Import Data
The Import Data provides a potential Import Data Procedure. Not all steps may apply to your situation.
Create GEDCOM on your desktop program
Coordinate With Desktop Applications may have information on specific desktop programs.
You may want to consider not exporting Confidential Data. You may also want to set the Prefix for private notes in the TNG Import Settings, in case you forget to change your export not to include Confidential Data. If you consciously import Confidential Data, you may also want to consider using the Private Note Mod.
Save as UTF-8 or ANSI encoding depending on your database and your desktop software (if your desktop only supports ANSI, you should leave your database as ANSI or latin1_swedish_ci or an equivalent that can handle foreign accents)
FTP your GEDCOM to your hosting site
If your GEDCOM is an extremely small file, you might be able to use the Import from your Computer option, but the recommended approach is to transfer the .ged file to your hosting site.
Starting with TNG 11, you can import zip files. So you can create a zip file on your computer and use the Import from your Computer Option. TNG will extract the zip file and save the .ged file in your gedcom folder and delete the zip file
Starting with TNG 7.1, you can use the Import from your Computer Option. It will however be slower than using FTP.
Set Maintenance Mode On
Maintenance Mode#Setting_Maintenance_Mode_On
Optimize your database
Note that if this is your first import this step should be skipped and performed later before you turn off the Maintenance Mode.
You should optimize your database before doing an Import Data with replace All current data option.
- Select Utilities in the Admin Menu
- Click the Select All button
- Click on the pull down list next to With Selected and select Optimize
- Click the Go button.
Backup your database
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You should backup your database before doing an Import Data with replace all option.
This is especially true when you just upgraded to a new version or release of TNG. |
Backup your Living Flags
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Import Data
Import Custom Event Types
The first time you Import Data, you should
- Check the box in front of Import Custom Event Types only (no data is added, replaced or appended)
- Import Data with Replace All option
In TNG 7.0, you can now set the Default Replace Option: in the Import Settings.
You may also want to set the following in Setup >> Configuration >> Import Settings
- Prefix for private notes: ~ (tilde is used in PAF)
- If no birth date, assume: Deceased and then manually set the Living flags or import Living flags from Legacy and other desktop software (in TNG 7.0)
Import Media
See Setup - Import Settings for setting local paths for media collections to be imported.
See Media_-_Import for tips on importing media from your local desktop genealogy program into TNG.
Import Geocode
To import the latitude and longitude for geocoded places into TNG, you need to check the box in front of the import the latitude and longitude option.
See also Managing_Latitude_and_Longitude for tips on importing Latitude and Longitude from Legacy Family Tree 7 into TNG.
TNG 7.1
Starting with TNG 7.1, you can use the Import from your Computer Option for large files. It will however be slower than using FTP.
So if you have a large gedcom file, you may still want to FTP the file to your host and import from the server. Once the file is uploaded to your hosting site, it will automatically switch to importing your gedcom.
The Import in TNG 7.1 was changed to use the AJAX dialog box approach, which now shows a status bar and counts for People, Families, Notes, Sources, Media, and Places imported.
When the Import has completed, the modal dialog will show a check mark next to Finished Importing Gedcom. The screen will also provide you an option to delete the gedcom file the was imported.
Note that the Track Lines is no longer shown at the bottom of the Import Completed screen. You will need to click on More Options to go to the TNG Secondary Processes and then select Track Lines to mark all children in a family who also have children.
Secondary Processes
Track Lines
You should Track Lines after the Data Import completes.
Sort Children
Sort Children is an optional secondary process and need not be performed if children are in the correct order from your desktop gedcom.
Sort Spouses
Sort Spouses is an optional secondary process and need not be performed if spouses are in the correct order from desktop gedcom.
Relabel Branches
If you have assigned Branch labels, you must Relabel Branches after a Data Import. Note that if new people were added to an existing branch, they will not be labeled by the Relabel Branches process but will need to be labeled manually.
Mod Secondary Processes
Check Census Links
If you are using the Census Plus International mod and import a GEDCOM, you should run the Check Census Links secondary process for the tree that you imported. This will update the Census Event IDs in the CP Link records and identify where you did not define a Census Event in your desktop genealogy database.
Create Site Map
If you are installed the Create Site Map Mod, a Create Site Map button was also added to the Secondary Process that allows you to re-create you Google Site Map after doing a data import.
Restore Living Flags
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Select the Backup Living option in Admin Header Mod to Backup_/_Restore_Living_Flag |
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Click the Restore Living Flags link in the launched window to then restore the Living Flags. |
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Note that if new death dates were imported you should uncheck the box from the list of persons with changes before you click the Restore Checked to Living button, or you will need to manually remove the Living flag later |
Double check import
You should double check your imported data, media links, etc., before turning off the Maintenance Mode.
