How Do I Send Information From My Genealogy Program??
You've spent hours typing in all that family information. Why retype it into your word processor to send it to me? And why send me hardcopy to type in? :) Let the computer do the work!
This page contains information on how to create documents with your genealogy program that you can send to me for entry into the Family File Cabinet. I regularly use two different programs, Brother's Keeper and Family Tree Maker. These are the only two I am familiar with, but if you do not use either of these, read through them anyway and see if the principles can be applied to your program.
Brother's Keeper is a shareware program that can be downloaded off the Internet to be tried out before you purchase it. I have used BK for over five years, and I love it. The only downfall I have found is pictures. Although it can store pictures, it can't compare to Family Tree Maker's abilities in this area.
To create a document to send, have open both Brother's Keeper and a word processor. Wordpad is fine (this is located in the accessories folder). You should also have your mail program open and ready to send me the file. You can create the following types of files using BK:
Decide what type of file you want to create. Then begin to create it just as if you were going to print it (selecting the proper person, and formatting it as you like). But before hitting Print, go up to the File menu and select either "Create TXT file" or "Create RTF file" depending on which type of report you create. It will ask you where you want to save it. Remember where you put it!
Now, open the file you just created in your word processor. Under the Edit menu, hit Select All. This will highlight the entire document. Again under the Edit menu, hit Copy.
Now go to your mail program where you have a message ready that you are sending to me. Use your mail program's Paste function (or the Ctrl-V combination usually works in any program). Then send the messsage to me! That's all there is to it.
Family Tree Maker is a commerical program that can be purchased at most software stores and many discount department stores (like Walmart). It has great features as far as nice-looking printouts, and its ability to store and print pictures is great. Check out their website.
Again, you need to have open the FTM program, Wordpad, and your mail editor ready to send me a message.
Open up the person you want to view in FTM. Usually, this is in the Family Page view. Across the top of the screen are several other views that are possible. You can send me the following types of reports:
DO NOT SEND .FTW FILES! These cannot be used by people who don't have Family Tree Maker! They are also very large in most cases. Here's what you need to do:
Return to the Family File Cabinet
Still have questions?
Email me.
