SP3
7) Check the Privilege level to 'Run As Administrator'
8) Press OK to close the dialog
9) Double click on setup.exe

================
For FTM2009 & Vista/Win7
Ancestry changed locations for some of their stuff between 2009 & 2010.
4) Go into the fscommand folder
5) Right click on the setup.exe filename and choose Properties
6) Select the Compatibility tab
7) Change the Compatibility mode to XP SP3
8) Check the Privilege level to 'Run As Administrator'
9) Press OK to close the dialog
10) Double click on setup.exe

You may also be able to install FTM2006 doing something similar to the above, though the file/folder names may change. I don't have a FTM2006 CD handy to validate or provide more detailed instructions.

Again the key would be to avoid autoplay.

===================
Option 2 (for FTM2008 & later)

Now if that still fails you can try to run the *.msi directly on the CD. I think this will avoid the InstallShield stuff altogether.

*WARNING* InstallShield does perform some prerequisite checking of your system to make sure everything FTM needs is installed (ie. the .NET Framework). If it's not, it will install it for you. If you are running Vista or Win7 you should already have the .NET Framework installed by default (look in Control Panel/Programs to validate this).

FTM2010
The actual framework installer (dotnetfx20.exe) that is used is down in the ISSetupPrerequsites folder if you want to install the framework manually and avoid InstallShield.

FTM2009
The actual framework installer (dotnetfx20.exe) that is used is down in the fscommand folder if you want to install the framework manually and avoid InstallShield.

If you are running Vista/Win7 you should not have to run the WindowsInstaller-KB893803-x86.exe file. This is Windows installer v3.1. I think it's there mainly for XP machines. Vista shipped with Windows Installer v4 and as such should not be needed by Vista/Win7 machines.

Sorry, I don't have my 2008 install CD to provide instructions for this, but it should be similar.

Hope this helps.

Re: COMPATIBILITY OF WINDOWS 7 & OLDER PROGRAMS

MarleneDaniels66 — 2009-11-05 04:10:43Z

Yes, Mike, that's the problem...all the "fixes" I've found are for programs already on your computer. My problem is that I can't get my FTM06 installed. There doesn't appear to be any fixes for that issue!

I really appreciate everyone's help and suggestions, though!

Re: COMPATIBILITY OF WINDOWS 7 & OLDER PROGRAMS

MarleneDaniels66 — 2009-11-04 22:32:41Z

I have attempted to install it several times but as soon as the FTM page comes up and I click on install, I receive the error message with no option to try again with different settings. It gives me the message for Windows to check for a repair but nothing ever comes from that either.

I guess I never realized that FTM was so "fragile" since I've been using it for so long, but I guess trying an update :( or different program is my best bet! *sigh*

Re: UNABLE TO CLIP IMAGE ERRORS

genealogie20041 — 2009-11-06 03:27:44Z

Thank you

It is certainly something I will check.

Maurice

Re: FTM 2010 Crazy Relationships - What's a Better Program to Switch to?

RoseHaven20260 — 2009-11-05 03:22:05Z

Thanks--I agree.

Re: FTM 2010 Crazy Relationships - What's a Better Program to Switch to?

RoseHaven20260 — 2009-11-05 00:44:53Z

I had just purchased FTM 2009 this summer and encountered some relationship problems. I was told that FTM 2010 fixed these problems, so I purchased it. I was so disappointed! Some of the relationships that FTM 2010 lists makes my head hurt to even try to figure them out.

Do you think there is any possibility that they will issue a fix for the problem or do I just need to purchase another program?

Re: FTM 2010 Crazy Relationships - What's a Better Program to Switch to?

RoseHaven20260 — 2009-11-05 00:56:04Z

I was told by support that FTM 2010 would correct the relationship problems that I had with FTM 2009. My experience is that the FTM 2009 problems were minor compared to the ones I have with FTM 2010.

Do you use FTM 2010? Are you not having problems with the relationship calculator?

Re: FTM 16 error message

Canuck45 — 2009-11-04 23:09:30Z

Russ,

I always back up my file when ever it is used.
I did the restore from backup and got the same error.

Bob

Re: Which version of FTM?

paulsheats1 — 2009-11-05 01:02:11Z

Thanks Russ and John. Just ordered FTM 2010.

