This application will convert an Ahnentafel into a Gedcom-like computer file. The application is very small and needs no installation. It should be placed in the same directory where the Ahnentafel is. Upon clicking on the .exe file, the application will look for a file named ahnentafel.txt, and will automatically generate a Gedcom-like file called tree.ged. This file should be compatible with mainstream genealogy software, and so far it is known to work with Legacy.
The code is compiled to work in the Microsoft Windows platform.
This genealogical tool may save you hours of typing into your genealogical database, and only costs 9,99€.
By making the purchase you declare that you read and understood the instructions given in this page. Safely pay with Paypal by clicking the "Comprar ahora" (Spanish for "buy now") button. Upon receiving your payment we'll e-mail you the application.
Instructions
This is a very small application and needs not be installed. The application has to be placed in the same directory as an Ahnentafel. Then the .exe file has to be run, and the Gedcom-like file is automatically generated. Before closing, the application will promt you to type the gender of person number one.
If used multiple times, care should be taken not to leave a file with the same name as the one whis is to be generated, as the latter would replace the former without warning.
This piece of software is capable of handling 32768 individuals in an ancestors' table. For longer trees, the work must be fractioned.
For the purpose of this piece of software, an Ahnentafel is defined as a plain text computer file containing a list of numbered individuals. Each line of the text file must contain two fields separated by a tab character. The first field is the number of the individual, then comes the tab, and following the tab comes the second field, which is the name of the individual. No distinction is made between given names and surnames. The full name is interpreted as a single field. You understand that some arrangements should be done, both before and after converting an Ahnentafel to a Gedcom using this application. Before, the Ahnentafel has to be arranged with a word processor or text editor so it contains just two fields per line, separated by a tab character. After, since the name of each individual will most likely need to be splitted into the appropriate supplimentary fields using your genealogical software.
This application works with couples. If an individual is missing from your Ahnentafel you should include them as well, in which case you should type a substitute of their name (for example, "unknown person").
Inbreeding is not supported, so when you have the number of the individual followed by a tab character, followed in turn by an arrow or some other symbol and then another number, the arrow or symbol plus the number that follows will be interpreted as being the name.
The input text file should not contain empty lines.
This application simplifies a lot of the typing when you need to introduce a lot of new names (often thousands of them) into your genealogical database. Even so, there is also some manual work necessary: cleaning the Ahnentafel to meet the requierements of this conversion tool, and arranging the names in the genealogical application. I am a genealogist myself, and personally prefer having to clean the Ahnentafel and work on people's names rather than typing everything, all names, one by one, calculating each time the double and the double plus one of the current person, and going back and forth in a very long text file.
Hardcore old-school genealogists may not find this tool usefull, as for them patiently typing everything in each person's data page or file is absolutely mandatory.
The application can be improved. I come from the field of the Liberal Arts, and learnt the C++ programming language ONLY to create this application. It can be included in mainstream genealogical software and developped by professionals. Talk to the programmers of the genealogical application you use and suggest them to contact me in order to buy the source code of this application.