2020 Year-End Genealogy Backups

 2020 Year-End Genealogy Backups

I use the genealogy program, RootsMagic7.  I have many genealogy databases. There are four databases that I update on a regular basis.  Those are the databases (files) that need backup.

The backup process requires a number of steps and takes quite a bit of time.

1. Run the four-step Database Tools of RootsMagic on each of the four files. This is database housekeeping.
2. Create a backup for each database on the laptop hard drive.  To avoid overlaying, modify the name of each backup to include the word "Keep'' in the file name.
3. Create a normal backup of each database on the laptop hard drive without altering the file name.
4. Delete all of the backups done on the laptop during the year except the last four.
5. Copy the four backup files to an external hard drive.
6. Copy the four backup files to a thumb drive.
7. Copy the four backup files to my paid cloud Box account.
8. Delete all but the last 3 or 4 backup files from the external hard drive; thumb drive; and Box account.
9. Check storage usage on Box - 6.4GB of 100GB available.

Dick Henthorn

2 Dec 2020

Family Group Sheets

Family Group Sheets

I use the genealogy program, RootsMagic7.  I'm impressed with the format of Family Group Sheets (FGS) created by this program. Besides the usual information found in a FGS there are options to include name index and place name index. I can save the FGS in the PDF format. 

I have a Box account where I have been uploading these FGS into Family folders. The reports are availble for Preview or Download to anyone who has the correct URL.

Recently I worked on FGS projects for two families:

• Ice Family - 8 FGS, 61-pages
• Tennant Family - 10 FGS, 59-pages

Dick Henthorn

8 Jul 202

Ancestry to Retire Family Tree Maker Software

Ancestry to Retire Family Tree Maker Software:

The latest genealogy news from Ancestry.com.  There will be thousands of people unhappy about this.

I suppose the company wasn't able to make enough money selling frequent updates.

I use the program RootsMagic7 and recommend it.  There is a "free"version of the program that you can try before buying the full-blown version.

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RootsMagic6 on Sale

The current version of RootsMagic is "7."

For a limited time you can buy RootsMagic6 for $9.95 on Amazon.  If you are on a tight budget or want to give a gift to someone now is a good time to make a purchase.

Here's an extract from the RootsMagic newsletter with more information and a link.

RootsMagic 6 for $9.95 on Amazon

While cleaning the warehouse we came across a bunch of boxes of RootsMagic 6 CDs.  Rather than throw them in a landfill, we have put them up on Amazon for $9.95.

Although it is an older version of the program, they are new (still shrinkwrapped) full version 6 program CDs.  If you just want to give a program to someone that you are trying to get started in genealogy, this could be a good option.  If they register their program they will also eligible to get future versions of RootsMagic at the upgrade price as well.

These version 6 CDs at this price will remain available on Amazon until we run out of them.

RootsMagic 6 for $9.95
http://www.amazon.com/RootsMagic-Family-Genealogy-Software-VERSION/dp/1932932127

Mr. Dickie

4 June 2015

Sharing Genealogy On CDs

I'm working on a project to share some genealogy information on CDs with longtime collaborator, Larry. We worked on the Yoho family of Beaver Co., PA.  Larry doesn't have a computer.

I created two CDs that I'll be sending via snail mail.

I used RootsMagic7 to create a shareable CD of the family of Jacob Yoho and Mary Lawrence. When RootsMagic creates a shareable CD all of the information in the genealogy file is included. Because I only wanted to share the information about the Jacob Yoho family I needed to create a GEDCOM file that included just Jacob Yoho and his descendants.  Next I created a "new" RootsMagic file with the GEDCOM.  The final step was to create the shareable CD.

The Shareable CD Menu

Here's a screen shot of what Larry will see when he clicks on "View Family Tree" on the menu.

The second CD contains three files.

1) McCullAnc.pdf, a 67-page PDF report about Larry's ancestors.

2) McCullDes.pdf, a 345-page report about the descendants of Jacob Yoho.

3) YohoJacob150107.ged, the GEDCOM file.

Dick Henthorn

8 January 2015

Some RootsMagic7 Glitches

Yesterday I installed RootsMagic7.  I noticed several disappointments.

The problem with wrap-around text when you save a report in .txt format hasn't been fixed.  When I mentioned this yesterday to Tech Support the person I talked to brushed me off saying that no one had ever reported the problem.

The installation procedure suggested that I let them uninstalled RootsMagic6.  I followed their suggestion.  I'm not sure this was such a good idea.  They didn't warn me that the newly installed version of the program would forget all of the formatting information such as color scheme and toolbar button icon placement.  I'm not happy about that.

I installed a copy of the program on a thumb drive for the first time.  I had a new SanDisk 4Gb thumb drive on hand.  After the installation I copied one of my files to the thumb drive in order to test drive how it works. This is a very handy way to take your genealogy with you if you travel and don't want to take your laptop. I think I'll take the thumb drive to the computer club meeting to show Dale Grant who does genealogy.

Dick Henthorn
6 January 2015

RootsMagic7

Genealogy Program Update

Today, 5 January 2015, I purchased and installed a downloaded version of RootsMagic7 on my computer.  I allowed the install process to remove RootsMagic6 from the computer which was recommended for those who don't consider themselves "Advanced Users."

A new User's Key was supplied.  This time I was careful to record it on a 3x5 card and to print out the Email page and store it in a notebook. The key is needed to install the program.  It is also needed if you want to install a copy of the program on a USB thumb drive which I intend to do with this version.

Before I made the purchase I called RootsMagic and discussed several of my concerns about the program.  My biggest concern is that RootsMagic6 often locked up when I was working with my two largest files, one with 84,000 records and the other with 245,000 records.  I wasn't happy about the answers I received.  That's probably why I put off calling them for many months.

Dick Henthorn
5 January 2015

RootsMagic Blog » New RootsMagic 7 Software Released

RootsMagic Blog » New RootsMagic 7 Software Released:

There's a new version of RootsMagic available.  The link describes the new features.  There is a "free" version that you can try out, RootsMagic 7 Essentials.  The price is reasonable and you can post your tree to web space provided by the company as part of the service.

I used a version of this program when it was called Family Origins to load the GEDCOMs of others before I converted my own files from PAF.

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