Software Feature
Family Register (Book) Reports

Many GSP producers are now including in their software package a report called "Family Register." The resulting printed reports look like the genealogy books you find in any library complete with Indexes, bibliography and, in one instance, Chapter Headings. You don't have to publish to enjoy the oohs and ahhs of family and friends when they see your family history, with pictures, biographies and histories.

Create Beautiful Family Books

Depending on the GSP, you may find some, if not all, of the following options.


1. FORMAT
   
   Format refers to the way the GSP generates the report as a file. Some will generate a "text only" format and some will generate the report in .RTF (Rich Text Format)
   
   ----TEXT ONLY - The "text only" document produced is very difficult to edit as there are no word processor codes added to the document. Spaces are used for indenting and, if you can bring the document into your word processor, the text is often skewed and difficult to correct. "Text only" also uses a monospaced font and when you open the document, your word processor may convert the text to whatever font you have for a default. "Text only" is the least desireable option to choose for generating Register Reports.
   
   ----RTF (Rich Text Format) - RTF is the most desireable option for generating Register Reports. Regular word processing codes, like indent, etc. are inserted into the text and some GSPs even add the codes that tag individual names for inclusion in an index.
   
   
2. STYLE OF REPORT
   
   ----DESCENDANCY - Some SGPs will generate the descendancy report in Modified Register Report format or NGS (National Genealogical Society) format. The difference between the two is in how individuals are numbered for tracking backwards and forwards in the book. The NGS is usually preferred. Descendancy reports are generated for only one line of descent. If you wish to include more than one progenitor in your book then you must generate a descendancy report for each progenitor you wish to include.
   
   The modified Register places a numbers beside each individual that will be carried forward with descendants using arabic numbers. Each child of a couple are numbered by order of birth using roman numerals. Only those children who are carried forward receive an arabic number.
   
   The NGS report numbers all individuals with arabic numbers in ascending order and all children in a family with roman numerals ascending by birth. A + (plus sign) is placed by those individuals that are carried forward.
   
   ----AHNENTAFEL (or ancestral register report)
   The Ahnentafel report is the pedigree chart as a text document. It can be generated in "text only" or in RTF format. The same comments as in 1. above apply. With the exception of number 1. all males are even numbered and all females are odd numbered and the report is generated by generation. Some GSPs allow the option of including the children of each couple in the report.
   
   Some programs will allow data options as well as format options.
   
   
3. PRINTING OPTIONS
   
   ----PRINT TO PRINTER - Some GSPs offer no other option than to print your Family Register to your printer. If you want to add pictures, biographies and histories to your book this is the least desireable option.
   
   ----PRINT TO DISK FILE - This usually means the Register Report was generated in "text only" format.
   
   ----EXPORT - This option usually goes hand in hand with those GSPs that generate RTF but could mean "text only" export or RTF export. The most desireable option is having a choice.
   
   ----COPY TO CLIPBOARD - Some programs will generate the report and then you can choose "copy report." You must remember, however, to perform the other half of the command - "Paste to document" in your word processor.
   
   When assessing a software program the most desireable features are those that give you editing with ease and choices in how you want your book to look.
   
   CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION - When compiling your data for a Family Register you may have problems excluding confidential data. When assessing a program look for ways to do this. Not many programs offer the feature that de-selects confidential information on reports.
   
   COMMENT: GEN-BOOK, a stand alone program that will generate register reports from GEDCOMs, will generate the report in either WordPerfect 5.1, 6.0 or MSWord 2.0 or 6.0. It will also generate books with up to 20 progenitors cross referenced so there is no duplication of individuals.This program also has a multitude of options and can also deal with confidential material you do not want printed. (See the GEN-BOOK review in the PC review files for more information.)
   

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