Genealogy Forum UK

Anyone used the database program in Open Office? It looks like it may be of use for genealogy, but I'm not sure how to go about it. I'm new to Open Office generally, having always had microsoft's programs before. (Just bought a new PC, so getting to grips with Windows 8!!!)

ive used open office before and is compatible with windows not used it for a while though

I've not used it but there's no reason why it shouldn't be used. Some, if not most, of the genealogy programmes have the ability to download information to .txt or .csv which can be readily added to databases.

SRD wrote:I've not used it but there's no reason why it shouldn't be used. Some, if not most, of the genealogy programmes have the ability to download information to .txt or .csv which can be readily added to databases.

Question is how to go about it??
Their "word" program seems easy enough, but I've never tried databases!

Depends what you need to use it for I suppose. I just keep all my "families" in Rootsmagic and all my extra marriages, baptisms, buriels etc in Excel.

snoopysue wrote:Question is how to go about it??
Their "word" program seems easy enough, but I've never tried databases!

Databases are usually like large spreadsheets but with fixed areas for data. Family trees can be downloaded as .txt files or as .csv (comma separated values) then loaded onto a database. It would then look like a large grid with columns dedicated to info type, e.g. Forename, Surname, D.o.B. etc. and rows dedicated to individual records e.g. Jim, Smith, 1/1/1900 etc.
You would have to go to 'Help' to find more detail on how to use that particular database.

You need to convert the Gedcom file into a database or spreadsheet file. Fortunately there is a nice free application for this, called GEDxlate from GedMagic website. http://www.gedmagic.com/GEDxlate.htm

AndrewA wrote:You need to convert the Gedcom file into a database or spreadsheet file. Fortunately there is a nice free application for this, called GEDxlate from GedMagic website. http://www.gedmagic.com/GEDxlate.htm

Thanks Andrew, I give it a go!