SL Chat: Merging databases

NOTE from DearMYRTLE: This is the text of the genealogy chat last night held last evening at the Family History Centre in Second Life in a public, open discussion format. Many thanks to the participants who added to the conversation by sharing their personal genealogy software experiences. For directions on how to get into Second Life to attend future genealogy chats, see: INTERESTED in actually joining Second Life?


PRE-MEETING DISCUSSIONS
[16:58] Bela Cela: konnichiwa! :)
[16:58] Binbag Slonimsk: hi bela
[16:58] Binbag Slonimsk: hi clarise
[16:59] Clarise Beaumont: Hello ladies!
[17:00] Binbag Slonimsk: clarise- I've taken the plunge and am going to start a surname blog
[17:00] Austin Shepherd is Online
[17:00] Clarise Beaumont: WONDERFUL BinBag!
[17:00] Clarise Beaumont: good for you!
[17:00] Bela Cela: a ssmufin good idea
[17:01] Clarise Beaumont: have you set it up yet?
[17:01] Binbag Slonimsk: i think it will help me organize my research and keep my brain straight
[17:01] Binbag Slonimsk: just started working on it on blogger
[17:01] Clarise Beaumont: Blogger is a good resource
[17:01] Binbag Slonimsk: I will do a separate post for each person, with sources
[17:01] Clarise Beaumont: that is FANTASTIC.
[17:02] Clarise Beaumont: I hope you'll give us the URL when you are ready.
[17:02] Binbag Slonimsk: I also had a question for anyone who might know the answer to it- does anyone know the measurement of a "hogshead" in merchant's terms? is it like a barrel?
[17:02] Clarise Beaumont: hiya Russ.
[17:03] Binbag Slonimsk: hi russ
[17:03] Clarise Beaumont is checking wikipedia for you Binbag
[17:03] Binbag Slonimsk: tx
[17:03] Clarise Beaumont: "A hogshead is a large cask of liquid (less often, of a food commodity). More specifically, it refers to a specified volume, measured in either Imperial units or U.S. customary units, primarily applied to alcoholic beverages such as wine, ale, or cider."
[17:03] Clarise Beaumont: "A tobacco hogshead was used in American colonial times to transport and store tobacco. It was a very large wooden barrel. A standardized hogshead measured 48 inches (1220 mm) long and 30 inches (760 mm) in diameter at the head (at least 550 L, depending on the width in the middle), Fully packed with tobacco, it weighed about 1000 pounds (450 kg)."
[17:03] Clarise Beaumont: "The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) notes that the hogshead was first standardized by an act of Parliament in 1423, though the standards continued to vary by locality and content. For example, the OED cites an 1897 edition of Whitaker's Almanack, which specified the number of gallons of wine in a hogshead varying by type of wine: claret 46 (presumably imperial) gallons, port 57, sherry 54; and Madeira 46. (209, 259, 245, and 209 L) The American Heritage Dictionary claims that a hogshead can consist of anything from 62.5 to 140 (presumably U.S.) gallons (235-530 L)."
[17:04] Binbag Slonimsk: wow- mine was for hogsheads of tobacco- holy cow that would make a lot of tobacco!
[17:04] Clarise Beaumont: more....
[17:04] Clarise Beaumont: "Eventually, a hogshead of wine came to be 63 wine/US gallons or 52.5 imperial gallons (both ~238.5 L), while a hogshead of beer or ale is 54 gallons (250 L if old beer/ale gallons, 245 L if imperial).

A hogshead was also used as unit of measurement for sugar in Louisiana for most of the 19th century. Plantations were listed in sugar schedules as having produced x number of hogsheads of sugar or molasses."
[17:05] Bela Cela thinks you are hogging the topic hihi
[17:05] Clarise Beaumont: SOURCE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hogshead
[17:05] Clarise Beaumont: LOL Bela!
[17:05] Clarise Beaumont: Hiya Leonard... have a seat dear.
[17:05] Clarise Beaumont: This is my RL fiance, everyone
[17:05] Clarise Beaumont: WELCOME emmalee, have a seat.
[17:05] Binbag Slonimsk: thank you so much- things are taking shape in my mind- they must have had a HUGE warehouse
[17:06] Bela Cela: 1L? OMG.
[17:06] Clarise Beaumont: amazing.
[17:06] Clarise Beaumont: yup -- first life.
[17:06] Binbag Slonimsk: hello leonard!
[17:06] Genie Weezles: howdy leonard
[17:07] Leonard Greybeard: Hello all
[17:07] Tina Ubble: hi everyone
[17:07] Bela Cela: Halllooooo
[17:07] Clarise Beaumont: hiya Tina.
[17:07] Derek Ghennyn is Online
[17:07] Clarise Beaumont: we've got seven minutes to go.
[17:08] Clarise Beaumont: WELCOME Derek.
