Transferring My Legacy Genealogy Software Family Data File To A New Computer

🌳 After much research, the decision on a new computer has been made. 

And now, aside from all the excitement of getting a new computer, one of the down sides is having to set time aside from an already busy life to get it set up to a working standard.  

Preferences, software downloads, emails.. and on and on. 

       

                 

       You would think the process can and should be enjoyable.  

                

The thought of cleaning-up and re-structuring files as you revise your organizational methodology sounds productive, and under other circumstances I would actually enjoy that process.  Yet, realistically, it is time-consuming, as I approach it from the standpoint of a weekly job and a busy family life.. and so it is, a necessity to get the job done as efficiently as possible in the time allotted. 

✔️✔️✔️    ✔️✔️    ✔️✔️✔️     ✔️✔️

One of the tasks that I can now check off is transferring my Legacy genealogy software, and the family data.  This was, by the way, the first task after setting up my preferred web browser and email, of course. 

First thing I did was to check on the Legacy Family Tree website. 

I found the download page and still had some questions. 

So, I decided to also check on the Facebook group - Legacy Users’s Group for suggestions, as I remembered reading posts on this very thing in the past.  I found this to be very helpful as well, and would recommend checking here whenever you have a question for a specific topic related to Legacy. Just do a search for what you are needing and the posts should come up. 

I figured I would log the steps so I have it on hand for future reference, if and when the time comes again, or maybe someone else can simply benefit from the information along the way.

1. Seek out instructions. 

Went to the Legacy Users’s Group and found several suggestions. 

Go to the Legacy Family Tree website —   ‘Moving Your Family File From One Computer to Another’  This page is great, and will pretty much give you everything you need to get the job done. There really is not anything to add, my purpose is simply to minimize the steps and relay my experience.   

2. Download. 

Click on the Legacy Download link:  https://legacyfamilytree.com/DownloadLegacy.asp 

3. Select type of Download.

I have always used the Deluxe version since I first started using Legacy back in 2007, and have updated when a new version has come out through the years. 

                     
              

                     I use Legacy Deluxe version 

 

There are three choices listed. 

Decide on which version one to use. I read on the Legacy User group to first download the Free standard version and then use the unlocking code that was sent to your email when you first made the purchase to unlock the Deluxe version. 

Why not just click on the 9.0 Deluxe version right at the start?  I may need to look into that later and update this post. 

a). Legacy 9.0 Standard Edition (Free) — 

b). Legacy 9.0 Deluxe Edition — 

c). Legacy 9.0 Deluxe (from 34.95)  — 

This version is obviously different from the one above - Maybe a CD-Rom version? 

The description on the website includes Legacy 9.0 Deluxe software - download-only edition, 

the Legacy manual (PDF), Legacy Charting Deluxe software (installed along with Legacy 9.0)

I downloaded Legacy 9.0 Standard Edition (Free) first and then unlock 🗝 the Deluxe version with the code received at time of purchase.    

Now, to figure out the best way to transfer my family data from my other computer. Normally, I would just copy a data file onto a flash drive or external hard drive to transfer to another computer.

I checked on the Legacy site on how to transfer the family data file in Legacy, just to be sure. I was able to find a webinar on using Dropbox in Genealogy, by Thomas MacEntee that was done several years ago on Legacy Family Tree Webinars,. I listed the link below in resources.  

This was great!  I decided that it would be a good idea from here on to save at least one copy of my Legacy backups to Dropbox. This would allow me to facilitate a transfer to another device or computer in the future. 

4. Save Family Data file to Dropbox. 

I like the idea of saving 2 backups- one to my computer and another to Dropbox.  

In general, Dropbox makes it so much easier to share files across various devices, and it works like a charm with Legacy.  I created a Legacy Software folder to save my Legacy Backup files when I need to. 

5. Restoring Legacy Family Data File to Another Computer — 

In Legacy software, click on ‘FILE’ at the top - Then Click on ‘RESTORE FILE’. 

File explorer will come up. Click on Dropbox and then locate the family file that I had saved. 

The Media File is separate, but there is a box you can click on to restore that file as well. I will do that at a later date, as my goal at the moment is to have Legacy installed and working on the new computer. 

                                            Mission accomplished!!

Family file is now installed in the Legacy software on the new computer. 

🌳  🌳  🌳  🌳  🌳  🌳 🌳  🌳  🌳  🌳  🌳  🌳  🌳  🌳  🌳  🌳  🌳  🌳  🌳  

Resources: 

Side Note: The Tips and How-To’s link on the Home page in Legacy is excellent. You should be able to find just about anything you may need help with. 

