Working with Trees in Family Tree Maker
(Note: Procedures are in blue. >Means left click on the next item and >> means a right
click.)
FTM 2009 – 2010 File Conversion
Conversion - automatic from older programs
Older versions of Family Tree Maker combine the Place and Description fields into the
same field. Because of this, all descriptions from those tree files are imported into the
Place field of corresponding facts. You can use Resolve All Place Names or Fact Data
Options to move descriptions from the Place field to the Description field.
Tools>Resolve All Place Names...
The Fact Data Options dialog box lets you search for and select for batch processing,
meaning that you can process many facts at the same time. The processing includes
changing fact types, swapping text from one field to another, or marking several (or
hundreds) of facts as Private. Because the Fact Data Options can produce undesirable
results if you are not careful, you should back up your tree before you process facts (the
options is always presented to you before you the dialog box is opened).
To open the Fact Data Options dialog box:
Click Edit > Manage Facts > Data Options.
OR
Click People > Person > Options > Fact Data Options.
OR
Click People > Person >> right-click a fact > Fact Data Options.
Where are my files?
Documents>Family Tree Maker (includes Media and Templates folders)
If you can't find the FTM folder use Search in Windows Explorer and search for "Family
Tree Maker."
Types of files used by FTM
.ftw used by FTM 2008 earlier
Earlier files must be converted to the current program. If you import an earlier file FTM
will tell you that it is going to covert the file.
.ftm used by FTM 2009 and 2010 as the main data file
This is the file you have open when using FTM.
.ftmb used by FTM 2009 and 2010 as the backup data file
You can make a backup data file at any time.
File>Backup...
.ged is a universal file that all programs can open
GEDCOM 5.5 is a standard file type that most genealogy programs can open.
GEDCOM files cannot include linked files, saved publications, or tasks. (If
imported/exported to/from FTM. This not true for other programs.) GEDCOM files can
be edited in a text browser like Notepad.exe. You must have a good understanding of
how to code the file before you try this.
SOUR = SOURces of Information Records
For more info go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GEDCOM
.pdf for creating charts and books
To open the PDF Export Option dialog box:
From the People, Places, Media, or Sources Workspace, click Share > select a report to
send or export > Send to PDF OR Export to PDF.
****_AutoBackup.ftmb the automatic backup files created by FTM
Makes a backup file of your tree each time you exit Family Tree Maker. The backup file
is created in the default directory and is given the tree name followed by
"_AutoBackup.ftmb" (for example: "GG Boggs Family_AutoBackup.ftmb"). Don't just
backup on your hard drive - backup to a CD or DVD. Copy the .ftm, .ftmb, .ged files to
the disc. Use the Restore command to restore the tree to FTM. Don't create one large
tree - prune the tree to several different branches.
Note: Media files are not included in the backup file.
To open the General tab in the Options dialog box:
Click Tools > Options > General>Automatically backup family file
How do I create a branch?
This took me awhile to figure out but it seems to work:
1. Export the File>Export>Selected individuals>Include individual and
ancestors>OK>OK>Save as branch .ftmb file
2. Restore the branch File>Restore>the exported .ftmb file>Open>Save the file as
Name_branch.ftm. >OK
How to Work with and Manage Trees:
Gettng Help in FTM
Help>Help for Family Tree Maker... or Help>Training Tutorials...
For online Help go to the FTM site:
http://www.familytreemaker.com/Support/Tutorial2010/Tutorial2010.aspx
Sizing windows and Set Root person
People>>right click on a name and select home or root.
Creating a New Tree
Plan>New Tree>click "Enter what you know"> enter the "New tree name:" and
File Location>enter info and the new name of the tree>click on "Continue">a family tree
will be created with the name of the tree at the top left corner of FTM
Import an Existing File
Note: on FTM 2009 ver. 18 it not possibe to import a .ftm or .ftmb file - the file
must be a .ged file.
Plan>New Tree>Import a tree from an existing file>Browse>select the file and
Open>click on Continue>.ged file will be processed>click on Close
Opening a Tree
Plan>double click on a tree in the top right corner of the Trees window
Plan>Trees>Options>Browse>select file and click Open.
Renaming a Tree
Plan>Trees>Options>Rename Tree> enter a new name>OK
Tree Information
Plan>at top of current Tab
Opening and Comparing Two Trees
Plan>Trees>Options>Open Tree in New Window...
Securing a Tree
File>Privatize File>facts for living individuals are not displayed but you can print
and share reports.
Delete a Tree
Plan>Trees>Options>Delete Tree>click on "Move selected linked files" to delete
media if you want>OK
Exporting a File
FTM 2009 exports in only two different files, either .ftmb or .ged. It does not
export a file as a .ftm or the FTM 2008 .ftw file.
File>Export>"Entire file">Family Tree Maker>OK>type in file name>Save
File>Export>"Entire file">GEDCOM 5.5 (standared)>OK>type in file name>Save
Merging Two Files
Make a backup of your tree that will be merged. You might want to create two
backups: one in .ftmb file format and another in .ged file format.>Open the tree that will
be merged>File>Merge: the program asks you if you want to make a backup. If you
haven't done so do it now.>select the file and click on Open>select the type of
individuals to include and how you plan to merge the files>click on Advanced to set a
threshold>after checking the all the individual that will be included, click on Merge>
ftm_trees.rtf