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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
General Program Questions
Printing/Report Questions
Ancestral Quest Technical QuestionsInstalling/Registering AQ
General Program Use
Family Links
Working with Database, Backup and GEDCOM Files
Problems
Questions about Incline SoftwareQuestions for LDS
Questions relating to Personal Ancestral File (PAF)
General Program QuestionsIs training available for Ancestral Quest?
Can I use databases created by other genealogy programs in AQ?
Where can I purchase Ancestral Quest?
What is the licensing policy? Am I allowed to install Ancestral Quest onto another one of my computers?
I am upgrading to a new computer. How do I transfer AQ and my data to it?
My computer crashed, and I need to reinstall AQ. How can I do this without paying again?
Which program updates are available for free, and which do I pay for?
How many generations of family history will AQ allow?
How many individuals can I enter with AQ?
What scrapbooking capabilities does AQ provide?
Is AQ available for the Macintosh?
Will Ancestral Quest run on Windows 8 or Windows 7 or Windows Vista?
You have an option to purchase the program on CD rather than download the program--but do I really need the CD?
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| AQ 12.x, AQ 11 and AQ 10 (AQ 2002) |
| Simply go to "Start", then to "Programs", then
to the Ancestral Quest xx (12, 11, or 2002) group,
and select Uninstall. After the main program has been removed, your computer may ask you about removing the Collaboration Support and (if you have versions 12 or 11) the PDF-Exchange driver. If you also want to remove these, you should first respond to the request to remove the Collaboration Support (which will not require you to reboot your machine) and THEN respond to the request to remove the PDF-Exchange driver (which will require you to reboot your machine). |
| AQ 3.0 and earlier |
|
For these versions, there was not an uninstaller. You will need to manually remove the program. (These earlier versions were small -- if you are uncomfortable with these steps, it may be easiest for you to just leave the program on your system -- it will cause no problem to leave it there.) |
| To remove version 2.2 or 3.0 from your system: |
|
| To remove version 2.1 or earlier from your system: |
|
The uninstall utility is not working. How do I manually remove AQ?
If you have tried to use the uninstaller, but have not had any success, you can manually uninstall the program.
First, we will remove the shortcut frm the Start menu:
- Click the Windows Start button, then go to (All) Programs, then point your mouse to the Ancestral Quest xx item that you wish to remove.
- Click the secondary (right) mouse button on that folder of the copy of AQ that you wish to remove.
- From the menu that appears, click on Delete.
- Click Yes, you do want to continue.
Now we will remove the actual program:
- Open up (My) Computer.
- Double click on the C:\ drive to open it, then look for the Program Files folder.
- Double click to open up the Program Files (x86) folder, if you have one, otherwise double click on the Program Files folder.
- Hover your mouse on the Incline Software folder and then click the secondary (right) mouse button once.
- From the menu that appears, click on Delete.
- Click Yes, you do want to send the folder and its contents to the Recycle Bin.
Finally, you will want to remove the shortcut from your Windows Desktop:
- Locate the appropriate Ancestral Quest shortcut on your Desktop.
- Hover your mouse on that shortcut and then click the secondary (right) mouse button once.
- From the menu that appears, click on Delete.
- Click Yes, you want to move the shortcut to the Recycle Bin.
That should take care of it.
Note: There is no way to manually remove the Collaboration feature... but that is not an issue as it doesn't really take up any space on the hard drive. Collaboration has simply made one minor entry into the Windows Registry which will not have any negative impact on the computer or Windows system if it remains.
I am trying to use the free Ancestral Quest Basics program, but it is asking for a Registration Key. How do I use the free version of the program?
When you have not entered a Registration Key, this screen will appear every time that AQ starts up. This allows you to enter the Registration Key (if you have decided to purchase one), or to use the free AQ Basics program.
You can use the free Ancestral Quest Basics program for as long as you wish--there is no time limit. All you need to do is click the button labeled Use Ancestral Quest Basics. See the AQ Versions page for an explanation of the features included in both AQ Basics and the full AQ program.
How do I enter my Registration Key?