[17:08] Russ Hazelnut: Hi, Derek
[17:08] Chat Range: Kyzmiaz Laws [17m]
[17:08] ChristianMormon Kidd is Offline
[17:08] Genie Weezles: hi Derek
[17:08] Clarise Beaumont: RIGHT CLICK a chair seat, then select SIT.
[17:08] Binbag Slonimsk: hi derek
[17:08] Russ Hazelnut: Hi, Leonard
[17:08] Derek Ghennyn: Hey, how it is going?
[17:08] Gmama4 Luckstone is Online
[17:09] Clarise Beaumont: You don't have to walk to the chair to be able to click on it.
[17:09] Clarise Beaumont: your avatar will move there for you once you select SIT.
[17:09] Derek Ghennyn: Alrightee.
[17:09] Russ Hazelnut: Hi, Kyzmiaz
[17:09] Clarise Beaumont: You've got it, by George, I think you've got it!
[17:09] Kyzmiaz Laws: Hiya
[17:09] Emmalee Bayn: Hi, I''m a real newbie!
[17:10] Russ Hazelnut: Hi, Emmalee
[17:10] Close Range: Kyzmiaz Laws [26m]
[17:10] Binbag Slonimsk: Clarise, have you heard from Austin? I was going to ask him if I could use his name on my new blog since he did some research for me in KY
[17:10] Clarise Beaumont: welcome Emmalee... we'll begin the chat in about five minutes
[17:10] Bela Cela: newbie alert! newbie alert!
[17:10] Clarise Beaumont: in the mean time let's just get settled in.
[17:10] Lindsey Larkham: I'm back Hi all.
[17:10] Russ Hazelnut: Welcome, Lindsey
[17:10] Clarise Beaumont: Austin is online right now, Binbag.
[17:11] Lindsey Larkham: Hi Russ
[17:11] Binbag Slonimsk: he seems to come online before our meetings, but have not seen him here in ages
[17:11] Russ Hazelnut: Welcome, Kaylee
[17:11] Long Range: Gmama4 Luckstone [75m]
[17:11] Binbag Slonimsk: I might have to just email him
[17:11] Clarise Beaumont: yes, that is true --- no problem.
[17:11] kaylee Korbitza: good evening
[17:11] Clarise Beaumont: Hiya Kaylee.
[17:11] Binbag Slonimsk: wow- lots of new folks here
[17:12] Emmalee Bayn: Hi all. I need to rest and listen and "lurk".
[17:12] Clarise Beaumont: I've heard from Barbara that Kaylee and Russ and Tina have been VERY helpful with our newbie genealogy friends this past week.
[17:12] Russ Hazelnut: Hi, Genej
[17:12] Lindsey Larkham: Yes, they have
[17:12] Bela Cela: kaylee sitting in my lap?
[17:12] Clarise Beaumont: Also Constantine Kyomoon, owner of Live Roots.
[17:12] GeneJ Composer: I'm Lost again
[17:12] Genie Weezles: howdy russ!
[17:12] Russ Hazelnut: Hi Gmma4
[17:12] Russ Hazelnut: Hi, Genie
[17:12] kaylee Korbitza: oops. sorry Bela. I sure didn't see you there
[17:12] Gmama4 Luckstone: Hi all
[17:12] Namaste Deezul: Opps sorry
[17:13] Clarise Beaumont: That is simply WONDERFUL, becaus ein RL, I've been looking for my wedding dress, and haven't been online as much.
[17:13] Genie Weezles: hi namaste
[17:13] Namaste Deezul: Hi everyone
[17:13] Clarise Beaumont: but the few times I HAVE been on, it has been very busy at JUST GENEALOGY and LIVE ROOTS.
[17:13] kaylee Korbitza: Hiya Namaste
[17:13] Chat Range: Dinah Larkham [12m]
[17:13] kaylee Korbitza: Bela, I still don't see anything except your bubble :-)
[17:13] Bela Cela is invisible
[17:13] Derek Ghennyn: Live Roots?? (Most of mine are dead)
[17:13] Genie Weezles: me too, bela
[17:14] Binbag Slonimsk: that's great- might have to get some bleachers put in here to handle the numbers!
[17:14] Russ Hazelnut: Hi, Dinah
[17:14] Clarise Beaumont: this is WONDERFUL -- because as we increase in size - we increase our chances of finding SOMEONE ELSE who is researching the same localities.
[17:14] Clarise Beaumont: LOL
[17:14] Clarise Beaumont: WELCOME all.
[17:14] Bela Cela: hi all
[17:14] kaylee Korbitza: iya Con
[17:14] Constantine Kyomoon: hello everyone
[17:15] Clarise Beaumont: I'll stand so someone can have my seat.
[17:15] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:15] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:15] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:15] Russ Hazelnut: Hi, Marie and Con
[17:15] Namaste Deezul: will be afk fas
[17:15] Clarise Beaumont: are we ready?
[17:15] kaylee Korbitza: Yes, me too
[17:15] Marie Medina: Hi All

THE MEETING BEGINS...
