FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ'S)

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1. How do I ... ?
2. Where can I find ... ?
3. Why doesn't ... ?
4. Who is ... ?
5. What is ... ?
6. When is ... ?

How do I ... ?

Question: How do I save and use the GEDCOM files that I can download from each members home page on The Rutledge Family Association?

Answer: The GEDCOM files haves been compressed to save room on our web site into files called EXE files. They are self-extracting files. That means that you do not need any special software to decompress the files once you have downloaded them to your hard drive. Here is how to download the files and use:

In Internet Explorer:
1. RIGHT click on the name of the file that you wish to download (i.e. r3430001.exe)
2. Select "Save Target As"
3. Save the file to the directory or folder of your choice
4. Find the file in the directory or folder in which you saved the file.
5. Double click on the filename that you saved in step 1.
6. Unless you override the path, the file will be saved in c:\gedcoms\rutledge
7. The resulting extraction of the GEDCOM file should produce a file named: filename.ged (where filename is the name of the file, i.e. r3430001.ged)
8. You can now import the GEDCOM (filename.ged) into your preferred genealogy program for viewing as a family group sheet or other display form as provided by your program.

In Netscape:
1. RIGHT click on the name of the file that you wish to download (i.e. r3430001.exe)
2. Select "Save Link As"
3. Save the file to the directory or folder of your choice
4. Find the file in the directory or folder in which you saved the file.
5. Double click on the filename that you saved in step 1.
6. Unless you override the path, the file will be saved in c:\gedcoms\rutledge
7. The resulting extraction of the GEDCOM file should produce a file named: filename.ged (where filename is the name of the file, i.e. r3430001.ged)
8. You can now import the GEDCOM (filename.ged) into your preferred genealogy program for viewing as a family group sheet or other display form as provided by your program.

NOTE: GEDCOM files are Special ASCII text files. They can be viewed and edited with a word processor. However, GEDCOM files are meant to be IMPORTED into a genealogy program such as Ultimate Family Tree or TreeMaker. After they are imported, the information can be viewed, edited, printed, etc. within the genealogy program. The data can often be presented in many different formats, including a family group sheet, pedigree, etc.

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Where can I find ... ?

Question: Where can I find an index or Table of Contents to The Rutledge Family Association Web site?

Answer: There is a text based index to our web site at: http://www.rootsweb/~rutledge/toc.htm. We plan on having a search feature added when that capability is established by our host, Rootsweb Genealogical Data Cooperative.

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Why doesn't ... ?

Question:Why doesn't this work? I followed the instructions you gave in reference to downloading GEDCOMS that were compressed into EXE files. I use both Netscape and Internet Explorer browsers.  I   get  garbage characters when I try to read the  file I create by "Save Link As".  I have had this problem before when I try to read some e-mail attachments of other GEDCOMS.

Answer: FIRST, you must decompress the file. (see below) When you say "read", do you mean that you are opening the GEDCOM with a word processing program? If so, even though a GEDCOM file is an ASCII "text" file, it is NOT designed to be read like a document in a word processor. It IS designed to be IMPORTED into a genealogy program. The genealogy program will then put it into a "readable" format resembling a "family group sheet" or some other form within that program.

DECOMPRESSING THE EXE FILE. Also, after you download the EXE file with Netscape, you MUST FIRST still decompress the file by finding it in the directory/folder where you saved it. You then double click on the file. It will then be decompressed onto your hard drive. The resulting GEDCOM file is now ready to be utilized in a genealogy program by importing.

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Who is ... ?

Question: Who is the sponsor of The Rutledge Family Association Web Site?

Answer: The storage space for our pages are provided by the Rootsweb Genealogical Data Cooperative through donations from Webmasters and other individuals interested in the goals and objectives of the Cooperative. The site is maintained by our Webmaster, John D. Rutledge, a genealogist who has been researching the Rutledge surname for over 33 years. The content of the site is a compilation of material submitted by the members of the Association. Special section contributors include Don Kelly, editor of The Rutledge War Memorial Honors Pages.

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What is ... ?

Question: What are the membership requirements for joining The Rutledge Family Association?

Answer: The membership requirements and an application form can be found online. Please join us today in sharing your Rutledge ancestry with us.

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When is ... ?

Question: When is the next online meeting of Association members?

Answer: The schedule for our online meeting can be found in the LiveChat! section. It is updated on a weekly basis. Be sure and join us for some very interesting formal and informal discussions.

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