Searchable Detail Field in Sources

Judith Morris · #1 13 March 2006, 06:10 PM

There still doesn't seem to be a way to do a "find anything" in the detail field for sources, at least I've not been able to find it.

In my two main family files (one with 5759 people and 536 sources, and the other with 3965 people and 241 sources), I have MUCH important information in the detail fields for my sources, and not being able to locate this information when I need it is much more than merely frustrating. (If I'd realized all this way back when I started using Reunion back at about version 3, I probably would have figured out a better way to enter my sources!)

I PRAY somebody can tell me there really is a way to search information in my detail fields! Or perhaps this is something that is definitely in the works for the next version?

martha · #2 15 March 2006, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judith Morris

There still doesn't seem to be a way to do a "find anything" in the detail field for sources, at least I've not been able to find it.

In my two main family files (one with 5759 people and 536 sources, and the other with 3965 people and 241 sources), I have MUCH important information in the detail fields for my sources, and not being able to locate this information when I need it is much more than merely frustrating. (If I'd realized all this way back when I started using Reunion back at about version 3, I probably would have figured out a better way to enter my sources!)

I PRAY somebody can tell me there really is a way to search information in my detail fields! Or perhaps this is something that is definitely in the works for the next version?

Same here. This is an issue that I have begged for for ages - that ALL cells in Reunion be searchable.

PLEASE???

Peter Cook · #3 15 March 2006, 07:03 AM

In V8.06, while not directly accessible from "Find Anything", if you
List
Sources
then click on the "Source Tools" button,
around about the middle is "Find Text in Source Fields " (Cmd F)
The next screen allows you to select a source type ( or leave the default All),
and then search on specific fields or the free-form field
Once the results are displayed the individuals cards can be marked ...
from there it is a simple task to use "Find Anything" with the first condition
Person Marked Yes

sue royce · #4 15 March 2006, 06:44 PM

Peter - I have posted on this problem earlier - the Detail we want to be able to search is the box that is to the right of the Source Citation box, which appears to be a separate field of its own. It is not a sub-set of the Source field; and so can't be searched by the method you've described unfortunately.

Being able to search and list this is the absolute highest item on my agenda.

Regards
Sue Royce
Twizel Nz

Tom Robinson · #5 20 March 2006, 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sue royce

the Detail we want to be able to search is the box that is to the right of the Source Citation box

It's a bit of hard work, but you can search it by creating a report, then searching the report with a word processor…

In case you haven't already been down this track:

1. Go into Options - Reports - Sources, and make sure Citation Detail is selected
2. Create a report (e.g. Family History Report)
3. Save it for reference

Now you can search the saved report for the source detail.

Alternatively, and this allows you to do everyone at once, you can export a GEDCOM and make sure Include Sources is selected. This also includes the detail field you're after.

Personally I don't use the detail field much, just occasionally for something like a source Letter from Grandad where I'll note the page number.

For census records, I have one source for each census (1861, 1871, etc.), then a FileMaker database which links a person to a census sheet. The database basically contains Reunion Person ID, census class (year), piece, folio, page.

Judith Morris · #6 20 March 2006, 01:33 PM

Thanks for all your input. I'm at least encouraged to know this is something others have been wanting and needing. For a moment there, I thought Tom Robinson might be onto something, but after multiple attempts and manipulations, find it's truly impossible to do what I need. I now rue the day I ever entered a single character into the "detail" field for my free form sources!

Tom Robinson · #7 22 March 2006, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judith Morris

but after multiple attempts and manipulations, find it's truly impossible to do what I need

Which bit is impossible? If you create a report or export a GEDCOM, you can then search that for the source detail field. Granted, you have to regularly refresh the report/GEDCOM, but at least you _can_ search it...

Jerry Hendricks · #8 22 March 2006, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Robinson

For census records, I have one source for each census (1861, 1871, etc.), then a FileMaker database which links a person to a census sheet. The database basically contains Reunion Person ID, census class (year), piece, folio, page.

Tom,
That sounds like a great idea. Is it possible for you to post a template of the FileMaker file, so we can all utilize your method without reinventing the wheel?

Andrew-Bede Allsop · #9 23 March 2006, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Hendricks

Tom, That sounds like a great idea. Is it possible for you to post a template of the FileMaker file, so we can all utilize your method without reinventing the wheel?

Yes I agree this is a great idea, what would be even better is if it were possible to create a hot link direct from a Reunion family card to the person in the FileMaker database. Is this possible?

Tom Robinson · #10 24 March 2006, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Hendricks

That sounds like a great idea. Is it possible for you to post a template of the FileMaker file, so we can all utilize your method without reinventing the wheel?

Sure. I've made a proper page of my Reunion bits & pieces, and included this one:

http://www.tomrobinson.co.nz/genealogy/reunion.html