[17:15] Clarise Beaumont: I’d like to take the opportunity to WELCOME everyone to tonight’s Family History Centre genealogy chat.
[17:15] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:15] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:15] Clarise Beaumont: I've heard from Barbara that Kaylee and Russ and Tina have been VERY helpful with our newbie genealogy friends this past week. Also Constantine Kyomoon, owner of Live Roots.
[17:15] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:15] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:15] kaylee Korbitza: glad to help
[17:15] Clarise Beaumont: This is WONDERFUL to see new faces... it gives us OLD TIMERS in Second Life
[17:16] Clarise Beaumont: a thrill to see more people getting into SL and seeing how FUN it is
[17:16] Tina Ubble: doing what we can
[17:16] Clarise Beaumont: to communicate with other genealogists.
[17:16] Clarise Beaumont: Thanks to Barbara, Tina, Kaylee, Russ and Constantine for all you've done this week
[17:16] kaylee Korbitza: yw
[17:16] Clarise Beaumont: to help the newbies adjust to life in SL
[17:16] Constantine Kyomoon: glad to help
[17:16] Russ Hazelnut: YW
[17:16] kaylee Korbitza: paying it forward
[17:16] Marie Medina: We couldn't have done it without them
[17:16] Clarise Beaumont: Russ has a NOTECARD with helpful hints for those of you newbies.
[17:17] Clarise Beaumont: so if you'd like a copy, be sure to answer YES at this time on the screen, so Russ can give one to you.
[17:17] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:17] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:17] Clarise Beaumont: We are guests of the folks at Adam ondi Ahmen and as such we agree to abide by PG nature of these grounds.
[17:17] Gmama4 Luckstone: yes
[17:17] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:17] Lindsey Larkham: Yes
[17:17] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:17] Marie Medina: yes
[17:17] Derek Ghennyn: Aye
[17:17] GeneJ Composer: Where is yes
[17:17] Genie Weezles: yes
[17:17] Clarise Beaumont: We’re on the porch of the Family History Centre – much larger than most Family History Centers you’d find in RL (real life) wouldn’t you say?
[17:17] Chat Range: Russ Hazelnut [6m]
[17:17] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:17] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:18] Clarise Beaumont: How many of you have taken the time to tour this building?
[17:18] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:18] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:18] kaylee Korbitza: I have
[17:18] Genie Weezles: i did
[17:18] Marie Medina: I have
[17:18] Binbag Slonimsk: I have
[17:18] Gmama4 Luckstone: I have
[17:18] Derek Ghennyn: Ditto
[17:18] Genie Weezles: most of it
[17:18] GeneJ Composer: Yes
[17:18] Bela Cela: did once months ago
[17:18] Tina Ubble: me
[17:18] Clarise Beaumont: Did you discover anything new to help with your research?
[17:18] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:18] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:18] Clarise Beaumont: It is chock full of clickable signs and laptops, etc. that will give you links to useful genealogy “how-to”, index and scanned image websites.
[17:18] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:18] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:18] Bela Cela: free access to ancestry?
[17:18] Genie Weezles: lol
[17:19] Clarise Beaumont: how we WISH!
[17:19] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:19] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:19] kaylee Korbitza: not hardly
[17:19] Belle Shepherd is Online
[17:19] Clarise Beaumont: We've tried to provide CONTENT in the form of clickable (or touchable) objects
[17:19] Clarise Beaumont: here in SL to give you ideas even if you decide to sign on at times when the "helpers" aren't around to assist you with your SL or genealogy questions.
[17:19] Clarise Beaumont: Behind Constantine to the left of the FRONT DOOR
[17:20] Clarise Beaumont: you will see the CALENDAR link
[17:20] Clarise Beaumont: RIGHT CLICK to TOUCH and select TOUCH
[17:20] Clarise Beaumont: and you will be given a link to the UGG Union of Genealogy Groups jointly maintained calendar.
[17:20] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:20] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:20] Clarise Beaumont: http://www.google.comcalendarembed?src=ak36i46rsv6nume1fk7anjbp40%40group.calendar.google.comz=America/Los_Angeles

[17:21] Clarise Beaumont: This is where you'd find out about upcoming chats, chill outs and such
[17:21] Clarise Beaumont: for genealogists here in SL.
[17:21] Lindsey Larkham: TY Russ
[17:21] Clarise Beaumont: For instance, earlier today between 3-5pm Kaylee hosted a SL newcomer tour.
[17:21] Clarise Beaumont: THANKS Kaylee.
[17:21] Clarise Beaumont: TONIGHT's Family History Centre discussion involves MERGING DATABASES
[17:21] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:21] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:21] Marie Medina: I missed that...drat
[17:22] kaylee Korbitza: yw Clarise
[17:22] Clarise Beaumont smiles
[17:22] kaylee Korbitza: I may do it again sometime.
[17:22] Clarise Beaumont: SO since we have a slightly different group here tonight -- tell me WHICH genealogy program do you use PRIMARILY for your database?
