RootsMagic
Frequently Asked Questions

Converting from Other Programs

How to convert to RootsMagic from other software programs.

1. Converting from Family Origins to RootsMagic
2. When I try to create a GEDCOM file from Family Origins it says the disk is full, but I have tons of disk space.
3. Converting from Family Tree Maker to RootsMagic
4. Converting from PAF 5 to RootsMagic
5. Converting from Ultimate Family Tree (UFT) to RootsMagic
6. Converting from Generations to RootsMagic
7. Converting from Legacy to RootsMagic
8. Converting from The Master Genealogist (TMG) to RootsMagic
9. What features does Family Origins have that are not in RootsMagic?

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STILL GOT QUESTIONS?
If your question still is not answered, please email us at: Support@GenealogySupplies.com (Please ensure that you include your name and postcode) or call 01722 716121

1. Converting from Family Origins to RootsMagic

1. Open your Family Origins program
2. If you have ever turned off certain fact types from exporting to GEDCOM, you should review the fact list in your Family Origins database to make sure they are set to export. Do “Lists, Fact types” from the main menu (in some earlier versions you will do “Edit, Fact types”). Then Edit each fact type to make sure it is set to export to GEDCOM.
3. Export a GEDCOM file from Family Origins (do “File, GEDCOM, Export” from the main menu).
4. You will be asked for the name of the GEDCOM file you want to create. Also pay attention to where you are saving the GEDCOM file, so that you can find it to import into RootsMagic. My Documents is a good place to export the file to. Click Save (or OK).
5. A dialog will appear for you to select the export options. Choose the options and click “OK”.
   a. Choose “Export entire database”
   b. Select “General” destination
   c. Check every option to export, and check “Preserve wordwrapping”.
6. Repeat steps 2 – 5 for each database if you have more than one.

To import your data into RootsMagic:

1. After installing RootsMagic, open your RootsMagic program
2. Create a new database by selecting “File, New” from the main menu. Enter the name you want to call your database, then click “Save” (or “OK”). An option dialog will appear. Choose the options you want and then click “OK”.
3. Import the GEDCOM file you created above into the new blank database. Do “File, Import GEDCOM” from the main menu.
4. Select the GEDCOM file you created above, then click the “Open” (or “OK”) button.
5. An import option dialog will appear. Choose the settings you want, although you will probably just want to use the default settings. A few people wanted to be able to keep the same record numbers they had in Family Origins, so that option is available here. Click the “Begin import” button to import the GEDCOM file.
6. Repeat steps 2 – 5 for each database if you have more than one.

If you are switching from Family Origins 6.0 (or earlier) AND added pictures or To Do items to your database, you will need to email us a copy of your database to ensure that the To Do list and photo links are included in the GEDCOM file that you will import into RootsMagic. Create a backup of your database (do “File, Backup” from the main menu) and email the backup to convert@rootsmagic.com. We will create and email you a GEDCOM file that you can import into RootsMagic.
- Updated: July 18, 2003

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2. When I try to create a GEDCOM file from Family Origins it says the disk is full, but I have tons of disk space.

Right click on the Family Origins start-up icon, select properties, then the "Compatibility" tab. Set the compatibility to Win 98 or ME and you should have no problem exporting a GEDCOM file. - Updated: December 1, 2003

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3. Converting from Family Tree Maker to RootsMagic

1. Open your Family Tree Maker program
2. Do “File, Copy/Export” from the main menu.
3. Change "Save as type" to GEDCOM
4. You will be asked for the name of the GEDCOM file you want to create. Also pay attention to where you are saving the GEDCOM file, so that you can find it to import into RootsMagic. My Documents is a good place to export the file to. Click Save (or OK).
5. A dialog will appear for you to select the export options. Choose the defaults and click “OK”.
6. Repeat steps 2 – 5 for each database if you have more than one.

To import your data into RootsMagic:

1. After installing RootsMagic, open your RootsMagic program
2. Create a new database by selecting “File, New” from the main menu. Enter the name you want to call your database, then click “Save” (or “OK”). An option dialog will appear. Choose the options you want and then click “OK”.
3. Import the GEDCOM file you created above into the new blank database. Do “File, Import GEDCOM” from the main menu.
4. Select the GEDCOM file you created above, then click the “Open” (or “OK”) button.
5. An import option dialog will appear. Choose the settings you want, although you will probably just want to use the default settings. Click the “Begin import” button to import the GEDCOM file.
   
   - Updated: August 31, 2004

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4. Converting from PAF 5 to RootsMagic

To export your data from PAF 5:

1. Open your PAF program
2. Do “File, Export” from the main menu.
3. A dialog will appear for you to select the export options. Set "Export to" to PAF5, check all the "Include" boxes, then click “OK”.
4. You will be asked for the name of the GEDCOM file you want to create. Also pay attention to where you are saving the GEDCOM file, so that you can find it to import into RootsMagic. My Documents is a good place to export the file to. Click Save (or OK).
5. Repeat steps 2 – 4 for each database if you have more than one.

To import your data into RootsMagic:

1. After installing RootsMagic, open your RootsMagic program
2. Create a new database by selecting “File, New” from the main menu. Enter the name you want to call your database, then click “Save” (or “OK”). An option dialog will appear. Choose the options you want and then click “OK”.
3. Import the GEDCOM file you created above into the new blank database. Do “File, Import GEDCOM” from the main menu.
4. Select the GEDCOM file you created above, then click the “Open” (or “OK”) button.
5. An import option dialog will appear. Choose the settings you want, although you will probably just want to use the default settings. Click the “Begin import” button to import the GEDCOM file.