After installing Ancestral Quest, every time you run the program, it will prompt you for the version to use (see the screen shot, above). If you choose the Use Ancestral Quest Basics option, you will be able to run AQ for free. If you have purchased the program, you can enter the Registration Key.
If you have purchased a copy of AQ, this key should have been sent to you via e-mail if you ordered through our website, or it should be inside the case which contains the CD, if you purchased a CD from a retail store or from this website.
Once you have purchased the full program and have your Registration Key, you can enter it on this same window, then click the Use Ancestral Quest button.
When typing in the registration key, use all capital letters and be sure to include the hyphens/dashes (-). For further assistance in entering the Registration Key, see the next question and answer, below.
I am entering my Registration Key, but AQ says it is incorrect. What do I do?
Typically, when Ancestral Quest does not accept the key, it is because it has been entered incorrectly.
Please refer to the following suggestions for entering the Registration Key properly:
- Be sure that you have the appropriate Registration Key for the version of Ancestral Quest that is installed. Note that:
- a Registration Key for either version 12.0 or 12.1 will work in AQ versions 11, 12 and 12.1.
- a Registration Key for version 14 will work in AQ versions 11, 12, 12.1, and 14.
- Make sure that in AQ, there is nothing inside the Registration Key entry box before you go to enter the key.
- Be sure that you are entering the entire key with capital letters and the hyphens (-).
- There should be no spaces before, during, or after any of the character sequences in the key.
- The proper sequence of the number of characters to hyphens is 4-2-5-5-3 or XXXX-XX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXX (the letter X represents any character or number)
- Make certain that you are entering the proper characters and numbers. Often times, letters and/or numbers can be mixed up. These characters are not interchangeable, so be sure to enter the proper character.
Some often confused characters include:
- the number 1 and the letter I
- the number 2 and the letter Z
- the number 3 and the number 8
- the number 4 and the number 9
- the number 4 and the letter A
- the number 4 and the letter H
- the number 5 and the letter S
- the number 6 and the letter G
- the number 7 and the letter Z
- the number 8 and the letter B
- the number 8 and the letter S
- the number 0 and the letter O (the number zero is usually more of an oval shape, and the letter O is usually more of a circle shape)
- the letter B and the letter D
- the letter E and the letter F
- the letter M and the letter N
- the letter O and the letter Q
- the letter P and the letter R
- two consecutive letter V characters and a single letter W (VV vs. W)
- the letter X and the letter Y
- If you have received your Registration Key by way of an on-screen receipt or an e-mail message, and you are good with the mouse, you could just copy and paste the Registration Key.
- Use your mouse to select (highlight) the key (be sure to not select any spaces or punctuation before or after the key, itself)
- Use the Copy command (the Ctrl+c keyboard shortcut is easiest)
- Go into Ancestral Quest where you can enter the Registration Key. This is done in either the Ancestral Quest Registration window that appears when you start the program, or by going to the menu bar and clicking on Help > Register Ancestral Quest.
- Click in the box where the Registration Key needs to be entered.
- Use the paste command (again, the Ctrl+v keyboard shortcut is the easiest), to paste in the key.
- Click on the appropriate button -- Activate or Save and Continue or Activate and Continue -- to save the registration key.
- If you receive a message stating that the Registration Key is incorrect, check the key that you have been provided and try entering the key again.
- If you receive a message that you have successfully entered the Registration Key, then you are finished.
When I purchased the program, it said that the book, Line Upon Line - A Beginner's Guide to Genealogy by Margery H. Bell, was included. I have installed AQ, but where do I find that book?
Once Ancestral Quest is installed, you will find Beginner's Guide to Genealogy within the Ancestral Quest Program Group of the Windows Start menu.
You can get to it in this manner:
- Click on the Start button in Windows.
- Point to Programs (or All Programs, depending on your Windows version or settings).
- If you see Incline Software point to that item, otherwise skip this step.
- Point to Ancestral Quest xx (where xx is the version of Ancestral Quest that you have installed).
- Click on Beginner's Guide to Genealogy. The book will open up using the WinHlp32* Help system.
*Note: If you are running Windows Vista or Windows 7, and you have not yet installed the update to run WinHlp32 files, then you will need to do so. You may find details and the links to download the update directly from Microsoft, within the Windows Vista/7 discussion earlier on this page.