Legacy Family Tree Webinars:  ‘Moving Your Family File From One Computer to Another’

For more about Dropbox see Dropbox and Legacy.

‘Dropbox for Genealogists’ by Thomas MacEntee on Legacy Family Tree Webinars. Despite, the fact that it was taped a few years ago, I found it relevant. 

‘Backup & Restore - How to Restore a Legacy File’

Names — What’s in a Name?

Names — what’s in a name?  Well, sometimes... a lot. 

For instance, a name, whether it is a person or place, can crack the door wide open to some long-standing questions, or it can create even more twists and turns. And if you love mysteries, it may definitely not disappoint. In fact, I would venture to say you will have more than a few yarns to untangle throughout your research while searching for names.  

Of course, the caveat is to focus on the goal leading to new possibilities and discoveries, and not simply become name collectors, in the process.  

Why is it so hard to find the names to our ancestors. I’m sure you’ve discovered that some people are easier to find than others. Some pop up without hesitation while others are more elusive, and then there are those that you fear will never be revealed. However, even in the  most difficult circumstances, one discovers that it can often be a very simple deviance to your method or a random trial and error that works.  So, does the outcome justify the means?  Maybe, maybe not.. you will have to decide. 

And so, in our name quest, we cannot talk about names, or the difficulty of uncovering them, without bringing up the subject of our hidden female ancestors. Yes, you know, the ones that don’t seem to exist... anywhere.  

Well, I wish I had the keys to give you, with all the answers, but unfortunately, that doesn’t exist.  

Although, I can provide a suggestion here and there. Not what you want to hear, yet small, simple nuggets can help in surprising ways. 

A few tips... 

I cannot count the ways I have seen names entered into family trees, throughout all the well-known databases that we enjoy using. Many of these sites have world-wide platforms, and subscribers with varying levels of experience.  It’s all good, after all it is fun, and not everyone has hours to spend on research, nor are they studying to become a genealogist. Shocking, I know... but it’s true.

In fact, in my family I’m probably the only one that has an intense interest in genealogy and family history, where I could talk genealogy, hands down nonstop, all day. I know... can you relate??

And.. that’s ok too.  As I say, whatever floats your boat.  

With that said, it takes dedication and commitment to stay the course of the research.  And.. from a genealogical standpoint, it is important to use a genealogical standard. There are several resources on the subject. 

When adding women to your family tree always use their maiden name. 

One of the reasons women are hard to track in genealogy research, is that more often than not, we see the woman listed in a family tree with her married name despite the fact that the birth name is known and not used. Needless, to say, this makes it more difficult to find her birth parents, family and other pertinent information. In addition it is often, not always clear as to which name that appears in the tree is the birth or married surname, particularly in situations where the parents and, or the spouse is unknown.   

Of course, it is often the case, that only a married name is known. I would suggest to leave her surname blank until it is discovered in further research. 

Of course, it just requires a bit more legwork to pinpoint whether the name used is either a birth or married surname.  It is easier in our current time-frame to distinguish, thanks to the SSDI, than say, 100 years ago, when records were being introduced and established, depending on the state. 

It is only a tradition that women change their last name to their husband’s surname.  

Let’s explore a few things..  

In general, we know throughout history, that women were recognized legally, either through their husband, if married, or her father or older brother, if unmarried.  Historically, this trend originated from the transfer of property that took place when a woman married. Basically, a woman went from being part of her birth family to becoming her husbands’ property.  Sounds a bit archaic in our present day world, but nonetheless, that is historical fact. Yet, as I always say, there is always the possibility of an exception to the rule, however, for the most part, it was pretty much the rule.   It is an interesting subject that can be researched further, as this piece is not an in-depth study on the subject. 

Globally, it is more often the case, that women maintain their identity by keeping their birth surname regardless of marital status.  Obviously, as for research purposes, this allows for a much easier experience. 

In addition, when a woman has children, the children are also known by both surnames. They carry the father’s surname which is their primary, legal name and then the Mother’s surname comes second. You will find this practice in Spanish-speaking countries, primarily. 

Another caveat... Be certain you know which is the paternal and maternal surname. 

It is important to study the history and know the time-frame you are researching, as that practice was reversed at times, making it even more confusing. For example, the mother’s name was used first and then the father’s surname. Perhaps I will do a piece on the history of that practice in a future post. 