Re: FTM 2009 crashes when I try to merge

Nancy41657 — 2009-11-06 00:37:33Z

It happens to me also. Sometimes I have to close down and start back up several times during an ancestry.com session. Whatever the problem is, are you certain it has been fixed in 2010?

Re: COMPATIBILITY OF WINDOWS 7 & OLDER PROGRAMS

mikewilliams641 — 2009-11-05 06:38:47Z

> Sorry, I don't have my 2008 install CD to provide instructions for this, but it should be similar.

Although I did run through all of these things with FTM 2008 a few months ago and they didn't work.

Re: COMPATIBILITY OF WINDOWS 7 & OLDER PROGRAMS

mikewilliams641 — 2009-11-05 02:43:25Z

That article only addresses the PDF issue. It does not help people who have FTM fail to install or have it crash on start (my two experiences, the former from a new install, the latter from FTM on Vista upgraded to Win7).

http://pastftm.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/pastftm.cfg/php/enduser/...

The article says: "If you continue to have difficulties after following these steps—and you have Windows Vista or Windows 7 and are using Family Tree Maker 2005 or later—please click the Email FTM Support tab at the top of this Knowledge Base article to reach Technical Support. "

And then Technical Support will either tell you that Windows 7 is not supported and/or to buy a more recent version.

Re: COMPATIBILITY OF WINDOWS 7 & OLDER PROGRAMS

mikewilliams641 — 2009-11-04 21:58:32Z

If an install fails, Windows 7 puts up a dialog asking if you'd like to try again with different settings. This allows compatibility mode to be applied.

Given my experience however FTM is a specially bad case.

If you want to give it a last heroic try, find the install program and use my earlier suggestion (Properties->Compatibility) to run it.

Otherwise use one of the other genealogy programs out there that are less delicate.

Re: FTM version 16 and previous will not work on windows 7

apw1987 — 2009-11-05 22:48:28Z

Have you installed the patch to make FTM16 work with Windows 7? If you have Windows 7 32bit and want FTM16 to work on it then go here >>> http://ancestry.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/ancestry.cfg/php/enduse...

Of course though if its 64bit then I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't work.

Re: Which version of FTM?

beangrinder — 2009-11-05 22:32:36Z

To tell the truth, I didn't try it on Windows 7. I tried it on Vista which came with my new computer and it didn't work and the FTM website said it wouldn't. So a month later when I upgraded to Windows 7, I just assumed it wouldn't work their either.....and I believe that FTM said it didn't support it there, either, but I can't recall. However......after I posted my complaint, I read another post here where someone showed how you could toggle between the pedigree view alone and a split view in the bottom panel which does show the family view similar to the old version. I still don't like the new version, but I can live with it now.

Re: Which version of FTM?

beangrinder — 2009-11-05 06:43:32Z

I am in complete sympathy with you. I was happily using FTM Deluxe ver. 7.0 (from 1999, I believe)which had the same view that you liked. With a new computer and Windows 7, I had to buy FTM 2010 and it is the biggest piece of crap software I've ever bought and the least user friendly. I, too, will be searching for another product. I would've paid $100 to be able to run my old version 7.0 on my new computer, but this company won't support it anymore.

Re: FTM 2010 Crazy Relationships - What's a Better Program to Switch to?

shelren — 2009-11-06 01:39:19Z

They may be more accurate, yes. But accuracy isn't what's needed. It's common sense relationships everybody understands. I mean, "Wife of great grand nephew of wife of brother-in-law of father-in-law of 20th great grand-aunt"? Yeah, that's accurate all right, but makes no sense. Ridiculous.

Re: FTM 2009 307 Not Responding

Diana_Smith_ — 2009-11-05 15:21:46Z

I'm confused: does FTM require or depend on MSIE? It seems odd to me that one program would dictate what other programs have to be on your machine.

Re: FTM 2010 Crazy Relationships - What's a Better Program to Switch to?

LCCjr21 — 2009-11-05 02:32:05Z

RoseHaven,

I think Sheila Robinson's last post says it all. Give it up ! I don't know if you have contacted FTM support, but so far their two suggestions to me on how to fix the problem(s) have not worked.

Larry