- Updated: August 31, 2004

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5. Converting from Ultimate Family Tree (UFT) to RootsMagic

To export your data from UFT:

1. Open your UFT program
2. Do “File, Save as” from the main menu.
3. Change "Save file as type" to GEDCOM
4. You will be asked for the name of the GEDCOM file you want to create. Also pay attention to where you are saving the GEDCOM file, so that you can find it to import into RootsMagic. My Documents is a good place to export the file to. Click OK.
5. A dialog will appear for you to select the export options. Choose Family 5.5 as the GEDCOM format, then click “OK”.
6. Repeat steps 2 – 5 for each database if you have more than one.

To import your data into RootsMagic:

1. After installing RootsMagic, open your RootsMagic program.
2. Create a new database by selecting “File, New” from the main menu. Enter the name you want to call your database, then click “Save” (or “OK”). An option dialog will appear. Choose the options you want and then click “OK”.
3. Import the GEDCOM file you created above into the new blank database. Do “File, Import GEDCOM” from the main menu.
4. Select the GEDCOM file you created above, then click the “Open” (or “OK”) button.
5. An import option dialog will appear. Choose the settings you want, although you will probably just want to use the default settings. Click the “Begin import” button to import the GEDCOM file.

- Updated: August 31, 2004

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6. Converting from Generations to RootsMagic

To export your data from Generations:

1. Open your Generations program
2. Do “File, Export” from the main menu. It may be "File, Import/Export" on some versions. Then choose "GEDCOM file".
3. A dialog will appear for you to select the export options. Set "Who" to "All individuals", check "Include sources", set "Destination" to "GEDCOM 5.5", set "GEDCOM character set" to "Windows", then click “Export”.
4. You will be asked for the name of the GEDCOM file you want to create. Also pay attention to where you are saving the GEDCOM file, so that you can find it to import into RootsMagic. My Documents is a good place to export the file to. Click Save (or OK).
5. Repeat steps 2 – 4 for each database if you have more than one.

To import your data into RootsMagic:

1. After installing RootsMagic, open your RootsMagic program
2. Create a new database by selecting “File, New” from the main menu. Enter the name you want to call your database, then click “Save” (or “OK”). An option dialog will appear. Choose the options you want and then click “OK”.
3. Import the GEDCOM file you created above into the new blank database. Do “File, Import GEDCOM” from the main menu.
4. Select the GEDCOM file you created above, then click the “Open” (or “OK”) button.
5. An import option dialog will appear. Choose the settings you want, although you will probably just want to use the default settings. Click the “Begin import” button to import the GEDCOM file.

- Updated: August 31, 2004

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7. Converting from Legacy to RootsMagic

To export your data from Legacy:

1. Open your Legacy program
2. Do “File, Export to, GEDCOM file” from the main menu.
3. A dialog will appear for you to select the export options. Click the "Select file name and start import" button.
4. You will be asked for the name of the GEDCOM file you want to create. Also pay attention to where you are saving the GEDCOM file, so that you can find it to import into RootsMagic. My Documents is a good place to export the file to. Click Save (or OK).
5. Repeat steps 2 – 4 for each database if you have more than one.

To import your data into RootsMagic:

1. After installing RootsMagic, open your RootsMagic program
2. Create a new database by selecting “File, New” from the main menu. Enter the name you want to call your database, then click “Save” (or “OK”). An option dialog will appear. Choose the options you want and then click “OK”.
3. Import the GEDCOM file you created above into the new blank database. Do “File, Import GEDCOM” from the main menu.
4. Select the GEDCOM file you created above, then click the “Open” (or “OK”) button.
5. An import option dialog will appear. Choose the settings you want, although you will probably just want to use the default settings. Click the “Begin import” button to import the GEDCOM file.

- Updated: August 31, 2004

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8. Converting from The Master Genealogist (TMG) to RootsMagic

To export your data from TMG:

1. Open your TMG program and open the file you want to transfer
2. Do “File, Export” from the main menu. Click Next.
3. Change the export file type to Gedcom (*.ged)
4. Type a filename where it asks for Export file name.
5. Click the Locate button and choose My Documents as the place to save your GEDCOM file. Click Next. Click Next.
6. A dialog will appear for you to select the export options. Set Version to GEDCOM 5.5, Character set to ANSEL. Click Next.
7. Set Tag types to All, Names to All Variations, Events to All Variations. Click Next. Click Next. Click Finish.
8. Repeat steps 2 – 5 for each database if you have more than one.

To import your data into RootsMagic:

1. After installing RootsMagic, open your RootsMagic program
2. Create a new database by selecting “File, New” from the main menu. Enter the name you want to call your database, then click “Save” (or “OK”). An option dialog will appear. Choose the options you want and then click “OK”.
3. Import the GEDCOM file you created above into the new blank database. Do “File, Import GEDCOM” from the main menu.
4. Select the GEDCOM file you created above, then click the “Open” (or “OK”) button.
5. An import option dialog will appear. Choose the settings you want, although you will probably just want to use the default settings. Click the “Begin import” button to import the GEDCOM file.

- Updated: December 27, 2003

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9. What features does Family Origins have that are not in RootsMagic?

RootsMagic has many features not found in Family Origins (some large, some small). As for features that Family Origins has that are not in RootsMagic...

1. RootsMagic does not have the Family Finder Report, which goes online and compares your database with an online database. It does, however, have a feature which will let you search various sites such as familysearch.org, rootsweb.com, etc. for any name in your database.
2. RootsMagic does not have a direct PAF import. In order to get access to the PAF 5.x file format, we would have had to sign a contract stating we would not write a competing product. We decided against that. You can still import a GEDCOM file from PAF into RootsMagic.

- Updated: June 13, 2004

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STILL GOT QUESTIONS?
If your question still is not answered, please email us at: Support@GenealogySupplies.com (Please ensure that you include your name and postcode) or call 01722 716121

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