Although, this is not practiced in the United States, there are still ways to maintain your surname by becoming proactive to use it. I have reminded my daughters numerous times, of the importance of keeping their birth surnames after marriage, wherever possible.  You can take your husband’s surname.. just don’t lose your own in the process.  Keep your identity.. that is who you are.  A few obvious options that generally use your maiden name are driver’s licenses, legal papers, etc.  

Entering females on a Family tree. 

1. Use the birth surname for the female.  Use the birth surname if it is known. Remember, that there is also a marriage entry, if it applies to her, that will obviously display her married name. 

2. Leave it blank — If the birth surname and birth parents are unknown, my suggestion is to leave it blank. You can always fill it in later.  By leaving the surname blank, there is no confusion or guesswork as to who she is. Remember, in most cases, her married name will always be known through the husband. It is the birth name that is key and easier to lose.. as that is her identity. 

3. Be consistent — When entering data on family trees, be consistent!  

And so it goes.. the search goes on.. and on.  Always looking for that one name that could turn the tide in our research. Remember, it will take time.. a long time.  It can be a lifetime commitment, illuminating the road to the past. The goal is to move forward, and not worry whether we are making giant steps or baby steps.

One more thing.. If you are interested in learning more about genealogical standards in your research, I will provide a few links at the end of this post.  I would highly suggest that you take advantage of the excellent learning resources Online that are available. They offer an invaluable education, not only to those of us working to become certified as a professional, but simply to further your own education as a more proficient researcher, to achieve better results in your own genealogical endeavors. 

There is so much to learn in life and so much to accomplish, and I have found, that it is when you learn proper methodologies, that it can help circumvent the trials and errors in achieving your goals. 

The point is that we be consistent in our work and press forward to make progress — as that is our end result.  🌳

Additional Resources: 

BCG:  https://bcgcertification.org/learning/        

NGS: https://www.ngsgenealogy.org/learning-center/  

NIGS: https://www.genealogicalstudies.com 

Boston University: https://genealogyonline.bu.edu/? 

Evidence Explained by Elizabeth Shown Mills:  evidenceexplained.com 

Collaterals are Just as Important

Here we are another month and more research twists and turns. 

I actually started writing this several weeks ago and so.. here I am. I’m not behind... I’m right on time. Don’t sweat the small stuff and quit worrying about every little thing. 

Finally, I have all the Petition letters to the churches in the Canary Islands ready to go except for the signatures from the local Catholic Church. Apparently this is required by the Diocesis of Gran Canaria, for those requesting information about their family at the local Parroquias. Apparently, there are two main Diocesis in the Canary Islands. The Diocesis of Gran Canaria and the Diocesis of Tenerife, and they both have their own protocol on how you proceed to request records. 

I found the greatest difficulty to be in having to acquire signatures by my local Catholic Church in the area. That seems to be a simple task, but has turned out to be a most daunting situation. I do have a contact that may turn out to be the key that unlocks this door, so that I can complete this portion. 

Meanwhile, I continue with my DNA matches through the several companies that I have tested with.  To better, keep up with matches and the match analysis that I am doing I decided to personalize my own spreadsheets to work with my research genetic analysis. Once I have completed and tested these worksheets, I may include them on a future post. 

Last month turned into a pretty active DNA month. I made contact with a rather ‘close’ cousin, at least closer in Centimorgans than I am ever used to finding on my match results. Most are very low in number and have surnames I have never heard of in my family. I guess, that just signifies women marrying and taking on their Husband’s surnames, but whatever the case, it really complicates the research. 

Turns out my contact had 3 kits he is managing through MyHeritage and I matched all three. One was a pretty high CentiMorgan range — almost a first cousin range. I thought that’s way too close for me to not know who it is.  And of course, the surname was unfamiliar. 

It would be so nice if women held on to their own family surnames, as they do in other countries, particularly European countries. It would be so much easier to find them.  

So, I made contact and he graciously responded.  And drum roll..... lo and behold, it turns out our common ancestor is my maternal great-grandparents and his maternal 2 Great-grandparents!!!  Touchdown!!!! Awesome 🎉🎉🎉  I love when this happens. 

As if that wasn’t awesome enough, I had another breakthrough with another contact in another country. I sent an invitation to access my tree and I was able to access theirs. We found a few similar surnames from the town that my ancestors were from, but based on experience that is not always as clear cut as it looks. 

