PLEASE ENTIRELY DISREGARD. i HAVE FOUND THE ANSWER AFTER FURTHER EXPERIMENTATION.Have not used my RM8 for a few years so I’m rusty. I’ve added a new tree to an existing database and now wish to copy that tree into its own RM8 database. How do I do this? Is it as simple as extracting a gedcom and then creating a new database and importing the gedcom into it? Will it contain all the media associated with the tree on the original database? When I follow the menu choices for extracting a gedcom, I mark the root person and then it provides options that I do not fully understand. In my feeble mind, a tree means a person and ALL other people in the database with whom that person is related, but I don’t see an option that uses that language. And if I want all generations why does it ask me to specify how many? Should I just increment the generations counter to the highest possible value beyond what I count when I count the gens in his pedigree view? Best choices I see (because it doesn’t seem to use the word TREE) is either“Ancestors and all descendants of ancestors” or Ancestors and all collateral lines” but I have no idea what a collateral line is.
And should this be a separate question? Once i complete this task, can I backup that new database and send the backup file to a family member with instructions on how to download a FREE copy of the latest RM and restore that RM8 backup to it? And in line with that, if I upgrade to RM11, will I be able to easily OPEN/Convert my RM8 databases on the RM11 platform?
the answer is simply yes but you should know that most versions RM8-R10 will be converted quite easily but if its converted and file is replaced /overwritten it would not be open in previous version(s). So what most people do is to copy file (via OS Windows File explorer) to a new folder (called RM11 or your pref) then open that file in RM11 its will then convert.)
I have folders for RM7, RM8, RM10 & RM11 – So if for some reason I need open in previous program version I can do so.
In genealogy, a collateral line refers to people who share a common ancestor with you but are not your direct ancestors or direct descendants. However, some software may put some filters or restrictions
from AI
Who is in a Collateral Line?
Collateral relatives are the “extended” family members who belong to the same bloodline but occupy different branches. Examples include:
Siblings (You share parents, but they aren’t your ancestors).
Aunts and Uncles (You share grandparents).
Cousins of any degree (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.).
Nieces and Nephews.
Why Collateral Lines Matter
Beginning genealogists often make the mistake of only “climbing the trunk” (looking for great-great-grandparents). However, professional researchers heavily rely on collateral research for several reasons:
Breaking Through “Brick Walls”: If your 3rd great-grandfather’s records were destroyed in a fire, his brother’s pension file or obituary might contain the parents’ names you’ve been looking for.
DNA Matching: When you take a DNA test, almost all of your matches are collateral relatives. Mapping how you relate to a 3rd cousin is often the only way to prove a shared ancestor from the 1800s.
Cluster Research (FAN Club): People in the past traveled in groups. Your ancestor’s brother-in-law or cousin might have been the one who signed the land deed or moved to a new state first, providing the paper trail your direct ancestor lacked.
@kevync1985 I also asked A I what collateral lines meant and basically got the same answer as you did-- I even specifically asked if collateral lines would include your sis-in laws/ brother-in–laws and their relatives
Answer No. Collateral lines do not include spouses or the spouses’ relatives. They include only the blood relatives who branch off from your direct line. What is included in collateral lines Collateral relatives are people who share a common ancestor by blood with you but are not in your direct parent‑child chain.
great BUT I tried it 3 times to be sure I got the same results–used myself as the person I dragged and as you can see I do have collateral lines marked
Results abt half of my database was copied INCLUDING all the ancestors of my brother-in-laws and sister-laws ( some going back 5 generation) and all their descendants–There is ABSOLUTELY NO CONNECTION between my lines and any of my in-laws lines-- also included was all the ancestors and descendants of MY GREAT UNCLE-IN-LAW’s step-siblings ( actually they weren’t even step-siblings-- they all shared a common step-mother-different fathers)–only connection is that my great Aunt married him-- just an FYI as to what I got versus what A I said
What is included in collateral lines