GenViewer Update

In the past some researchers shared their information with me in the file format used by their genealogy program.  For example, some Family Tree Maker users sent me a file with the .ftw file extension of Family Tree Maker. Several computer disasters back I owned a copy of Family Tree Maker.  Therefore, it wasn't a problem to load their file into my program when I wanted to view the information.  This was so long ago I no longer remember which computer allowed me to do this.

I still have copies of some of these Family Tree Maker files on floppies and on Zip Discs.

The paid version of GenViewer can read GEDCOM files and some files of genealogy programs such as Family Tree Maker.  

Yesterday I realized that it would be convenient if Windows 7 had an association for the .ftw with the GenViewer program.  That is to say, if I clicked on a file name with that extension the GenViewer program would start up and load the file I clicked.

I had an awful time establishing the association.  I read my Windows 7 book.  I read the Windows help file.  I looked at online tutorials.  After about thirty minutes I was ready to tear my hair out.

When Cyndi came home I asked if she knew how to do it.  She stood behind me and talked me through the process.  In less than five minutes we'd accomplished what I never got close to doing.

The blog post image is a screen capture (that's another story) of a file on a floppy named: bacus.ftw. I have a floppy drive connected to the laptop computer via a USB hub.

Dick Henthorn

18 October 2014

James Thompson

This is a test to see if I can use the paid version of GenViewer to extract the Note field from a GEDCOM file.

This information about James Thompson came from a THOMPSON.GED file that I created on 15 Feb 1998.  It currently resides on a floppy.  I have a USB floppy drive that I bought at a yard sale for $3.00.  Very handy.

I'm pleased with the test results.  I hope you will be too.

******

James Thompson

PARENTS:  Abraham Thompson and Ann Downard

BIRTH: Abt 1728, Ireland
DEATH:  unknown

Problem:
Some sources give his name as James and others as Joseph.  "History of Noble County Ohio," p. 469 says his name is Jacob Thompson.
(Source: The Kilpatrick Family, by Marian Douglas (Jones) Kilpatrick, 1930 has a very good descendant list and gives the name as: James and marriage date as 15 Apr 1779).

BIRTH-BIBLE: James Thompson, son of Jacob Thompson & Ann Thompson formerly Ann Downard was born on the 20th of Febrary AD. 1758.
(Source:  Jackson-Thompson-Secrest Family Bible)

BIOGRAPHY-REFERENCE:
James Thompson married Mary Jackson in Chester county, PA, and brought her to the then wilderness of Ohio, settling near where the village of Buffalo now is, the Walhonding mine being on his farm.  They were exceedingly thrifty, and Mr. Thompson succeeded in locating his children on the best farms in this valley. Thirteen children were born to this worthy couple, the most if not all of them being born in Pennsylvania.
(Source:  Spaid Genealogy, p. 374)

RESIDENCES:
In 1948, Emma (Rich) and Howard Booher bought the farm on which James and Mary Thompson had built their cabin near a great oak tree.  Each year they watched for the green clump of asparagus to show above grass on the hillside.
(Source:  "Rich Hill ... Noble County, Ohio 1880", page 24)
(Note:  She stated on page 32, that the land of James Thompson was in Seneca Township.

Problem:  Was the marriage date of James Thompson and Mary Ann Jackson 13 Apr 1779 or 15 Apr 1779?

Dick Henthorn
9 October 2014