[17:22] kaylee Korbitza: ftm
[17:22] Leonard Greybeard: TMG
[17:22] Tina Ubble: rm4
[17:22] Binbag Slonimsk: reunion
[17:22] Gmama4 Luckstone: Reunion
[17:22] Dinah Larkham: RootsMagic
[17:23] GeneJ Composer: TMG and GenBox
[17:23] Bela Cela: RM
[17:23] Namaste Deezul: FTM 2009
[17:23] Lindsey Larkham: Reunion
[17:23] Derek Ghennyn: Rm
[17:23] Bela Cela: newbies can go to noob island to learn a lot
[17:23] Marie Medina: Legacy
[17:23] Genie Weezles: legacy
[17:23] Belle Shepherd: legacy
[17:23] Clarise Beaumont: The various genealogy programs you've mentioned each conform to a GEDCOM format
[17:23] Clarise Beaumont: which permits the export and import of another database
[17:23] Derek Ghennyn: Thank goodness.
[17:24] Clarise Beaumont: What is a GEDCOM file?
[17:24] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:24] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:24] Clarise Beaumont: any guesses?
[17:24] Derek Ghennyn: Formatted data for genealogy.
[17:24] Bela Cela: GEDCOM is magic :-)
[17:24] Genie Weezles: genealogical data communication?
[17:24] Marie Medina: A program that allow two computers using different gen programs to share data
[17:24] Clarise Beaumont: You are right Bela -- and Genie has the correct wording for sure --- From the RootsMagic Version 4 help files we read "GEDCOM is an acronym for GEnealogical Data COMmunication, and was developed as a standard for exchanging computerized genealogical data."
[17:25] Clarise Beaumont: what does this MEAN?
[17:25] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:25] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:25] Genie Weezles: means we can share files
[17:25] Genie Weezles: in a common format
[17:25] Derek Ghennyn: A trick to get you to mess up all the research you've already verified by merging with some idiot's stuff on the Internet.
[17:25] Clarise Beaumont: yes -- even if we don't have the same genealogy program.
[17:25] Genie Weezles: lol derek
[17:25] Bela Cela: derek oh!
[17:25] Clarise Beaumont: hehehehe Derek -- sounds like you've had a time of it, eh?
[17:25] Derek Ghennyn: I only merge with a COPY now.
[17:25] Clarise Beaumont: GOOD thinking, Derek ---
[17:26] Clarise Beaumont: the first concept when deciding to MERGE databases
[17:26] Clarise Beaumont: ie:
[17:26] Clarise Beaumont: YOUR EXCELLENT DATABASE with
[17:26] Clarise Beaumont: someone else's work
[17:26] Tabitha Zeffirelli is Online
[17:26] Derek Ghennyn: Life is a harsh teacher -- she gives the TEST first, then the lesson.
[17:26] Clarise Beaumont: with
[17:26] Clarise Beaumont: is BACKUP your existing database.... AND use a copy of the database to create the merge database.
[17:26] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:26] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:26] Clarise Beaumont: Most genealogical software programs can import and export GEDCOM files. This makes it easy to exchange and share information with relatives and others.
[17:26] Bela Cela: or never split?
[17:27] Clarise Beaumont: In fact, I refuse to consider a genealogy software program that doesn't have GEDCOM capabilities.
[17:27] Clarise Beaumont: It is like cutting off yoour right hand
[17:27] Derek Ghennyn: ouch!
[17:27] Mosseveno Tenk is Offline
[17:27] Clarise Beaumont: no point in having to TYPE in ALL the NEW info provided by a distant cousin.
[17:27] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:27] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:27] Bela Cela: note to self: right-hand cutting is PG
[17:27] Clarise Beaumont: Let me also point out that
[17:28] Derek Ghennyn: Pretty Gross, Bela?
[17:28] Clarise Beaumont: if you have a MAC and you wish to import a GEDCOM file, you can receive it through email -- and it is generic enough for you to work the file into your Reunions or some other genealogy database program.
[17:28] Selena Cliassi: Hi everyone, had trouble getting here tonight
[17:28] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:28] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:29] Clarise Beaumont: so BEFORE we talk about importing a GEDCOM file
[17:29] Clarise Beaumont: let's discuss what the OTHER PARTY has gone through to CREATE the GEDCOM File for you.
[17:29] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:29] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:29] Clarise Beaumont: has anyone created a GEDCOM file before?
[17:29] Namaste Deezul: yes
[17:29] Tina Ubble: yes
[17:29] Marie Medina: yes
[17:29] Gmama4 Luckstone: yes
[17:29] Selena Cliassi: Yes
[17:29] Bela Cela: lol all the time
[17:29] Clarise Beaumont: What were some of the OPTIONS you considered BEFORE creating the GEDCOM file?
