On The Road with the Mac

Over the past year or so, the primary focus has been the rebuilding and reorganizing of our data base in Reunion.  It has had a learning curve and we've had to re-evaluate the way we do some things but I think we've finally got things to the point where I can say we've made it.

Reunion is such a powerful piece of software, but at the same time is so flexible, that getting it so that it works for you can be a bit time consuming.  BUT, once you get it set so that you have things the way you want them there is no end to the capabilities of this great genealogy software.

I think we've finally got everything set up the way we want it.  We're still occasionally finding an image link that we have to add or a fact that didn't import the way we wanted, but over all I think we're finally on top of it all.

I love using the logs. I use them for to do list, both for the data base as a whole, and for individuals that I want to focus on.  Now with Reunion 11 we are enjoying the sync feature using multiple computers & drop box.  Works so well having Mark typing on the Mac while I have the iPad mini open with the data base & logs while I search for obits or newspaper articles. We also have the Reunion touch App on the iPad mini and the phone.

All of these great features and availability help keep us focused and on track with our research!

Happy Researching!
Karen

So Many Ways - So Little Time (Reunion Software Post)

Let's face it, no two pieces of genealogy software are the same.  It's not that one would expect them to be, but if they could at least make it a bit easier for people switch between two different ones it would make things a bit easier.  But we all know that isn't going to happen right?

One of the things that seems to bug people coming into Reunion, or at least exploring that option is how sourcing works. 

First of all let me say that this is MY opinion.  This is what works for ME. 
Second of all,  to those coming in from FTM,   this isn't FTM and it doesn't work the same or look the same, that's why its Reunion.  And yes, its for the MAC.  Now that we have those out of the way, let me show you how I do the source thing in Reunion. 

First up, this is how you find your source list. 

 Double click it and it will open another window -  this one a listing of the sources that you have.  In the image below, you can sort them by name or by their number.  You can also sort them by type using the box at the top. Double clicking on any one source open up that source.  A great place for editing & "fixing" the sources. 

I am working thru all my sources in the above list. One by one cleaning them up and fixing them.  Arranging them by title makes it easier for me to locate them.  The screen below shows how I am writing my sources.  One by one down the list, adding the information I feel I need for either myself or you, to find the book or document I am using.  You can customize this by adding fields you feel you need for each source on your list.  I can NOT stress enough that this is totally up to YOU, customize it to fit YOUR needs.   When I source an item,  This is MY SOURCE.  I list this ONCE. 

Below, you can see that I reference a source, and I've done a citation.  If you click on the image it SHOULD open in a new window for your viewing.   On YOUR left you see the source listing with all the sources listed for the birth of a given birth.  Then to the right of that is the details.  I consider the details to be the information needed to find your information in the source.   So if the SOURCE is the 1940 Federal Census (yes, I clarify as I also use the State Census) and the citation is E.D. 84-62, Sheet 4-B, Lines 48-50, Household #94; John Thomas Ligon household, 167 UP - W. Hollywood Avenue, Block 6, FIrst Ward, Detroit City, Wayne County, Ohio. 

Keep in mind, this is how I DO IT.  That doesn't mean that its the only way nor will I tell you its the best way, its MY way.  I've put this post here to give some who just need more explanation than what is found out there.  

Said it before will say it again - Try all the programs you can.  Compare them, work with them.  How does your information transfer in?  Is this something that will work for you?  Do you like the way it works?  The way it looks?  Regardless of what it is, find one that works FOR YOU!   If you don't like it, if it doesn't work for you, you won't use it and you'll be kicking yourself for a very long time. 

Good luck & happy hunting!
Karen

Wowsers Wednesday!

Earlier this year I switched from the Windows world to the Mac world.  I must admit quite a change.  Yes, there was a bit of a learning curve, which I think I've managed to handle pretty well.  For those times when I hit bumps I had an awesome son to help me over them. 

When I decided to go from Windows to Mac the biggest change was the genealogy software.  My good friend, Diane has been using Reunion for Mac for quite a while, and her help was just awesome.  Its great knowing I can ask and she's there for me.  I've also joined two great groups on FB for help.  One is Mac Genealogy and the other, which is actually my favorite, is the Reunion Software Users group.  Fabulous Reunion support there.

I figure I am about 80% complete with the cleanup and straighten up of my data after the transfer in off all my information.  I find Reunion to be a bit of a learning curve, but then again, nothing I can't handle. 

I know I've been away for a while from my blogging, but the switch over combined with an office makeover, redoing all my files (remember review review review?) and normal day to day activities, I just figured a break was the thing to do. 

For those who have stuck around thanks!  For the those who just signed on thanks!  

Hoping to get back in the "saddle" and get busy with the blogging again!

Happy researching!

Karen

Monday Musings

As many know I've moved most of my computer "stuff" over to the Mac world.  I'm actually quite comfortable there.  A small learning curve was required but with the help of my techy son, Eric, I've managed to get it together and be comfortable there.  EXCEPT in the genealogy realm.  That I'm afraid is not going so well.

I have two Mac genealogy software and to be honest neither is making me happy.  Maybe I'm just too spoiled with Legacy?  I even joined the beta test for Heredis thinking maybe that would be helpful. NOT.

Here's the scoop -  I have Reunion and I have Heredis.  Both great pieces of software. EXCEPT that neither works for me.  To use either one I would have to spend an eternity repairing and replacing things to make the software work for me.