General Program Use
The program always starts with the wrong person. How do I change this?
By default, AQ always shows the first person entered (RIN number 1) when a database is opened. You can change this:
- Go to the Tools menu, then to Preferences
- Select the Database tab from the row of tabs
- In the section for "Initial RIN on Startup", you have two choices. Choose "Last Used" to have AQ start up next where you left off. Choose "Use ..." to select a specific person to start with.
- If you choose the "Use ..." option, you can either just type in the RIN number of the person if you know it, and if you don't know it, use the "Search" button to locate the person.
- Once you click on "OK", the next time you start AQ, this option will take effect.
The program always starts with the wrong database. How do I change this?
AQ remembers the last database that was opened when you exit AQ and re-opens that database the next time you run the program. This is by design, as it is expected that you want to work in the same database the next time that you run the program.
Now, lets say you experience this set of events:
- You are in your main database.
- You next open another/older database. You realize that this is not a file you want to see.
- Instead of closing the undesired file, however, you go back to the File menu and -- at the bottom of the menu -- click on your main database. Its window moves in front (but the other/older database is still open, only it is 'hiding' behind your main database) and you continue working in your main database.
- Now, when you are done, you close the Ancestral Quest program. Your main database closes.
- BUT the other/older database now appears on the screen (because it had been underneath your main database window).
- You close AQ.
- Next time you run AQ, it opens the undesired other/older database -- because it was the last database in AQ to be closed. Again, this is by design.. but in this case it is a pain.
To avoid the issue, if you ever open a database that you don't want to see/access, choose File then Close, and only that most recently opened file will close. You will then be back to your previous database, or if not (you are at a gray screen), you can reopen your regular database.
I have more than one database on my hard drive and one on my flash memory drive, but I sometimes forget which one I am working in. Is there a quick, easy way to tell which database that I am using in AQ?
Yes. Within the main Views of Ancestral Quest (Family, Pedigree, Name List and Individual), look at the bottom of the program, in the status bar. Just to the right, you will see the drive letter, sometimes part of the path, and the filename of the current database, with extension.
In this first example, you can see that the database currently being edited is an .aq database file opened from the "c" hard drive. Whereas, in this example, you can see that the database currently being edited is a .paf database file opened from the "e" flash drive.
How do I send a report to a friend or relative?
There are five methods you can use:
- The traditional method is to print the report and send it.
- Select "PDF File" as the destination for your report. AQ will create a PDF file that you can send as an e-mail attachment.
- Select "Text File" as the destination for your report. A simple report in text format can be sent as an e-mail attachment.
- For Book reports, you can select either Rich Text Format (.rtf) or WordPerfect (.wpd) as the destination. This will create a document that can be sent via e-mail.
- Backup your data file and send it to your relative, along with an invitation to download AQ. Your relative can then restore the database to preview reports, and if they register AQ, they can print the reports.
Will Ancestral Quest allow me to enter accented letters and other special characters into the data fields and notes?
Yes. While on the Edit Individual, or Edit Marriage, or Documentation screens, you can tap the F7 function key, or go to Tools > Character Map, to access the Windows Character Map accessory, which you can use to insert those characters.
To use the Character Map, just double-click on the desired character to place it into the Characters to copy section at the bottom of the window. Then click the Copy button, or use the Ctrl+c shortcut, to copy the character to the Windows clipboard. Then, you can close the Character Map (or leave it open if you will be doing more characters, soon), and go into AQ and use Paste (Ctrl+v) to paste the character into your AQ data.
You may notice, as you click once on a character in the Character Map window, that, down in the lower-right corner of the Character Map window, you may see a keyboard shortcut (if that character has one assigned to it -- not all do). In the future, instead of bringing up the Character Map, you can just type in the keyboard shortcut for the desired character.
As an example, the lower case e with acute (é) is entered with the shortcut Alt+0233. Here is the way this keystroke must be entered:
- Hold down the Alt key.
- While that key is down, enter the numbers -- including the zero (0) -- on the Number Pad (the far right end of your standard keyboard).
