I am new to FTM, just using FTM2008RC1 at moment before deciding to buy.

QUESTION:
I would like to know how other users link a source to Person Notes. There doesn't seem to be any way to do this.

As a work around I can create a "Note" Fact (i.e., a new Fact titled "Note") to which I can attach any sources, but of course this just gives me a list of sources that are generally associated with the the overall Note.

Alternatively, I can manually add a source in brackets after each bit of info in the person's note area. But, again, this is not entirely satisfactory.

Comments or suggestions, please.

Thanks.

Chuck.

Chuck,

I type the Citation directly into the Notes. Reason: I have a number of notes within that Notes field from many sources. Typing the Citation directly into the Notes makes the reference between the specific piece of the note to its source.

You can put multiple Citations on other FACTs and can have multiple FACTs for the same FACT Name. So you know which piece of information came from a specific source.

Does that help?

Russ

It's easy to forget that you have placed a lot of information in the Notes Window. I created a new fact called "See Additional Notes" that pops up when I view the facts list. Then in its "Place or Description" field (don't ask me why it's called that) I put information such as "Yes - obit" or "Yes - military service." Then the "See Additional Notes" fact can be sourced just like any other fact. - Anne

Anne,

I rarely "print" FACTs other then the ones that show up on reports. I, most of the time, Print my Notes. The real stories are there. So, I don't have to remember where I have notes. But the way, the notes show up anytime you look at an Individual.

Russ

Anne & Russ,

Thank you for confirming that these are the only choices. I suspected as much, but as a new user thought I might have missed something obvious. I'm surprised and not surprised that sources can't be attached internally to notes (i.e., the specific parts of the note to which it applies). I don't think any of the current genealogy programs allow this. But, when you think about it, this should be such a basic feature they should all have it.

In any case, thanks for clarifying.

Chuck.

Chuck,

I look at this issue this way.

I enter many notes from many sources. If the Notes FIELD (which is really is, a really large field) and you put a Citation (CTRL+S) on that Note Field, how would the program or the use know which Citation goes with with piece of information within that Note Field.

That is why I enter (Copy/Page as much as possible) Citation information into the Notes Field with the Notes that are there.

Only a suggestion.

Russ

Chuck,
Did you ever find a solution to your issue of linking sources to items within person notes? In Generations8 (which is unfortunately no longer supported) I set up all my notes with sources but I now find I cannot import these sources into person notes - the thought of having to recheck and source over 5,000 people's personal notes is killing me!
If you've had any luck solving this problem I'd be very interested to hear about it.
Regards
Niamh

Niamh,

Within the Family Tree Maker, current versions back, you need to Copy/Paste or Type in Source information into the Notes section. You can not link Source information into the Notes field.

I don't know about your notes, but my notes have many sources, so the Notes field can't have a source OR you wouldn't be able to identify what piece of the Notes was from what source. So the way to put source information into the notes is by Pasting or Typing.

You also have be be consistent as to where you put the source information, at the beginning or end of the text within the notes.

Russ

Russ,
Thanks for your reply. I was afraid that copying and pasting was the only option. I have a sources list of about 450 at the moment and like you my notes are peppered with citations. I'll have to think more about the task before I face into it.
Regards
Niamh