Custom facts would have to be redone,  ALL sources would have to be totally reworked, note fields replaced/moved....  and that's just in Reunion.  In Heredis any location that doesn't have a city name would show up in my reports as  ?, Oakland County, (Michigan).  I still don't understand why that is the way it needs to be.  All states end up in ( ), no choice, its just the way it has to be.  Every note and every source is the at the bottom of every page,  no choices there either.  That doesn't work for me.  Reunion does see my photo's, not all, just the ones linked to the individual. Forget anything linked to a fact.  Heredis sees no photo's at all.  With many thousands of photo's not showing, just relinking all my photo's would take forever... 

What it boils down to basically is I'm going to be using Legacy for a very long time unless someone can show me a way to make a Mac genealogy software work for me without having to totally rework my file.  I really like both pieces of software, don't get me wrong.  But I'm a researcher,  that's what I do.  Why spend the rest of my life making all those changes when I can stay in Legacy?  I'd love to move to the Mac side with the genealogy but...  you get the picture...

Anyone else out there have any suggestions?  If so I'd love to hear them!

Monday Musings

It's been a crazy few weeks here hence the lack of blogs.  Thanks for your patience.  I've redone my email accounts, opened some new, got rid of some old, but the contact information here stayed the same.  Thankfully I've got a very techy son who saves my backside when I get in over my head on computer stuff. 

We've added another branch to our family tree.  Jacob Michael Luotonen weighed in at 8 pounds 2 ounces when he joined us on Saturday morning, September 28th, 2013.  He's adorable, looks just like his awesome mom!  Needless to say grandma can't stop smiling at the thought.  Holding him brings back so many memories of the three older grandsons when they were that size and of course our two kids when they were just infants.  Congrats to our daughter, Amanda and her husband, David on a job well done!

The scanning and re-organization project is ongoing. I think I finally have every loose paper from my summer research trips scanned to my flash/thumb drives.  Now the fun begins as I start to transcribe and clean up those images to link in my data base.

Speaking of databases, I've joined the Heredis for Mac beta test that is going on.  So far things look great, but my "test" file still has some issues I'm not thrilled with.  Heredis is a European Genealogy software that has recently come on to the US genealogy software scene.  It has great potential and I'm enjoying the experience thus far.

Mom has arrived from Florida for a few months. Its always great having her here to enjoy the holidays with us.  The grandsons think she's awesome and since she's the shortest one in the family at only 5'1 the oldest grandson thinks she's great - he's finally taller than one of the adults!

It's Monday, time to get busy!  How about you?  What have you been working on?

Happy Researching!
Karen

Talk About A Learning Curve!

The change from PC to Mac is hard enough but toss in the switch from Legacy to Reunion and boy do you have a learning curve.

Hence my not having regular posts up this past week.  The move to Reunion has been challenging to say the least.  I'm at least comfortable navigating my way around Reunion now, although there are still some challenges.

The two biggest I am working with right now are all the linked images that WERE linked in Legacy but are now just hanging around in the photo file waiting to be RELINKED.  Problem that made things challenging is that in Legacy I can could link my images to my facts.  HUH? you say...  well its like this -
If I have a will I can could link the scanned images of the will to the WILL FACT.  That was Legacy. In Reunion,  there is no linking to facts, everything is linked to the person.  So all my images for any given person, whether the images are a birth certificate, a will and some land deeds, they all are linked to his one and only image file.  Only ones that can be linked separately are items to do with the marriage.  

I must say I really am not fond of this feature, it bugs me.  But, not only can I not link them back to my facts, but unless the image was a preferred image linked to the PERSON when it was in Legacy, I have to go back in to each and every person and relink all the wills, deeds, newspaper articles etc that were previously all nicely linked.  NO LIKE!  

The other big issue that I am dealing with is the SOURCE list.  Anyone who knows me knows that sourcing is a big deal.  So I have about 1800 source items.  It has them all as "free form".  I am having to go into each one, classify it as a book, periodical or something else.  It then gives me choices of what items to list - call number, author, library etc etc.   Not the most fun I've had in a long time.  Another feature that has me miffed.  NO LIKE!

The programs available to genealogists for the MAC are just so limited so you get to pick the lesser of the evils and make the best of it.  I'm sure that in time, once I get these little "miffs" taken care of my thoughts on how irritating this whole process was will pass.  Until then....  well, lets just say,  the hormones aren't the only thing driving me crazy!

Happy Researching!

Monday Musings - What software Are You Using?

Wow!  What a week it has been.  I can't say I did alot of genealogy but I'm working on turning that around.   I spoke three times last week, which kept me busy.  On Friday, my son came home from Texas.  Since he's the computer brain, especially in the land of Mac, we decided it was the perfect day for me to jump ship from PC to Mac.

I wasn't quite sure I was ready but I had already spent two years on the iPad so it wasn't like I wasn't familiar with the iCloud, iPhone and other things "i"...   So the transition was pretty smooth.  I went to an MacBook Pro with a hard drive that has enough space for all my photo's... after all I have over 13,000 headstone photo's alone.  It took a bit to get all my photo's moved, but now they are all there and very much visible.

All the other files are moved and functioning.  Now the next question is, do I keep using Legacy in Parallels or do I find a Mac genealogy software and switch?  Playing around with Heredis and Reunion.  Was hoping one or the other would just jump out at me but neither did YET.

How about you?  Are you running a Mac with genealogy software on it?  IF so, can you share with me your choice?  Cost?  What you like and don't like about it?

Thanks! I'd love to hear from you!
Karen