- When you release the Alt key, the character will appear.
For the characters that you use most often, you can probably memorize this shortcut. For the characters that you use occasionally, you can use the Character Map.
How do I spell-check my notes?
When working on the Notes screen, choose the "Tools" menu and select Spell Check Notes.
If you have a portion of notes highlighted, just that portion will be checked. Otherwise all the notes for this individual or marriage will be checked.
I added a word to the spell check tool by mistake. How do I remove that word?
The word needs to be removed from the dictionary file being used by the spell check tool. Here is the procedure to do this:
- Open the Documentation (Notes) window for anyone on your database.
- You must have a misspelled word in the notes in order for the spell check utility window to appear; if necessary, type in a misspelled word (such as "helllo") to the notes.
- Start the Spell Check utility (either click on Tools > Spell Check Notes or tap the F5 function key on the keyboard).
- At the bottom of the Check Spelling window that appears, click the Dictionaries... button.
- The Dictionaries window now opens. The list of words added to the dictionary will appear in the upper-left area of this screen.
- Click on the word that does not belong here (in other words, it is misspelled here and should not be included in this list of correctly spelled words).
- Click the Delete Word button to the right of this list.
- Repeat steps 6 and 7, as necessary, to remove any other words that do not belong in the list.
- Click Close to close the Dictionaries window.
- Click Cancel to close the Check Spelling window.
- If you had typed in a misspelled word to start this procedure (in step 2), delete that misspelled word form the notes.
- Close the Documentation window (you do not need to save the changes).
When should I run Check/Repair vs. the Database Rebuild?
Check/Repair is the primary method for repairing minor problems with the database. There are times that Check/Repair is unable to fix a problem. Using the "Rebuild Database" button at the bottom of the Check/Repair screen is a last resort method of fixing a database. This will cause reordering of some record types such as citations tied to events.
If you have trouble repairing your database, you should restore the backup you made prior to the attempt to repair it, then try an alternate method of repairing it. The three common methods of repairing a database are:
- Check/Repair
- Rebuild Database
- Use Export to transfer your data to a GEDCOM file, then use Import to read it back into a new database.
On the Quick Start Video Tutorial and in the program Help, it explains the ability to change the Christening to a different birth rite by clicking a down arrow button. On my copy of AQ, I do not see that down arrow button. What is happening?
The Christening field can be changed to a different birth rite when editing Ancestral Quest (.aq) database files. This change is not available when using Personal Ancestral File (.paf) database files. This is due to the limitations of the .paf database structure.
See the FAQ on PAF database files for a more detailed explanation of the limitations and advantages of the .paf database file format.
Family Links
I got the husband and wife reversed. How do I switch them?
This happens when you accidentally assign the wrong sex to a person. When you later add a spouse to that person, AQ automatically assigns the opposite sex to the spouse.
In order to change the sex of an individual, you must unlink them from all marriages. You can later re-link them. The process is really quite simple. We will describe the easiest method:
- Get to the Family view
- Select one of the spouses in the primary position
- Now make one of the children the primary person, placing the reversed spouses in the Mother and Father positions
- Record the RINs of the two spouses, the MRIN of their marriage, and the RIN of the child who is currently in the Primary position
- Right click on each of these two spouses in turn, and choose the "Unlink" option - this will remove them from the marriage, leaving the marriage record otherwise intact
- If either spouse has other marriages, you will need to repeat steps 2 - 5 for the other marriages
- Now edit each of these spouses and change the gender
- Reselect the child from step 3 to be the primary person, verifying that the marriage whose MRIN you recorded in step 4 shows as the marriage of this child's parents
- Click on the "Add Father" space to re-add the father. When you get to the Individual Add screen, select "Search for Existing" and enter the RIN of the father. This will re-link the father to the marriage record as the husband.
- Click on the "Add Mother" space and follow the previous step to add the mother.
I have added children to the wrong parents. How do I correct them?
This is an easy mistake that is easy to correct.
In order to make this correction, you must unlink the children from the incorrect parents, then re-link them to the correct parents. The step-by-step process is described below.
- In the main screen of Ancestral Quest, go to the Family view.
