Manasota PAF News
May 2004 - A publication of the Manasota PAF User Group, Bradenton, Florida - copyright 2004
meeting dates & map to the library - members - favorite genealogy links - PAFNews
This is PART ONE - See also PART TWO
PRINT OUT FOR OUR MEETING 1 May 2004  - Pat Richley, editor.

You are cordially invited to attend meetings of the MANASOTA PAF USERS GROUP, where it isn't just about PAF anymore. We spend 30% of our time discussing various software programs, 30% basics of research, and 30% internet research -- the rest is a general "free-for-all" Q&A, refreshments, etc. We always seem to learn a lot from getting together and discussing computers and genealogy -- and we have a lot of fun to boot!

We meet from 9:15 to 11:30am at the South Branch of the Manatee County Library, 6081 26th Street West, Bradenton, Florida. I will be leaving promptly at 11:00am, because I want to attend Barb Schultz's installation as the Regent of the local chapter of the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution).

Genelines  Submitted by MPAFUG instructor Pat Richley, Myrt@DearMYRTLE.com . At the April 2004 meeting of our local Manasota Genealogical Society, Audrey Peacock provided an excellent discussion of the importance of using a timeline to put your ancestor in historical perspective, and to better determine the type of records you might look at to find clues to his identity. (Records -- read that special census enumerations, military service and pension files, etc.) She had several printouts created by this program. Audrey says "Genelines by Progency Software (Windows Only) This program is about $29.95 and is on a CD. Genelines features a suite of seven different timeline chart formats, consisting of two biographical and five relationship charts. The relationship chart even allow you to add people who are not necessarily related. After you purchase the Software , the company will give you a free download of an additional 21 new timelines. This software program is one of the most powerful research and storytelling tools available for genealogists and family historians. Pat will do a live demonstration of the Genelines program at the May 1st 2004 meeting of the Manasota PAF Users Group."

• Click here to see chart samples
• Click here to see research examples

From the Genelines website: System Requirements: Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP; Pentium processor; 32 MB RAM; 10MB free disk space; VGA or better monitor; Windows compatible printer; Adobe® Acrobat® Reader® version 4.x or higher (required for viewing PDF export files). 

•  Seven full-color, completely customizable charts, including the unique and compelling Biographical chart – a timeline chart that tells the complete story for just one individual.
  
• A new text report that lists, in chronological order, all the events, dates, and places for the people in any chart along with applicable notes and sources.
  
• Flexible options for choosing the individuals to show on a chart, including family groups, ancestors, descendants and even unrelated individuals.
  
• Allows on-screen manipulation of the timeline, colors, fonts, borders, box positioning, and much more.
  
• Estimates and visually points out unknown dates, making it easy to see where more research is needed, as well as illogical or contradictory data.
  
• Ability to save any chart for reuse at a later time.
  
• Publishes charts in PDF format.
  
• Prints charts in a full range of sizes – from a standard size paper to large wall charts.
  
• Provides the ability to merge two or more charts together.
  
• Supports BC dates and metric units of measure.
  
• Comes with ready to use timeline (historical event) files, plus more available as free downloads from the Timeline Exchange. Or, you can create and modify your own historical events within Genelines.

Ink Jet Refills: Are they worth it?  Submitted by MPAFUG instructor Pat Richley, Myrt@DearMYRTLE.com . I bit the bullet, and decided to try out Office Depot's INK JET REFILL KIT, specifically one designated "for use with Hewlett Packard DeskJet 700, 800, 1200C Printers, and the results were good. The instructions were detailed enough to get me through the process, which I will demonstrate at the PAF meeting on Saturday. Basically I would say the print quality is fine, though I would say that the refill kit's ink is "wetter" and takes a moment longer to dry than the factory original. The comparison of $14.99 for the refill kit, and $43 for a factory-made name brand black ink cartridge was extremely enticing. I am a little scared to do this refill more than one or two times, though, because the little handbook states: "A typical cartridge can be refilled several times before needing to be replaced. Replace the cartridge when it continues to leak upon refilling." Please also note: "Best results after refilling are achieved with cartridges that have been empty for a short time and left in the printer. Leaving an empty cartridge out of the printer for an extended period of time will dry out the remaining ink and clog the printhead, thus damaging the cartridge."

Navigating in Acrobat Reader  Submitted by MPAFUG instructor Pat Richley, Myrt@DearMYRTLE.com  . Audrey asked me to do an overview of Acrobat Reader. Acrobat Reader comes pre-installed on all the major brand Windows compatible computers. Perhaps the first encounter you have with a .pdf file is when you unwittingly click on it at a web site, such as a  FamilySearch.org research outline. You will notice Acrobat Reader (the reader of .pdf files) seems to take over your computer, not allowing anything else to happen while the file is being loaded. For this article, we will use the example of the Family History Library's Research Outline known as "United States, Immigration Before 1820  [PDF]".

Typically, as soon as  you click on a .PDF link, it will open Acrobat Reader. When the title page is in view, I usually check the bottom left portion of the AcrobatReader screen to see how many pages are in this file. In the example below we are looking at page 3 of 8 pages.

Notice the left and right arrow buttons will change to one page back or one page forward from this point in the document. I can go to the first page or the last page, by clicking the buttons |<     or   >|  . 

The first thing you might wish to do, is to print the booklet. Be sure to use the option in Acrobat Reader NOT on your web browser. As indicated below, the control buttons for Acrobat Reader are located on the lower, perhaps smaller, tool bar.We will discuss the other buttons on the status and too bars during our PAF meeting on Saturday.

