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Archiver > TMG > 2001-09 > 0999370442


From: Richard Brogger <>
Subject: Re: [TMG] Renumber for Reference No.?
Date: Sat, 01 Sep 2001 13:54:02 -0500
References: <95.fbbddab.28c23953@aol.com>


wrote:
>
> I have been using TMG for several years now but have recently begun using
> modified Henry numbers for my dataset. I am interested in hearing whether
> others have renumbered their direct ancestors on TMG to reflect their Henry
> numbers (or whatever reference you're using). While it is irritating to have
> to memorize two sets of numbers for your ancestors, renumbering would mandate
> assigning unused, and hence large, numbers to your children, siblings, etc.
>
> Amy Higgins Tull
>
Hi Amy,

Everyone in my main data set is numbered and the number is entered
in the Reference field. The root of the number is the modified Henry
system. That makes me 12211324. Since my wife is not a descendant
she would not get a number so I use the spouse's number and add a +1
for the first spouse. That makes my wife 12211324+1. Since I also
record ancestors who do not have a Henry number, I add a caret and
the Ahnentafel number. My wife's father is 12211324+1^2. Since I
include the siblings of a spouse, I use the number of their
ancestor, add a comma and a Henry number. My wife's brother is
12211324+1^2,1.

Kathryn's system is similar except she uses Ahnentafel numbers for
the root. Since TMG can generate both Ahnentafel and modified Henry
numbers, it would seem possible for a computer to combine them and
number everyone. It would have to use some convention when a person
can have two or more numbers. I usually use the smallest number.

If the computer could assign numbers with a standard meaning, such
as those Kathryn or I use, I would recommend that everyone use
them. Since it must be hand entered, I only recommend them for
those with a small data set. It is a big task to enter them for
several thousand people. Once a person understands the two base
number systems, the combined numbers take on a lot of meaning and do
not need to be memorized. The three additional characters are easy
to remember because plus adds a spouse, a caret points up for
ancestors and a comma points down for descendants.

I also use the same system for the folders where I store images on
my hard drive. When I open C:\MyPics I have a folder labeled Temp
for files to be sorted. I have folders 12, 1221, 12211 and 123. If I
expand 12211, I have five levels of subfolders. I have too few
images to warrant subfolders for all lines but I can add them when I
need to. Since they are numbers, they will sort in the directory
just as they would sort in a Henry numbered descendant report. I use
the same system for conventional folders in a filing cabinet.

Richard Brogger

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