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Name Editor
for
Personal Ancestral File (tm)
by
Frank E. Hutchison
Personal Ancestral File and PAF are registered trademarks of the
Corporation of the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-Day
Saints. ╔══════════════════════════════════╗
║ ║
║ Name Editor ║
║ for ║
║ Personal Ancestral File ║
║ (NE4PAF) ║
║ by ║
║ Frank E. Hutchison ║
║ ║
╚══════════════════════════════════╝
In the course of acquiring over ten thousand ancestors and
relatives, I discovered that not everyone followed the obvious
rules of always identifying Switzerland as Switzerland or using
the U.S. postal codes for states. Instead I discovered that
there were at least ten (10) ways of spelling the state of
Connecticut and twelve (12) ways of identifying Switzerland, not
to mention all the ways of mangling England. Identifying these
"mistakes" and correcting them one by one was tedious and
time consuming. There is also the "problem" with names typed in
with all uppercase letters, although I wanted the state codes to
be all uppercase. I also wanted the first letter following the
Mc and Mac, a space, a question mark or a comma to be uppercase.
NE4PAF will make these changes wholesale.
Name Editor for Personal Ancestral File (PAF) is a program
that will allow you to edit the name file (NAME2.DAT) of Personal
Ancestral File (tm), version 2.2. It will automatically place
all names in lowercase letters, captialize the first letter of the
name, and also capitalize the first letter to follow Mc, Mac,
a space, or the characters: (, ), [, ], /, the question mark, the
comma, the period, the minus sign, the quote (") or the apostrophe
('), but it will not capitalize the possessive "s". In addition,
when individual names are changed, all related changes to the
individual (INDIV2.DAT) or marriage (MARR2.DAT) files will be
performed, as necessary. In addition to editing a name, you can
also delete all references to that name. This is useful when some-
one has put USA in a database and you want the USA removed.
WHICH VERSION TO USE?
---------------------
Name Editor comes in two versions which work only with PAF
databases containing INDIV2.DAT, MARR2.DAT, and NAME2.DAT. Other
files of PAF are not used nor are GEDCOM files. There are two
versions of NE4PAF because the amount of memory used to store
names is limited. If your NAME2.DAT file is less than 62,000
bytes in size (as shown by the DIR command), then you should use
NE4PAFxA.EXE. If your NAME2.DAT file is greater than 62,000
bytes in size or if you get an "out of string space" error when
running NE4PAFxA.EXE, then you should use NE4PAFxB.EXE.
NE4PAFxB.EXE uses disk space in place of memory for storage of
the names and is therefore slower. NE4PAF2B.EXE was very slow,
but later versions have new algorithms which improve performance
significantly by a factor of 60 or better.
There are many ways of data becoming corrupted. NE4PAF has
many safeguards. However, BEFORE STARTING NE4PAF, BE SURE YOU
HAVE MADE A BACK-UP OF YOUR PAF DATA. NE4PAF will rearrange the
INDIV2.DAT, MARR2.DAT, and NAME2.DAT files. Once this is done,
it can not be undone. The only way to be sure you never lose any
data is to keep current back-ups. You should be doing this as
a regular course of action anyway. In addition, run the PAF Family
Records Check (FRCHK) program after using NE4PAF to insure that all
records are okay.
To use NE4PAF, you must know where the PAF database is
located (C:\PAF\DATA, B:, etc.). NE4PAF can be told the location
in one of two ways: On the command line or it will ask if no
location is specified on the command line.
To start NE4PAF, type at the prompt either
C:\>NE4PAFxx
or
C:\>NE4PAFxx [location]
where the xx indicates the version number and [location]
indicates the location of the PAF data files, which is optional.
The first screen to appear is a warning screen that asks if
you have made a back-up or are using a copy. Pushing the <F1>
will continue the program. Any other key will abort the program.
Next, The title screen will appear. If the [location] was
not specified on the command line, then NE4PAF asks
Where is the PAF database located?
1. A:
2. B:
3. C:\PAF\DATA
4. Other
Menu selection is made by selecting the menu number or using the
up and down arrow keys and hitting the <Enter> key.