[17:29] Genie Weezles: what info to export
[17:29] Bela Cela: sorry
[17:29] Genie Weezles: notes or not
[17:30] Marie Medina: Who to include in the gendcom...what line
[17:30] Gmama4 Luckstone: including notes and sources
[17:30] Namaste Deezul: excluding living relatives
[17:30] Belle Shepherd: yes
[17:30] Clarise Beaumont: (thse options are pretty much universal among genealogy programs -- and are usualy found under FILE, then EXPORT)
[17:30] Clarise Beaumont: You also have the option to INCLUDE or EXCLUDE notes, private notes, sources, etc.
[17:30] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:30] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:30] Clarise Beaumont: Let us hope the person who is sharing their GEDCOM file DIDN'T elect to EXCLUDE notes and sources, eh?
[17:30] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:30] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:31] Derek Ghennyn: Rahthur!
[17:31] Namaste Deezul: lol yes
[17:31] Genie Weezles: i don't usually share my notes
[17:31] Clarise Beaumont: I'd consider EXCLUDING living individuals.
[17:31] Clarise Beaumont: have you labeled them PRIVATE NOTES?
[17:31] Derek Ghennyn: I do.
[17:31] Genie Weezles: no
[17:31] Namaste Deezul: hmmm no I haven't
[17:31] Clarise Beaumont: if so, you could INCLUDE notes, and EXCLUDE those marked private.
[17:31] Clarise Beaumont: but that is OK.
[17:31] Selena Cliassi: I haven't either
[17:31] Clarise Beaumont: Whatever you feel formfortable doing.
[17:32] Clarise Beaumont: comfortable
[17:32] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:32] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:32] Clarise Beaumont: SO, you can see from the choices experienced GEDCOM creators in our own group have made
[17:32] Clarise Beaumont: that the GEDCOM file YOU receive from someone may come with a little or a lot of information about your common ancestors.
[17:32] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:32] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:33] Clarise Beaumont: Now --
[17:33] Chat Range: Marie Medina [4m]
[17:33] Chat Range: Belle Shepherd [8m]
[17:33] Clarise Beaumont: the process of IMPORTING a GEDCOM file
[17:33] kaylee Korbitza: do gedcoms have sources noted? Its been awhile...
[17:33] Clarise Beaumont: they can have a UNIVERSAL source citation -- on importing --- where you specify from whom you've received the data
[17:33] Clarise Beaumont: or
[17:33] Clarise Beaumont: the invidual source notes or notes
[17:34] kaylee Korbitza: kk
[17:34] Clarise Beaumont: MAY have been incldued in the GEDCOM file creation process.
[17:34] Clarise Beaumont: You don't know until you open it.
[17:34] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:34] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:34] Clarise Beaumont: that brings up a good point.
[17:34] Clarise Beaumont: you MAY have someone who wishes to share his/her data.
[17:34] Clarise Beaumont: and you ARE ADVISED to create an EMPTY database, then IMPORT the GEDCOM file
[17:34] Clarise Beaumont: so you can take a look at it.
[17:35] Clarise Beaumont: you may upon closer examanation
[17:35] Clarise Beaumont: determine that it is ill advised to import the GEDCOM file.
[17:35] Derek Ghennyn: There are GEDCOM viewer, too.
[17:35] Clarise Beaumont: but you won't know until you look.
[17:35] Clarise Beaumont: Certainly Derek.
[17:35] Russ Hazelnut: Clarise - Very good suggestion
[17:35] Clarise Beaumont: do you have a favorite one to recommend?
[17:35] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:35] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:35] Bela Cela love genviewer
[17:35] Marie Medina: I use GenViewer Lit - it's free
[17:35] Russ Hazelnut: I would add that you Back up your existing File BEFORE you open that GECOM file
[17:35] Derek Ghennyn: GENviewer is also my FAVE.
[17:35] Clarise Beaumont: Isn't ther eon called GEDView?
[17:35] Russ Hazelnut: Filve
[17:35] Bela Cela: yes free!
[17:36] Derek Ghennyn: aye, GEDview
[17:36] Clarise Beaumont: ok -- I just use my RootsMagic, and create an empty database...b ut WHATEVER METHOD you chose
[17:36] Clarise Beaumont: GEDView or a blank database --
[17:36] Clarise Beaumont: you will LEARN A GREAT DEAL about the other database
[17:36] Clarise Beaumont: by viewing it
[17:36] Clarise Beaumont: and spot checking it
[17:36] Derek Ghennyn: Free is good. This is the land of the free, right?
[17:36] Clarise Beaumont: you can also open your existing MARVELOUSLY GREAT, WONDERFULLY DOCUMENTED genealogy database
[17:37] Clarise Beaumont: in another window, place them side by side to accomplish your comparisons.
[17:37] Chat Range: Marie Medina [4m]
[17:37] Chat Range: Belle Shepherd [8m]
[17:37] Derek Ghennyn: laboriously documented.
[17:37] Clarise Beaumont: RootsMagic allows you to do this readily.
[17:37] Clarise Beaumont: oh yes LABORIOUSLY DOCUMENTED.
