* Importing from TMG v4.0

[PaulTheobald]

I'm trying to import from TMG v4.0d.

Direct import only appears to work with .tmg and .pjc files. However, my version of TMG stores its data in .sqz files.

Is there a way to do direct import from these .sqz files, or is the only option to go via GEDCOM?

[tatewise]

Welcome to the FHUG Paul.

Possibly GEDCOM is the only route for a 14 year old version of TMG.

However, I did some Google searching and I am confused by your file types.

According to http://www.tmgtips.com/dbnames2.htm TMG v4.0 uses .TMG files that are accepted by FH.
Later on its says TMG v5.x, v6.x, v7.x, & v8.x uses backup .SQZ files.

So why does your TMG v4.0 have backup .SQZ files that are only used in later versions?
Anyway, backup files would not be a suitable format for migrating to any other program.

[mitcheip]

@Paul,

Its a very long time since I used Version 4 of TMG and I don't recall exactly what extension the projects were but I'm fairly sure they were .pjc files.

I have found the manual I had with version 5, (which is 2003.....) and the .sqz file is a backup file rather than the project file and .sqz is still used in version 9 as the backup format.

In TMG v5 the Default project path is under File->Preferences-> program Options - General. Find that folder and see if it contains any .pjc files with the name of your project.

I have to say I'm not sure how successful any direct import is going to be because there were changes to the database structure of TMG as the versions progressed.

Just read a bit further in the V5 manual and it say that TMG v4.x have a file extension of .tmg

[PaulTheobald]

A big thanks to both of you. Much to my surprise and delight I have successfully performed a direct import from TMG v4.0.

I found that you were right, my TMG v4.0 does have a .TMG data file, but only 1K in size. It also has a lot of other data files but these data files are mixed together in the same folders as the program files so hard to know which ones are important.

I then remembered that the backup format .SQZ is actually just a zipped copy of the data files.

So I unzipped the .SQZ (by renaming it .ZIP) into a new folder. I then pointed FH v6.0.2 at the tiny .TMG file within this folder and lo and behold FH chugged away for a bit and successfully imported the full data set without error. I've even got all the Witnesses and Memos.

Marvellous!

[Claire]

Hi I’m trying to import from TMG silver edition v4. I’ve got the .TMG file and it starts the import but when it finishes there’s no data, no names, nothing in the new project. I’m using windows 11. Can anyone help please?

[tatewise]

See FHUG Knowledge Base > Importing to Family Historian under Import from The Master Genealogist (TMG) where it says:

Import TMG Project does not support TMG V7 or earlier, so install the TMG V9 for US or UK below.

Also, see the linked post that seems to contradict that statement and says TMG V4 is supported.
Try installing TMG V9 which should update the database and allow its import to FH V7.

Maybe others more familiar with TMG V4 options can help.

[Claire]

Yes I read that about v4. I tried it again but importing the .TMG file from within the unzipped folder and it partially worked - the names and relationships appeared but no dates places or notes. So I then tried the Gedcom import and it’s all there but the notes seem a bit confused. I may have to write them in again.

[tatewise]

It sounds like you are not actually running TMG v4.
I suggest you fully restore the zip file and install and run TMG v9.
Then try the direct import that works better than a GEDCOm import.

[Claire]

Well, my version of TMG does say it’s V4. I don’t see the point of paying to upgrade just to transfer to a new program. My version of TMG is running on an old windows 7 computer and it just won’t load on my new windows 11 device. So the point is to transfer 20 years of work to a modern program which can be passed down, unlike TMG which is basically obsolete. But thanks for your help.

[tatewise]

Does your TMG V4 program successfully run the .TMG file you are trying to import into FH?
If you read the advice I referred to you will find the TMG V9 download is a FREE 30-day trial version.
You cannot buy TMG any more.

[DonF]

On the contrary, you can still buy TMG v9.
However, v9 will not read a v4 file (which was a 1999 release) - you would have to use one or maybe two intermediate TMG versions to take the v4 file up through the conversion steps.
This is possible, as installers for these versions are available and could be used on 'trial' basis, but given you seem to have got a partial solution via GEDCOM (which will never do a complete job) in may not be worth the efort.

[tatewise]

Perhaps I should have said you cannot buy TMG from the developer Wholly Genes.
However, as Don says, trial downloads are available for free from such as https://www.rootsusers.org/install.html where all versions from v4 through to v9 are available.

[Claire]

I’ve found a guy through the TMG Faceache group called Harry who has download codes for sale for V9. His instructions for downloading and installing are complicated though and it just seems like too much trouble. That seems to be the only way to buy it . I’ll work with the gedcom way.

[tatewise]

You don't need to buy any codes. The 30-day trial versions are fine for your temporary use of migrating to FH.

The direct import from TMG to FH is far superior to using GEDCOM, so it is worth trying to get that working.
If in the end you give up then you can still fall back to GEDCOM later.

[Jim Byram]

TMG 9 will import a TMG 4 database (either from the TMG 4 database or from a TMG 4 backup file (.SQZ).

You can download the TMG v9 installer from the Wholly Genes forum. It costs nothing and the installation is fully functional for 30 days.

http://www.whollygenes.com/forums201/in ... lers-v905/

If you wish, I'll help you get your TMG 4 data to Family Historian 7. Contact me by way of my FHUG profile and send me your email address.

[tatewise]

Jim, that link does not work and says 403 Forbidden You don't have permission to access that resource.

However, that is not required because (as I said earlier) both the UK and US TMG 30-day trial downloads are in the FHUG Knowledge Base Importing to Family Historian Import from The Master Genealogist (TMG) section.

[Jim Byram]

Mike,

Interesting. I just tested and both the TMG forum link and the download link worked fine for me.

The FHUG link for the download is a better option. Sorry. I missed that.

Claire,

Like I said, just ask and we'll get your data to FH 7.

Jim

[Martin Tolley]

TMG forum access is forbidden if you are outside of the US. A VPN is needed to get access.

[Claire]

Thanks. I downloaded and installed TMG v9 and imported my data and backed it up. I tried a quick import to FH but couldn’t find the TMG file in the unzipped backup folder. I’ll read the instructions and try it again later.

[tatewise]

Claire, don't get involved with TMG backups and unzipping. Browse directly to the TMG Project (.pjc) file such as:
...\Documents\The Master Genealogist v9\Projects\Sample\sample__.pjc for the TMG Sample Project.

( I think the .tmg files were only used by earlier TMG versions. )

See the FH Help > Project Window > New Project Wizard > New Project Wizard - TMG Import Options or online at https://www.family-historian.co.uk/help ... 2-tmg.html.

[Jim Byram]

Claire,

As Mike said, you import to FH from the TMG project in the Projects folder by selecting the .PJC file.

It will help the FH import if you run Optimize / Validate File Integrity / Optimize before importing to FH. These commands are under File / Maintenance in TMG.

Jim

[fhtess65]

Good grief!

TMG forum access is forbidden if you are outside of the US. A VPN is needed to get access.

[Claire]

Big thank you to everyone who’s helped me on this. Finally got my databases transferred to FH ! Hope this also helps anyone else trying to transfer from TMG.

Now I’ve got to learn FH …….