The first three choices will encompass probably 90% of the
locations of PAF databases. If yours is not one of the first
three choices, then select option 4. Just below the above menu
will be displayed: Location of PAF database:
You can type in the path to the database. The NE4PAF does NOT
check this information. If it is wrong, an error message will
be displayed and you will need to restart the program.
NE4PAF will next display the notices:
Gathering Information
Search each individual and count the names
Search the marriages and count the names
Alphabetizing the names
Progress bars will show how far along you are when counting and
alphabetizing names.
VIEWING NAMES
-------------
Directly following the alphabetizing of the names, the first
eighty (80) names in alphabetical order will be displayed along
with the number of times each name was found in the individual
and marriage files. To see the next "page" of names, hit the
<Page Down> key and the next eighty (80) names in alphabetical
order will appear. Hitting <Page Up> will take you to the
previous "page" of names. Hitting the <Home> key will return you
to the beginning of the alphabetical list while <End> will take
you to the end.
EDITING A NAME
--------------
To edit a name, use the arrow keys to highlight the desired
name and hit the <Enter> key. This will cause a window to appear
on top of the screen which shows the present spelling of the
name, the count found for that name and a space for the new
spelling to be entered. If the new spelling is unique, then it
will replace the old spelling in the NAME2.DAT file and be used
every place where the old spelling was used. If the new spelling
matches an existing name, then the old spelling will remain in
the NAME2.DAT file, but the matching name will replace the old
spelling in the individual and marriage files.
If you decide you don't want to edit a name once you have hit
the <Enter> key, just hit the <Enter> key again before you enter
any other character. You will be returned to the list of names.
With Version 4, you have the additional capability to delete
all references to a specific name. The command for doing this is
the combination <Ctrl>-<F10> (Hold down the <Ctrl> key and, WHILE
STILL HOLDING THE <Ctrl> KEY DOWN, press the <F10> key). The
window will appear with the name, the words "Deleting name" in
blinking letters, and a count of then number of times the name
appears in the database. There is no verification step (i.e., "Do
you REALLY want to delete this name?") because the key combination
requires a conscious effort to make. The key combination was
choosen for this very reason. No one should be able to do <Ctrl>-
<F10> "accidently."
To illustrate what happens, consider the following NAME2.DAT
file of three (3) names:
California 45
Switz. 34
Switzerland 78
To convert the complete state name to the postal codes, highlight
California and hit the <Enter> key. The window appears and shows
California as the old name, its count (45), and space for the new
spelling. You enter CA and hit the <Enter> key to signify that
you are done entering the new spelling. Since CA is not in the
file, CA will replace California:
CA 45
Switz. 34
Switzerland 78
Next, to change the abbreviation for Switzerland, highlight
Switz., hit <Enter>, and type in Switzerland for the new
spelling. Switzerland is also in the NAME2.DAT file, therefore,
it's a matched name. NE4PAF will display
Switz.-34 (Note the minus sign!)
indicating that Switz. has been selected for replacement or
elimination. All the changes are stored in a file called
CHANGES.LST in the same directory as the NAME2.DAT file. All the
changes will be made later.
When you are finished editing the names hit <Esc> to
continue with the program.
NE4PAF will now go though the individual (INDIV2.DAT) and
marriage (MARR2.DAT) files and replace Switz. with Switzerland, as
well as all the other replacements and eliminations you selected.
(This is where the changes recorded in CHANGES.LST are used.)
Following the re-alphabetize the names, NE4PAF will re-
establish the right and left links in the NAME2.DAT file and create
the new NAME2.DAT file, then clear the screen, remove any temporary
files and end.
Note: If you hit the <Enter> key by accident and get the Edit
window when you don't want it, hit <Enter> before entering any
characters. This will remove the Edit window without changing
the name.
Note: If you hit the <Esc> key without editing any names, then
your NAME2.DAT file is converted but your INDIV2.DAT and
MARR2.DAT files will not be changed.Some thoughts on using NE4PAF:
This is just a few thoughts that you should think about BEFORE
you change the spelling of a name and some facts about the use of
NE4PAF:
1. There are some names which are used for both states,
counties, and even persons. Virginia is a good example.
I have ancestors which were named Virginia. Do I want to
replace all Virginias with the postal abbreviation? At
present, there is no way that NE4PAF will distinguish
between a Virginia in a person's name and a Virginia in
a place name. Utah can be a state or a county in the
same state. So think very carefully before you change a
state name to its abbreviation.