Business Cards Now Commonplace Submitted by MPAFUG instructor Pat Richley, Myrt@DearMYRTLE.com. Genealogists are becoming increasingly more creative when sharing information, including their personal contact info. I recommend something like a PO Box or UPS Store (formerly Mail Boxes, Etc.) option to ensure your privacy. You can pick up the blank business cards (about 10 to a page, pre-scored for easy cutting) in packages at the local office supply store for $10 per 200. 

Scanners and PAF Photos: A Discussion with honorary member-at-large Chuck Fitzgerald  Submitted by MPAFUG instructor Pat Richley, Myrt@DearMYRTLE.com . from a series of email exchanges on the subject. 
DearMYRTLE,
"With my newly purchased HP Model 1210 Printer/Scanner/Copier, I am about to take on the enjoyable task of adding photographs to my family data base. The computer has a number of buttons, one of which is labeled SCAN. Unfortunately for me, there are no directions, and I need to know this: Once I put a photo of a relative on the scanner portion of the device, and push the SCAN button, where does the image go, i.e., where can I find it in my computer? My computer has Olympus' CAMedia Master program installed; also something called STUDIO LINE. I am using PAF 5.2 and will, of course, only be able to install photos on the first half dozen generations, but that will be worthwhile and I certainly have the time and the inclination." 

HIYA CHUCK, miss ya! Here are the three drivers...not sure which model you have. I got them from the manufacturer's website -- www.hp.com 
» HP PSC 1210 All-in-One
» HP PSC 1210v All-in-One
» HP PSC 1210xi All-in-One

Initially, when you press the SCAN button on your scanner, the document or photo goes in a default directory set up for and by the scanner when you install the driver. I have a different scanner, and it places things in ITS unique folder. 

TOOLS: You will want to use your photo editing software (PaintShop, Adobe PhotoShop Elements, etc.) to crop, adjust brightness, etc., and save the file in a specific directory on your hard drive for use in PAF. I would recommend that it is the SAME directory as your PAF database. -- Camedia works with your camera and may be of some help to you.  I have one client who has that, and I just don't remember if it has good photo editing capabilities.

PRACTICAL THINGS TO CONSIDER: In the future, you will need to copy not only the PAF genealogy database (GEDCOM) but the ancestors photos (which are linked, not imbedded) to share your work with others or to make a compete backup. If the new computer (whether yours or your distant cousin's) does not have the copies of the photos in the EXACT SAME subdirectory on his/her hard drive, then the links in PAF to the photos won't work.

For this reason I do NOT use my D drive (a second hard disk) to keep my PAF data and related photos, because most people only have one disk drive.

As I mentioned, when using PAF, the PHOTOS are not internalized (embedded) into the information on an ancestor, like the typing you did for the date and location of that ancestor's birth or death. Its easy to click around your hard drive to find the photo you wish, but there are problems if you do it willy-nilly. Since we tend to put things here and there (downloaded files, C:\mydocuments\my photos, etc.) AND since you tend to have tons more pictures on your computer than you intend to link with an individual in your PAF, I decided to keep everything in a folder known as C:\PAFdata

Under PAF 5's Tools>File, I made the following entries:

From this point on, save an ancestor photo for PAF in the C:\PAFdata folder whenever you have finished editing it in your photo editing software. Use .jpg or .gif format. 

You will also need to MOVE your PAF genealogy database into this same folder. If you don't know how to MOVE files, using Windows, you can check the "help" guidelines of Windows. Alternately, if you are not sure where your PAF databases "live" on your hard drive, you can always open PAF, and under FILE>OPEN, instruct the program to search your entire hard drive for any .PAF files. Then one by one, you can open, and then SAVE AS... changing the file location to C:\PAFdata. This would create a copy of the file. Once you are happy with the new file, you can delete the old one.

From Chuck: Many thanks, kind friend. Will see if your helpful suggestions will clear the fog so this desired action will be more rapid than it has been so far. -- Today I added my grandfather Fitz' photo when he was playing violin in a dance orchestra around Utica, NY to his FHS and then wondered if it was possible to send his photo to my oldest first cousin (age 94 this year), and was successful. These distractions are fun when you realize you will be giving pleasure. Can't wait for her reaction as she has living memories of him. She was born about 10 years before he died. He tried to beat an interurban trolly to the stop, and was unsuccessful. Died from massive trauma next day. Yes, he was sober at the time, just a bit slow where their paths intersected.

Have also added younger daughter Bridget's photo to her husband's FHS, and their son's high school graduation pic too. Must select a decent picture of their daughter and will then have them up to date. That leaves quite a few, however, to be done I will have to live to be 100 in order to complete my share of things. But my days are filled with fun things to do. 

Ooooops! Eileen asks that I shuck 5 ears of fresh sweet corner for supper. 'Scuse me, please. Love,Chuck

This is PART ONE - See also PART TWO
The Manasota PAF Users Group is a non-profit educational organization in the State of Florida. Copyright 1994-2004. All Rights Reserved. dearmyrtle@aol.com Webmaster. Personal Ancestral File is the registered trademark of the Corporation of the President, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The Master Genealogist and FamilyTree SuperTools are  the registered trademarks of Wholly Genes, Inc. Family Tree Maker is the registered trademark of Mattel. RootsMagic is the registered Trademark of Formal Soft. The ideas expressed in this the Manasota PAFNews are merely the opinions of the contributors. The writers, editors, publishers, and the Users Group are in no way responsible or liable for any damages resulting from articles, opinions, statements, advertising, representations or warranties expressed or implied in this publication nor do we endorse or recommend any products or services mentioned or illustrated herein.
meeting dates & map to the library - members - favorite genealogy links - PAFNews