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Starting A Genealogy Database

Documenting Your Family's History

Jan 12, 2007

Genealogy has become a hobby for many Americans. Documenting our family's blood line back through generations gives you insight into your family's history.

Installing and setting up Heritage Family Tree

Heritage Family Tree Deluxe requires Microsoft Windows 98, Me, 2000 or XP. There are 2 CD's, the first CD is the software program, the charting companion, the Family Tree Legend's, the Social Security Death index and Progeny's World Place Finder TM. The second CD installs the Francis Frith's Photographic Archive.

Installing

Insert CD #1, the installation program should start automatically and follow the prompts.
Insert CD #2 and follow the prompts. CD #2 which contains Francis Frith's Photographic Archive can be installed at a later date. Also, the CD must be inserted into the CD drive to use the archive.

First Time Opening

When opening Family Tree for the first time, a dialog box will open called "Initializing Preferences dialog Box". Select any or all of the options here then click on OK when finished. You can also go to the "Tools menu, click on Preferences then click on General to set up or change these options.

The "File Options dialog box" will open next. This box allows your computer to search for a PAF (*.paf) file you may have from another program, or you can opt to type in the file location.

If you are starting from scratch, click on "New"

Another dialog box will open, select the file location to save your information.
There are several options for the file type, (Heritage Family Deluxe/Ancestral Quest) HFD/AQ *.aq, (Personal Ancestral File) PAF 3 *.paf or PAF 4 *.paf. Each has its advantages.
Choose a name for your file, usually your surname or maiden name.

File Format Differences

PAF Format

Allows photos and multimedia files.
Enter different events (marriage).
Print graphs.
Use Microsoft Windows Character Map.
Import files from PAF 2.x.

HFTD/AQ

Book Reports, Family Groups, Individual Summaries and Web Pages can have sources attached and can be attached to multiple events.
The screen for the "Source Definition" has a field for other types of information, for example translator.
Relationships can be set for parents and children (adopted, biological or guardian).

File Conversion

*.paf files can be converted to *.aq and *.aq files can be converted to *.paf. The *.aq files have more information than the *.paf files, remember when converting from the *.aq file, some information may be lost.

After the files have been converted, you can begin entering the information in either the Pedigree view or the Family View.

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The copyright of the article Starting A Genealogy Database in Computer Software is owned by Sharon Koss. Permission to republish Starting A Genealogy Database in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.