2. It has been suggested that WHERE the name is changed be
made an option. This feature is not available YET
because there are many different ways that people record
place names. For example, a friend of mine puts the
smallest division of land known in the first place name
for each event. If all that is known is the state, that
goes in the first place rather than the third as
suggested by the PAF manual. There are some other
technical details that need to be worked out as well
before this feature can be added.
3. NE4PAF rebuilds the tree within the NAME2.DAT file. As
a result, there will usually be a new tree which has
fewer levels as measured by FRCHK. This will cause PAF
to be a little more efficient when searching for names.
The reason for the difference is that PAF addes names to
the tree as they are added to the database. It is
possible that using this method, the tree could have a
many levels as there are names.
4. The ability to choose which rules of capitalization is a
feature that is still up for debate. Other than the Mc
and Mac rule, there doesn't seem to be must interest.
5. NE4PAF5B, on a 386Sx machine, on a PAF database of
approximately 15,000 individuals, 7,000 names and 4500
marriages, will gather information, alphabetize and
display the first page of names within 15 minutes. You
can use this to give you an idea of how fast the "B"
version will be for you.VERSIONS
--------
Version A (NE4PAF1A and NE4PAF2A): The original released version
(14 Dec 1992).
Version B (NE4PAF1B and NE4PAF2B): Corrects a bug in version A,
released 30 Dec 1992.
Version 3.0 (NE4PAF3A and NE4PAF3B): Improves the speed of oper-
ation for editing large data-
bases. Also, the capitalization
rules have been improved.
Changed version numbering
system. Released 21 Jan 1993.
Version 4.0 (NE4PAF4A and NE4PAF4B): Added more rules for capital-
ization. Added capability to
delete references to a specific
name. Cleaned up the video
display routines. Released 6
Feb 1993.
Version 4.1 (NE4PAF4A and NE4PAF4B): Eliminated a minor bug when a
name has a trailing space in
the NAME2.DAT file. Released 6
Mar 1993.
Version 5.0 (NE4PAF5A and NE4PAF5B): Improves the speed of
operation. Works with
monochrome monitors (earlier
versions didn't). Mouse
capability in the menus was
removed. Performs the actions
on INDIV2.DAT and MARR2.DAT
after all the changes have been
identified. Released 17 April
1993.
Version 5.1 (NE4PAF5A and NE4PAF5B): Corrects errors in handling
name changes that go to the
beginnning or end of the
aalphabetized list. Also error
in name order corrected.REGISTRATION
------------
If you use Name Editor for Personal Ancestral File (NE4PAF)
you are asked to register with me. The cost is ten dollars
($10.00). This will (1) increase my high regard for you, (2)
encourage me to improve the program, (3) allow me to inform you
of improvements, (4) allow me to notify you in the event that a
serious problem with NE4PAF is discovered, and (5) convince my
wife that I'm not just playing with the computer.
Personal Ancestral File and PAF are registered trademarks of the
Corporation of the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-Day Saints.
All rights to NE4PAF and its accompanying files are reserved.
NE4PAF may be distributed and used only in accordance with the
provisions contained herein. Comments, problem reports,
suggestions for improvements and registration are welcomed and
may be sent to:
Address: Frank E. Hutchison
Qtrs D, Mason Row
Yorktown, VA 23690
Phone: (804)887-0290 between 6:00 and 9:00 pm Eastern
I also monitor the GENSOFT echo on the Fidonet for messages to
Frank Hutchison. (Please note the spelling.) ╔══════════════════════════════════╗
║ ║
║ Name Editor ║
║ for ║
║ Personal Ancestral File ║
║ (NE4PAF) ║
║ by ║
║ Frank E. Hutchison ║
║ ║
╚══════════════════════════════════╝
REGISTRATION FORM
Surname: _____________________ Given1: _____________________
Given2: ______________________ Given3: _____________________
Address1: __________________________________________
Address2: __________________________________________
City: _____________________________________________
State: __________ Zip Code: ________________
Phone: (_____) ________--_______________
Comments/Suggestions/Problem Report:
Mail to: Frank E. Hutchison
Qtrs D, Mason Row
Yorktown, VA 23690