So we both kept digging deeper to see where the connection could be. I am so appreciative to come across others with similar passions or interests in their family history. So refreshing and encouraging. 

I sent my information for the surnames we were showing in common, including collateral lines. 

And to stress that very point, sometimes we focus only on direct lines, but that limits your research and can make the difference in whether or not you get your breakthrough and find your ancestors. 

Fortunately, they had access to the local archives and was able to search in the record books for the approximate years we were targeting. As it turned out, her direct female ancestor was a sibling of my male direct ancestor, and their parents were our most recent common ancestor. If I had not given Information on the brother of my great-grandfather, we would not have seen the connection 2 generations back. 

So a word of advice— don’t dismiss those collaterals. They are every bit as important as your direct line.  

Keep digging deeper and look around at all those collaterals. 

A Glimpse or Perception — Now and Then

As good as someone else’s life may look you never really know the full story. 

We see countless posts on social media such as Facebook and others, in fact many that we create ourselves. Words, photos displaying our world — thoughts and feelings whether happy, sad or indifferent. 

Our ancestors certainly didn’t have social media. Newspapers didn’t start to appear in England until the 1600’s.(1) 
The first printed newspaper is presumed to have been printed in Germany in the late 1400’s.(2)

The closest we get to social media in the past was the society page that began around the 1830’s in the United States.  That pretty much included prominent citizens or something newsworthy about a local resident, such as engagements, marriages or births, or maybe someone’s name made the paper if they committed a crime. 

Yes, presently, social media is a small glimpse, or a perception of our life.  

No longer is this exclusive to high society and the elite, but it is available virtually to anyone with access to the internet, via computer or mobile devices.  Yes, a snippet of a moment captured, yet perceived a certain way by the observer or viewer’s perception. 

Things perceived are not always as they appear.  

I was watching a popular, morning news show, recently and was touched by a segment about one of the co-hosts. She shared about her struggle with infertility after she and her husband decided to increase their family after the birth of their first child. With her beautiful smile and a persona of sunshine each day on the show one would never know the painful challenges she faced.

Although, our perception may have been not a care in the world , it could not have been further from the reality of the challenge being faced. Not hopeless, but emotionally taxing. 

I was moved by her honesty and appreciated her willingness to be transparent about her personal challenging experience— a situation that does affect many women.  Despite the evidence that this was not easy, I knew her story would touch many, and that despite the hardship, it would bring encouragement on some level to those struggling in general. 

 I realized, that although I may not have had that particular challenge in my life, I certainly have had my own unique, painful challenges that brought on a feeling of despair at times with a sense of isolation. 

One thing is certain.. we all face challenges in life. Some minor and some very painful at times. 

Pain and hardship is universal and we all understand what that feels like at one point or another. 

It is all relative, but I think it may be safe to say that most of our ancestors throughout history faced much more challenging situations and difficulties than we do in present day.  However, I say that loosely, as I realize there can be exceptions of anyone who has experienced a horrific scenario.  

I began to think, if this is true, then, why is it that we don’t share difficulties with others.  

I know that, sharing our struggles isn’t always easy, particularly, if there have been painful relationships or betrayal involved. I am sure there are infinite reasons why. 

Often we stay silent lest we think we will be perceived as complaining or negative. Yet, even in those times, it is important to find a safe place to share our struggles.

And what about our ancestors, who were much less inclined to speak about their own feelings and painful experiences. Who did they confide in?  

How did they handle their circumstances and emotional disappointments. 

Obviously, they did not have a lot of idle time on their hands. 

And as the saying, which is the origin from an old rhymed couplet(3):

“Man may work from sun to sun,

But woman's work is never done.”

We are aware of prominent people throughout history in the Arts and well-known literary classics, which when looked at more closely we see how they were often inspired by their deepest thoughts, feelings or painful experiences.  

On a side note...   We can go through emotionally, taxing situations that overwhelm us to a state of despair and feel as we don’t have a choice but to hold steady for a time until we can walk again. Sometimes, we choose to isolate ourselves 
away for a time of reflection to regroup. 

Everyone has a different threshold and tolerance, and since we cannot see the whole picture, we will never fully comprehend fully the struggle, how the situation is processed and in time the result. 

None of us have all the answers, but I have come to realize the importance of close friends. 

I challenge myself and others to live more in the present, stay in a state of thankfulness and appreciation for whatever comes. 

My motto for years is... “As bad as it may seem, things can always be worse.”