[17:37] Clarise Beaumont: thanks for reminding me Derek!
[17:37] Clarise Beaumont smiles
[17:37] Clarise Beaumont takes a deep breath and trudges forward in the discussion.
[17:37] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:37] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:37] Clarise Beaumont: so let's say you decide you
[17:37] Bela Cela: http://www.mudcreeksoftware.com/genviewer_lite.htm
[17:38] Clarise Beaumont: WONDERFUL Bella! -- ABSOLUTELY LOVE the information you have provided.
[17:38] Clarise Beaumont: ok - if the gEDCOM file you've received is ACCEPTABLE
[17:38] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:38] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:38] Clarise Beaumont: to your
[17:38] Clarise Beaumont: high, exacting standards
[17:38] Clarise Beaumont: and you wish to import it into your existing database
[17:38] Clarise Beaumont: you will merely click FILE, and IMPORT in which ever genealogy program you are using
[17:39] Clarise Beaumont: and follow the screen prompts for locating the GEDCOM file on your computer
[17:39] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:39] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:39] Clarise Beaumont: I tend to place such things on my desktop, until I determine WHAT ON EARTH
[17:39] Clarise Beaumont: to do with them.
[17:39] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:39] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:39] Clarise Beaumont: So do you know the NEXT STEP?
[17:39] Clarise Beaumont: (the two databases are now existing in your copy of your database.)
[17:39] Russ Hazelnut: BACK UP your file)
[17:40] Clarise Beaumont: Yes, you backed up
[17:40] Genie Weezles: merge folks
[17:40] Clarise Beaumont: and you are working with a COPY.
[17:40] Russ Hazelnut: TY
[17:40] Marie Medina: match/merge
[17:40] Derek Ghennyn: Carbonite rules.
[17:40] GeneJ Composer: Check for duplicaes
[17:40] Clarise Beaumont: :)
[17:40] Clarise Beaumont: This is the painful part.
[17:40] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:40] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:40] Clarise Beaumont: MERGING is indeed the next step -- and it can take you hours or days
[17:40] Genie Weezles: legacy also allows you to drag and drop just the folks you want
[17:40] Clarise Beaumont: depending on the size of the import.
[17:40] Derek Ghennyn: Bring your lunch.
[17:40] Clarise Beaumont: RootsMagic also allows you to drag and drop.
[17:40] Bela Cela: hire an intern?
[17:41] Clarise Beaumont: the person, the ancestors and
[17:41] Clarise Beaumont: the ancestors and families of the ancestors.
[17:41] Clarise Beaumont: hehehehehe ee Bela -- I like where you are going with that.
[17:41] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:41] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:41] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:41] Clarise Beaumont: Let me give you an example
[17:41] Clarise Beaumont: If I type in the names of my direct line
[17:41] Clarise Beaumont: me
[17:41] Clarise Beaumont: my dad
[17:41] Clarise Beaumont: his dad
[17:41] Clarise Beaumont: and his grandfather
[17:41] Clarise Beaumont: I have 4 individuals in my genealogy database.
[17:42] Clarise Beaumont: If I import a gEDCOM file that starts with my Dad's grandfather
[17:42] Derek Ghennyn: And possibly EIGHT different birth dates.
[17:42] Clarise Beaumont: and that includes 60 individuals, I'll have 64 individuals in my database.
[17:42] Clarise Beaumont: (one second Derek)
[17:42] Derek Ghennyn: oops
[17:42] Clarise Beaumont: in fact the imported data ISN'T SHOWING up yet on my pedigree view
[17:43] Clarise Beaumont: SINCE the duplicate indivdual entries for my dad's grandfather haven't been merged.
[17:43] Clarise Beaumont: so the ACT OF MERGING indivuals
[17:43] Clarise Beaumont: helps get rid of the two separate trees in my genealogy database.
[17:43] Clarise Beaumont: DOES this description make ANY SENSE whatsoever?
[17:43] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:43] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:43] Namaste Deezul: yes got ya
[17:43] Kyzmiaz Laws: yes
[17:43] Marie Medina: y
[17:43] Clarise Beaumont: Now, Derek, most of the newer genelaogy databases allow for MULTIPLE EVENT entries
[17:44] Chat Range: Marie Medina [4m]
[17:44] Chat Range: Bela Cela [7m]
[17:44] Clarise Beaumont: so that the multiple birth dates you mentioned
[17:44] Clarise Beaumont: can show up for one individual.
[17:44] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:44] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:44] Clarise Beaumont: You can select the one you BELIEVE
[17:44] Clarise Beaumont: based on your exhaustive research
[17:45] Clarise Beaumont: and the others SHOULD be mentioned in your NOTES as those dates that you rejected and WHY.
[17:45] Clarise Beaumont: That way
[17:45] Clarise Beaumont: WHENEVER
[17:45] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:45] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:45] Clarise Beaumont: you run across another researcher who SWEARS by a different birthdate
[17:45] Clarise Beaumont: you'll have your answer in notes
[17:45] Clarise Beaumont: and will be able to copy/paste that info
[17:45] Derek Ghennyn: Purrrrrfect.
