How to preview information before importing

Geoff Rasmussen

30 Oct 2007

Question from Ruth:

I belong to a society which sells a CD with their entire genealogy database on it. It contains 55,000 names in GEDCOM format. Since I do not want to dump 55,000 names into my tree sight unseen, but would like to check it out and see if any of my "Munros" can be connected, is there a way to "tweak" Legacy so that I can import this database, but NOT into my family tree?

Answer from Millennia:

Before importing anything into your master family file, you will want to preview the information, as you suggested. There are three simple approaches that will help you see what is in the file before importing into Legacy.

Approach 1. Import into a new family file.

Importing the GEDCOM into a new family file will allow you to see what is in it. Then, using Legacy’s split screen view, you can compare its information with yours. Follow these steps:

Click on File > Import from > GEDCOM file.
Browse to the location of the GEDCOM, highlight it, and click Open.
Select the first option to "Create a NEW Family File and add the GEDCOM information to it". Click Proceed.
Enter a name for the new family file, and click Open.
Click on Start the Import.
You may want to add a source to the incoming information so you always remember its origin. Click on Select a Master Source and add the source information if desired.
Click OK.

Using any of the views (Family, Pedigree, Index, etc.) you can now view the information from the GEDCOM file. If you see something that looks like it might match up with your information, use the split screen view to compare both the new family file and your original family file.

With the new family file open, click on View > Split Screen View.
Click Yes to open a different family file in the new window.
Browse for and select your original family file. Click Open.

You can now view and compare both family files side-by-side. You can even drag and drop information from one side to the other.

Approach 2. Use GENViewer to preview the GEDCOM.

GENViewer, a Legacy add-on, will preview the GEDCOM without importing anything into a new database. It would be the fastest method. Read Technology Tip: Preview Before Importing.

Approach 3. Use GENMatcher to compare two files for duplicates.

GENMatcher, also a Legacy add-on, compares two genealogy files for matches, or one genealogy file for duplicates. GENMatcher quickly finds matches, allowing you to quickly test downloaded files for potential matches to your data. You can compare files of different formats. In other words, it can compare a GEDCOM file with a Legacy family file. For more information, visit http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/GENMatcher.asp.

Comments (6)

I was not looking at using this program for conversion of legacy files but in view of the foregoing decided to try it. I use PDF Converter to change pdf files to word format. When I tried it on a Legacy Generated pdf fie it had the attached photos as seperate areas of the document and the test could be amended as you required. I originally obtained the program as a freeware version several months ago on a magazine cover disc but have since purchased the full program at a reduced price. I checked the website and it is currently being offered for $99.00. Probably not economical for a one of use. There are several other pdf to word format converters available on the internet from Free to several 100 of dollars but you would need to check each for yourselve to determine what will meet your requirements within your price range.

I would like to add support to Peter’s request to be able to export reports to either WordPerfect or Word format. I find that rtf files are hugh relative to word processing files and there can be formating issues when the word processing program reads the rtf file.
I would also like the ability to customize the reports, in particular, be able to connect a descendant to a particular ancestor and then contol how the report appears. Such a capability would save me hours of work that I do for a non-profit group.

I am publishing a family history book from Legacy. It is large at 2000 pages and I need to edit, add full page photos and update the index. RTF export to be used in a word processor is not satisfactory. The PDF looks good but editing is difficult and adding photos changes the pagination which skews the index. A word processor such as Word can rebuild the index but exporting from the PDF does not give satisfactory results. I am using Adobe 8 Professional. Any ideas on building a large book with editing outside of Legacy? Is it possible to export in Word (docx) format?

The other feature of Legacy that is really useful in these situations, once you have had a look at the new data, is to use the “Focus Group” facility in the new family file to create an export subset of information that you have found to be relevant to your own family tree.
After export from the new family file, that selected subset can then be used as a manageable import to own “master” family file database. It means that merging and editing of the imported data can be done in bite-size chunks without swamping all of your own precious family file with irrelevant or incorrect data.

I have a CD with 55,000 and I opened in a new family File just fine.
Carl

Wow! Thanks for these great tips. Legacy is a great programme.

B
Bob

17 years ago

I was not looking at using this program for conversion of legacy files but in view of the foregoing decided to try it. I use PDF Converter to change pdf files to word format. When I tried it on a Legacy Generated pdf fie it had the attached photos as seperate areas of the document and the test could be amended as you required. I originally obtained the program as a freeware version several months ago on a magazine cover disc but have since purchased the full program at a reduced price. I checked the website and it is currently being offered for $99.00. Probably not economical for a one of use. There are several other pdf to word format converters available on the internet from Free to several 100 of dollars but you would need to check each for yourselve to determine what will meet your requirements within your price range.
J
Jim

17 years ago

I would like to add support to Peter’s request to be able to export reports to either WordPerfect or Word format. I find that rtf files are hugh relative to word processing files and there can be formating issues when the word processing program reads the rtf file.
I would also like the ability to customize the reports, in particular, be able to connect a descendant to a particular ancestor and then contol how the report appears. Such a capability would save me hours of work that I do for a non-profit group.
JL
Jim Lauffer

17 years ago

I am publishing a family history book from Legacy. It is large at 2000 pages and I need to edit, add full page photos and update the index. RTF export to be used in a word processor is not satisfactory. The PDF looks good but editing is difficult and adding photos changes the pagination which skews the index. A word processor such as Word can rebuild the index but exporting from the PDF does not give satisfactory results. I am using Adobe 8 Professional. Any ideas on building a large book with editing outside of Legacy? Is it possible to export in Word (docx) format?
P
Peter

17 years ago

The other feature of Legacy that is really useful in these situations, once you have had a look at the new data, is to use the “Focus Group” facility in the new family file to create an export subset of information that you have found to be relevant to your own family tree.
After export from the new family file, that selected subset can then be used as a manageable import to own “master” family file database. It means that merging and editing of the imported data can be done in bite-size chunks without swamping all of your own precious family file with irrelevant or incorrect data.
CE
Carl E. Queen

17 years ago

I have a CD with 55,000 and I opened in a new family File just fine.
Carl
GF
Glen Fryar

17 years ago

Wow! Thanks for these great tips. Legacy is a great programme.