RootsMagic 8:Importing Data

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RootsMagic can import data from a number of different programs, as well as from GEDCOM files. A GEDCOM file can be imported into either a new or existing file, while the other file formats can only be imported into a new blank RootsMagic file.

Import Into New RootsMagic File

To import a file into a new blank RootsMagic file:

1. Create a new RootsMagic file first
2. Select the Files page, then Import Data, then Import from RootsMagic 1-7, GEDCOM, or another Program.
3. Select which genealogy program the file you want to import came from
4. Select the file to import from the Found Files list or by clicking the Browse for File button

How do I open my RootsMagic 7 database or backup in RootsMagic 8

RootsMagic 8 has a different file format and extension for database (.rmtree) and backup (.rmbackup) files. The RootsMagic 7 database (.rmgc) and backup (.rmgb) files cannot be opened inside RootsMagic 8. The RootsMagic 7 database (.rmgc) file needs to be imported into RootsMagic 8 by creating a new file. The new database will then have the correct (.rmtree) file extension.

The RootsMagic 7 backup (.rmgb) needs to be first restored inside of RootsMagic 7 before you can import it into RootsMagic 8. If you no longer have access to RootsMagic 7 you can rename the file extension by right clicking on it, select Rename and then change the extension .rmgb to .zip. As a .zip file you can use the computer's program to extract or unzip the file. The unzipped file will contain the RootsMagic (.rmgc) file that can now import into RootsMagic 8.

Import GEDCOM Into Existing RootsMagic File

To import a GEDCOM file:

1. Select the Files page, then Import Data, then Import from RootsMagic 1-7, GEDCOM, or another Program.
2. Select GEDCOM
3. Select the file to import
4. You can add a new source to tell where the information in the GEDCOM came from – select one of the following:
   1. NO - Do not add an additional source to imported data –
   2. People - Add the following source to every person imported
   3. Events - Add the following source to every event imported
   4. People/Events - Add the following source to every person and event imported

If you chose to add a source, enter the:

• Name of person you received this GEDCOM file from
• Address (or email address) of person you received the file from

If RootsMagic encounters any unfamiliar data in the GEDCOM file, it puts that data in a "list file" on your disk in the same directory as the new database. Every GEDCOM file you import that has a listing file, the listing file will have the same name as the GEDCOM file, except that its extension is .LST.

If you want to link the newly added people to individuals already in the database, use the "Add, Spouse", "Add, Children", or "Add, Parents" commands from the main menu, and indicate the person is in the database.

If the GEDCOM import causes duplicate records of a person, you can use the Merge commands to find and combine duplicates.