Hopefully, we learn to not dwell so much on the problems, but walk in spiritual faith to find a deeper meaning within the experience and solutions with encouragement from those in similar situations along the way. 

So what does all of this have to do with our genealogy?? 

As stated earlier... Does what we read, truly represent the whole picture?  Or is it possibly the persona of an image we perceive. 

We see a window of time but not the entire picture when we research our ancestors. 

Making it difficult to assess what we see, read, or hear without deeper research. 

Often we read incorrectly into someone’s words or our perception of their life, because we don’t walk in their shoes or see from their viewpoint of life.  

There are many circumstances, family situations and ethnicities. This is what makes us all so unique and interesting.  

Our geographical locations or regions, also help form our ideas and perceptions. 

Working with genealogical research, we must certainly hold that before us as we try to interpret information we come across and try to make sense of something we are learning about at every step and turn we take. 

 As genealogists we learn that we must not jump to conclusions based on perception. 

We must create a habit of processing our thoughts through the lens of careful analysis attained through reliable Information that we can use to form a reasonable hypothesis that we can prove or disprove.  

Obviously this may not always be possible, as difficulties arise when we uncover areas we know little about, such as an ancestors origination from a foreign country, different religion, culture, etc 

We never lived in a time period in the past or experienced those cultures, so how can we presume to understand an individual’s mindset in a specific time period. All we can do is research as best we can and attempt to place ourselves in our ancestors shoes and try to not interject our modern day thinking.  

Often, we complicate this process with our own interpretation based on our own perspective, bias or simply wishful thinking, when it may have actually been much simpler reason.  

As researchers, our work begins as we go about learning as much as possible about the history of the locations and time-frame you are researching to better understand it all in our current modern-day perspective.  

Sometimes it means to be as understanding as possible of possibilities that may have been catalysts for our ancestors towards the array of decisions they had to make. 

These variables will help develop a particular hypothesis which sets the parameters for proving or disproving, the said hypothesis, as the case may be. 

Whatever the case, we we must reach that conclusion after exhausting all possible avenues. 

This is where the quality of the work done will come to light. The difference between a good researcher and an excellent research. Not perfect. We will never reach perfection, but excellent research is a worthy goal to aspire. 

Footnotes: 
1. https://www.historicpages.com/nprhist.htm

2. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Society_reporting

3. https://www.myenglishpages.com/site_php_files/random-idiom.php?c=766 

Trying Out New Ancestry Features

During the most recent RootsTech this past February-March 2019, Ancestry introduced several new features to use with our family trees and DNA matches. I for one am very glad to see these new additions that help organize what we do on their site.  I am all for finding ways to make things easier to work with and track while we research and collect information. 

To access these new Tools you must first turn on Beta. Go to the AncestryDNA pull down menu and click on ‘ExtrasTab’ then  —> AncestryLabs   —> Beta.

MyTreeTags: 

This allows you to tag information that you have in your tree, to find things easier and asses any patterns.  

To add a tag to a person, go to a their Profile page, then below their name click on the small blue tag.  A Workspace pop up opens on a Side Panel to the right. 

Here is where you can make notes about this person or the research. This part has not changed. 

•The Notes are still Private On all trees regardless as to whether your tree is public or private. 

•The Comments: are still Public. 

You will notice a new section called Tags. 

These are the Tag categories you can use for labeling. 

•DNA: matches, connections, common ancestor. 

•Reference Tags: Immigrants, Military Service, Royalty—Nobility. 

•Research: Hypothesis, Actively researching, brick wall, verified, unverified, complete. 

•Relationships: Direct Ancestor, Died Young, Never married, Had no kids, orphan. 

The other new feature they have provided is the ability to Create Groups out of your DNA Matches. And you can now Label & Color Code these DNA Groups any way you like.

As a visual person, I am excited about these new additions, not only will it help to better identify at a glance what is going on with an entry but it will also help organize the matches where you can understand how they fit into our family trees. 

ThruLines

Ancestry also introduced, ThruLines™, which I am still learning how to use. As far as I can see, the more people you have in your family trees and others make their family trees available for viewing, the better the results. From what I understand, it does search out private and public trees alike,  however, the private trees are not visible and you must message the person who owns the tree to compare with their tree. 

I think that for AncestryDNA users with a Member Tree this may help determine how their DNA Matches relate to them and hopefully pinpoint their Common Ancestor.  

I think all of these new additions at Ancestry will prove to be valuable tools. I know one thing for sure.. it will be fun testing them out... now all we need is a little extra time.