- Position one of the incorrect parents into the primary position (the top-left box) with the other incorrect parent beneath.
- Locate the children that you wish to remove from this relationship and make note of the RINs for those children.
- Click the secondary (right) mouse button on each of these children in turn, and choose the Unlink option - this will remove each child from the current, incorrect parents, but leave their individual records intact.
- Now, position one of the correct parents into the primary position (the top-left box), with the other correct parent beneath.
- Down in the Children box, click on Add Child (or press Ctrl+L) to add a child.
- Within the top-left area of the Add child for... screen that appears, click on Search for Existing Child....
- In the Find Child for... window that opens, enter into the RIN: box the RIN for one of the children that you had removed from the previous marriage, and click OK. The child will now be added to the current, proper parents.
- Repeat steps 6-8, above, as needed until all the children have been added to the correct parents.
When I delete an individual from a marriage link, the word UNKNOWN still remains in the list of spouses. Why?
When you delete an individual from a marriage, the marriage record still exists. Now, however, there is an empty placeholder for the spouse who was just unlinked or deleted. Whenever you display this marriage, AQ will look at that placeholder, and display "Unknown" -- indicating that AQ doesn't know who the spouse is. It is designed as a reminder to the user to locate information on the missing spouse and add the spouse to the marriage, at which point AQ will again "know" who the spouse is.
As long as the marriage record exists, it will show "Unknown" when there is an empty placeholder. If you want the marriage to go away, you need to edit the marriage record and click on the "Delete" button. Then the entire marriage, with any dates, places, sources, notes, as well as the empty placeholder, will all go away. Then you won't see "Unknown" anymore.
Note: If there are any children attached to the marriage record containing an "Unknown" spouse, they will be unlinked from the existing spouse when you delete that marriage record. Make note of the RINs of any children attached to the marriage with the Unknown spouse prior to deleting that marriage record. Then, you can access the correct marriage, and choose the "Add Child..." option, select "Search for Existing Child," then enter the RIN for the child. Repeat this for each child that you need to re-link to the proper marriage.
How do I add additional parents?
On the Family view, notice the "Add'l Par/Rel" button between the parents of the primary person. If you click on this button, you will be able to add an additional set of parents to the person. This button is only available if you have already entered a first set of parents. Other methods to achieve the same result include:
- Go to the Add menu, then click on Parents
- Select the second set of parents as the primary couple on the Family screen. Then click on "Add Child". When you get to the "Add Child..." screen, use the "Search for Existing Child" button to add this person as a child to this second set of parents.
How do I select another set of parents?
With the person in the Primary position of the Family screen, use the "Add'l Par/Rel" button to view all the parents and relationship types for this person. You can also go the Edit menu and select Parent Links. Highlight the set of parents you wish to see and click on 'OK'. If you wish to permanently set this set of parents as the default parents for this child, use the "Make Primary" button.
On my Family view, I see the Relationship Indicators (Father, Grandfather, etc.), but they are not displaying the correct relations. How do I fix that?
Sometimes the Relationship Indicators get confused. In order to fix it, you just need to have them re-calculated.
- From the main screen of AQ, go to the menu bar and choose Tools, then Relationship Indicators.
- Click the box labeled Show Relationships in Family View to remove the checkmark. Click OK.
- Now, again, go to the menu bar and choose Tools, then Relationship Indicators.
- Click the box labeled Show Relationships in Family View to insert the checkmark. Click OK.
- A window will appear to inform you that the relationship indicators have been updated. Click OK.
Working with Database, Backup and GEDCOM Files
How do I remove extra databases?
Once you have identified data files that you no longer need, you can delete them in either of two ways:
- Go to the File menu, then to Delete. This will bring up a typical Windows browse window that will let you select a file to remove. Once you highlight a filename, you can click on the "Delete" button to remove it. USE THIS FEATURE WITH GREAT CAUTION! You do not want to delete a database you have any doubts about. Note that you cannot delete the file you currently have open -- you must first close a file before you can delete it.
- You can use "My Computer" to locate the extraneous file and delete it. The same cautions apply as above.
I just imported a GEDCOM file and realized I shouldn't have. How do I undo this import?