[17:45] Clarise Beaumont: to the other researcher without having to RETHINK your whole reasoning.
[17:45] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:45] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:45] Clarise Beaumont nods at Derek.
[17:45] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:45] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:46] Clarise Beaumont: all of the genealogy programs mentioned will print, to file or printer, a report of your merging
[17:46] Clarise Beaumont: most will print these additional kind of reports that include:
[17:46] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:46] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:46] Clarise Beaumont: possible record problems
[17:46] Clarise Beaumont: possible duplicate individuals.
[17:47] Clarise Beaumont: have you had any experience with these types of reports?
[17:47] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:47] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:47] Namaste Deezul: yes
[17:47] Derek Ghennyn: Aye
[17:47] Marie Medina: yes.
[17:47] Gmama4 Luckstone: yeYes
[17:47] Clarise Beaumont: Namaste and Derek, care to share what you thought of those reports?
[17:47] Bela Cela: producfe huge lists of persons taht do not match at alll :-(
[17:47] Clarise Beaumont: also Marie and Gmama?
[17:47] Derek Ghennyn: They helped me clean up the problems with the data.
[17:47] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:47] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:47] Derek Ghennyn: Alerted me to where the problems were.
[17:47] Namaste Deezul: Yes I was able to do some housekeeping
[17:48] Genie Weezles: ditto everyone
[17:48] Marie Medina: When it finds info it doesn't know what to do with...
[17:48] Gmama4 Luckstone: I often send out a report to share first before sending whole gedcom
[17:48] Clarise Beaumont: As Bela mentioned, SOME of the listings can be ridiculous -- as you can see that SOME individuals aren't a match at all.
[17:48] Genie Weezles: makes it easy to see where you need to clean up
[17:48] Marie Medina: it puts it in notes....
[17:48] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:48] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:48] Marie Medina: sometimes it just deletes it completely
[17:48] Clarise Beaumont: Good ideas
[17:48] Gmama4 Luckstone: that way we know if our people relate
[17:48] Clarise Beaumont: kewl, Gmama.
[17:48] Clarise Beaumont: I also like the idea
[17:48] Clarise Beaumont: of working through the possible duplicate individuals print out
[17:48] Derek Ghennyn: Marie, I don't like the deletes it completely idea.
[17:49] Clarise Beaumont: because though I NEVER CREATE DUPLICATE INDIVIDUALS IN MY OWN MARVELOUSLY COMPILED EXHAUSTIVELY RESEARCHED database
[17:49] Clarise Beaumont: the other researcher's GEDCOM file
[17:49] Russ Hazelnut: I know that Family Tree Maker will generate a Text file of problems that were note merged (a .LST file)
[17:49] Gmama4 Luckstone: I have messed up on merges when it was the same person but dates off.
[17:49] Clarise Beaumont: may have duplicates that ween't cleaned up before he shared with me.
[17:49] Gmama4 Luckstone: then lost a lot of info
[17:49] Derek Ghennyn: .LST is a good thing.
[17:49] Clarise Beaumont nods
[17:49] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:49] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:49] Derek Ghennyn: Right, Clarise, you inherit the other person's mistakes.
[17:49] Clarise Beaumont nods
[17:50] Clarise Beaumont notes sadly this is TRUE.
[17:50] Clarise Beaumont: LOl
[17:50] Clarise Beaumont: so though it is POSSIBLE to merge data from another's database into yours, PLEASE do so WISELY and carefully.
[17:50] Derek Ghennyn: resist the urge to merge!
[17:50] Clarise Beaumont: If you get buried inthe merging process, you can always revert back to your pre-GEDCOM file that is in backup format.
[17:50] Gmama4 Luckstone: right on!!!!!
[17:50] Clarise Beaumont: DEREK, I LOVE that.
[17:51] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:51] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:51] Clarise Beaumont: A GOOD reason to use a GEDCOM file is if you are NEW to genealogy
[17:51] Clarise Beaumont: and SOMEONE ELSE in your immediate famiyl is willing to share their existing database.
[17:51] Namaste Deezul: that would make a good genealogy tshirt LOL
[17:51] Clarise Beaumont: From that point on, you may elect to share research challenges.
[17:51] Clarise Beaumont: I agree, Namastee -- Go for it Derek!
[17:52] Derek Ghennyn: Namaste, I wore that T-shirt for a few weeks.
[17:52] Snookums Voom is Online
[17:52] Namaste Deezul: lol
[17:52] Derek Ghennyn: But it was to a sex education class.
[17:52] kaylee Korbitza: lol
[17:52] Clarise Beaumont: ok ---
[17:52] Clarise Beaumont: I think you get the OVERVIEW about the uses of GEDCOM files ---
[17:53] Clarise Beaumont: we didn't mention that GEDCOM files are the typical method for uploading major files to Ancestry.com or ????