The first time you import a GEDCOM file into an existing database, AQ will automatically make a temporary backup file of your database before proceeding. This file will have the name of your database file, but will have an extension of ".tqz". On subsequent imports into this file, AQ will ask if you want to replace this temporary backup before importing.
If you want to restore your database to the state prior to the import, simply restore from this ".tqz" file. To do this, close your file, then go to "File|Restore". Look for the .tqz file and restore it.
How do I backup my data file to a CD?
Depending on your CD writer and the software you have installed, you may be able to directly backup to the CD, or you might have to do a two-step backup. If you get any kind of error message while trying to backup directly to the CD, then try this procedure:
- Backup your file to your hard drive (usually 'C:'). When you do this, pay attention to the folder you are saving to, and the name of the backup file.
- Exit AQ.
- Use the method you use to transfer other files to the CD to copy this backup file from its location on the C: drive to your CD.
I am trying to backup my data file to a flash drive, but I receive a DynaZIP error. How do I get the database backed up to the flash drive?
There was an issue when performing a backup directly to a flash memory drive or other removable drive that has a capacity of two gigabytes (2GB) or larger. This has been resolved with the release of Ancestral Quest 12.1 build 21, released on 9/18/2009. If you have AQ 12.1 build 21 or later (including AQ 14), this issue is resolved.
If you have an earlier version of AQ, there is a work-around that will involve a two-step backup routine. Please follow this procedure:
- Backup your file to your hard drive (usually 'C:'). When you do this, pay attention to the folder in which you are saving the file, as well as the name of the backup file.
- Use (My) Computer, or another preferred method, to copy the backup file that you had just created onto the desired flash or removable drive.
Problems
Within the Pedigree view of Ancestral Quest, I have the links to Ancestry.com turned on. When I click on one of the Trees or Records items, I am presented with a message that states, "We're sorry. The page you tried to access is no longer available." What is going on?
When you click on any of these links, Ancestral Quest lets Ancestry.com know that you would like to see the records or trees referenced by the links. It is up to Ancestry.com to then display their data to you. Once you click on one of those links, you are no longer working with Ancestral Quest, you are now working with Ancestry.com. Ancestral Quest has no control over what Ancestry.com will show you.
Update! 5-22-10 It is our understanding that Ancestry.com made some changes around April 22, 2010 that caused this page to be removed from their site. As of May 21, 2010, Ancestry.com seems to have reinstated the page, as this feature seems to work normally.
If you have not used this feature, and would like to try it, start Ancestral Quest, make sure you are on the Pedigree view, then open the "View" menu. Finally, make sure that the Ancestry.com Links option is checked. AQ will search Ancestry.com for information on any of the names shown, and give you a count of records and trees that Ancestry.com indicates you could look at. Click on one of these numbers to use this feature. If you are an Ancestry.com subscriber, you will have access to these trees and records. If not, you may have an option to try a free trial of Ancestry.com.
AQ is suddenly giving warnings or acting like something is wrong. What do I do?
First, make a backup of the file. Do NOT overwrite an older backup. For the purpose of this backup, it is best to backup to your hard drive (typically drive "C:") rather than to floppy disks.
Go to the "Internet" menu, then "Check for Latest AQ Release". If there is a newer build of your version, you should upgrade to get the latest build of your version of AQ.
With a backup made, and having the latest available version of AQ, go to the Tools menu, then to "Database Check/Repair". Set the option for "Check and Repair" and run the check. Most problems are caused by an internal database problem, and most of these can be fixed by running this tool. (The strongly worded messages about restoring from a previous backup are there in case the amount of damage is unusually high -- it should be ignored in most cases.)
If this doesn't resolve the problem, you should search for the "ancquest.ini" file that stores your user preferences. Remove or rename this file. AQ will then act like you are using it for the first time.
If this doesn't solve the problem, contact Incline Software by one of the methods given in the contacts page.
I have encountered what I think may be a bug in the program. What do I do?
- Read the FAQs on Check/Repair and Rebuilding a database. The 'bug' may be caused by minor problems in your database that can be solved by using these tools.