[17:53] Clarise Beaumont: FamilySearch, etc.
[17:53] Derek Ghennyn: One thing to note, however...
[17:53] Clarise Beaumont: and they are a method for downloading or obtaining a copy of someone else's work if it is posted on line.
[17:53] Derek Ghennyn: Not all GEDCOM files have the exact same fields.
[17:53] Clarise Beaumont pauses to listen to DEREK.
[17:53] Genie Weezles: that can gum things up too
[17:53] Derek Ghennyn: So often some information has no place to go but the .LST file.
[17:54] Emmalee Bayn: ,
[17:54] Russ Hazelnut: FYI - you can view a GEDCOM file with a Text Editor
[17:54] Clarise Beaumont: there is a GEDCOM file format that has been agreed upon... though you may add additional fields in your genealogy program.... The way that this is handled in databases that DO NOT have the additional fields is to put the additional field info in NOTES.
[17:54] Clarise Beaumont: GEDCOM is basically an ascii file, but it is difficult to read.
[17:54] Clarise Beaumont: since it takes many many lines to describe just one ancestor.
[17:55] Clarise Beaumont: OK, We've got 6 minutes to go....
[17:55] Clarise Beaumont: and I'd like to mention
[17:55] Russ Hazelnut: Also, it will not include Images - a disapointment to many
[17:55] Clarise Beaumont: that from 8-10pm is the NIGHTLY chill out over in LIVE ROOTS
[17:55] Clarise Beaumont: does anyone need that Landmark?
[17:55] Clarise Beaumont: if so, Constantine can give you the landmark -- if you mention YES on the screen now.
[17:55] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:55] Clarise Beaumont: .
[17:55] GeneJ Composer: Yes
[17:55] Constantine Kyomoon: k
[17:55] Kyzmiaz Laws: Is that SL time?
[17:55] Leonard Greybeard: yes
[17:56] Clarise Beaumont: everything is in SL time
[17:56] kaylee Korbitza: yes, it's SL time
[17:56] Clarise Beaumont: which is US Pacific time, daylight when applicable.
[17:56] Clarise Beaumont: tomorrow at 4:30pm Barbara is holding her Genealogy Office Hours over at Live Roots.
[17:56] Barbara Collazo: yes.
[17:56] Barbara Collazo: come with a problem, come to help, come to chat.
[17:56] GeneJ Composer: Thank you
[17:56] Namaste Deezul: Oh cool
[17:57] Barbara Collazo: And we'll do genealogy, not SL :)
[17:57] Clarise Beaumont: GREAT work -- Barb has helped many with research, and with SEcond Life. Then Tuesday at 6pm in Just Genealogy we will meet to discuss BRICK WALLS. I'll do the GENEALOGY CAME over there as well.
[17:57] Marvela McBride is Online
[17:57] Clarise Beaumont: does anyone need the LM (landmark) for Just Genealogy?
[17:57] Marie Medina: yes
[17:58] Emmalee Bayn: Yes
[17:58] Clarise Beaumont: Wednesday from 7-8pm there is another genealogy chat, this one sponsored by Kilandra Yeuxdoux, so IM her if you need the LM
[17:58] Clarise Beaumont: Emmalee and Marie I'll give you the LM shortly.
[17:59] Constantine Kyomoon: Barbara or I can give you LM's for the Wednesday chat as well
[17:59] Clarise Beaumont: next week we'll discuss Familysearch "helper" and what that means.
[17:59] Clarise Beaumont: thanks Constantine.
[17:59] Clarise Beaumont: AGAIN -- it is a pleasure to WELCOME you all to Second Life
[17:59] Clarise Beaumont: and I thank you for attending tonight's chat.
[17:59] Gmama4 Luckstone: Thanks Clarise
[17:59] Kyzmiaz Laws: Ty Clarise
[17:59] Clarise Beaumont: I've heard from Barbara that Kaylee and Russ and Tina have been VERY helpful with our newbie genealogy friends this past week. Also Constantine Kyomoon, owner of Live Roots.
[17:59] Derek Ghennyn: Thank you. Thank you very much.
[17:59] Marie Medina: thanks
[17:59] GeneJ Composer: Thanks
[17:59] Lindsey Larkham: TY Clarise
[17:59] Genie Weezles: thank you Clarise
[17:59] Russ Hazelnut: Thank you Clarise
[17:59] Binbag Slonimsk: thanks everyone
[17:59] Leonard Greybeard: Thanks
[17:59] Namaste Deezul: Thanks for the talk Clarise. It was excellent
[17:59] Emmalee Bayn: Thanks Clarise
[17:59] Tina Ubble: ty clarise
[18:00] Pear Dumpling is Online
[18:00] Marie Medina accepted your inventory offer.
[18:00] Clarise Beaumont: Anyone else need a Landmark?
[18:00] Derek Ghennyn: I need a ginger ale.
[18:00] Clarise Beaumont: you are very welcome