- If the problem persists, document the nature of the problem and the typical steps that cause the problem, then contact Incline Software by one of the methods given in the contacts page.
I'm having trouble reading the information on the screen. Can I adjust the fonts and colors?
Yes. Go to the Tools menu, then to Preferences. In the "General" tab, you will find a button to adjust the colors. In the "Fonts" tab, you will be able to adjust the font type and size for the Pedigree and Family views. Usually a slight adjustment to the font size can make a large difference in the readability of your screen.
I entered the wrong place into a record. Now, whenever I go to enter the correct place, the incorrect place name appears. How do I fix this?
Within Ancestral Quest, go to the menu bar and select Edit, then Quick Entry Place List.
The Edit Quick Entry Place List window will open. Scroll through the list, as needed, to locate the incorrect place. Click on the desired place to select it. At the bottom of the window:
- click the Delete Name button to remove this place from the list. This is the best choice if you have already entered the correct place and it appears within the list.
- click the Edit... button to change the incorrect place to the correct place name. This is the best choice if you have not yet entered the correct place and it does not appear within the list.
Once the entries have been deleted or edited, click the Close button to close this window.
I entered the wrong place into a record. I have corrected that record, and have removed that place name from the Quick Entry Place List. But I still see the wrong name appear when I try to enter the correct place name. How do I fix this?
Here is what typically has happened in such a case. While you have successfully removed the full place name (such as Quency, California), from the Quick Entry Place List, the Single Place name (Quency) still exists in the database. You need to remove the incorrectly spelled name from the Single Place name list, as well:
Note: In order for this fix to work, you will need to have the incorrect spelling of the place entered into a place field of at least one record.
- From the Ancestral Quest menu bar, select Edit then Replace Names/Dates/Places....
- At the top of the window, within the Select the type of data to replace: list, click on Single Place Names.
- Down in the Find What: box, click your mouse and type in the incorrectly spelled place name (in our example, Quency). As you begin to type, the word may fill in for you - just be sure that this is the name that you no longer want to appear in your database.
- Next, click your mouse in the Replace With: box,and type in the correctly spelled place name (in our example, Quincy). Again, as you begin to type, the word may fill in for you - just be sure that this is the name that you do want to keep in your database.
- Make sure that the checkmark appears in the box labeled Delete the replaced value from the quick entry list.
- Click the Replace button.
- The Confirm Replace dialog box will appear, displaying the record in which the Find text is located. You are asked if you wish to replace the existing, incorrect place name with the new place name. Click the Yes to All button. The replacements will be made and the dialog box will close.
- Back in the Replace Names/Dates/Places window, click Done.
- The misspelled place name should no longer appear when you go to enter the correct place name.
Note: There is a rare case when, after completing the above procedure, the issue may still occur. To remedy the problem in such a case, you will need to back up your database, then either:
- Go to Tools then Database Check/Repair... and click the Rebuild Database button (be sure to give the new database a slightly different name than the existing database)... or
- Export the entire database to a GEDCOM file, then import that GEDCOM file into a new database.
Whenever I go to view the notes (Documentation window) for someone, Ancestral Quest freezes. How do I fix that?
The Documentation window is a dialog box that you can reposition and resize. Sometimes, it can be positioned so far that it can be moved off the screen. If you later access the Documentation window, and it comes up off the viewable screen, it will appear as though AQ has locked up, because you cannot do anything in the program while the dialog box is open.
One way to verify that this truly is the issue, is to open the notes for someone --the dialog box will not appear-- then tap the Escape key to see if you regain control of the computer; you'll be back to whatever screen you were working on before you invoked the documentation screen. If you do regain control, then this is likely the problem that you are experiencing.
To resolve this issue, you will need to move the Documentation dialog box back into view. Please follow these steps:
- Open the Documentation screen for someone in your database. Wait a moment for the info on the screen to populate (even though you can't see it, this is taking place).
- Next, using the keyboard, hold down the Alt key as you tap the Spacebar once (then release the Alt key). A menu will appear on your screen.
- Tap the letter m key on the keyboard to select the Move option. You will see a four-headed arrow on the screen.
- To the right of the main typing keys on your keyboard, tap the Down Arrow key once.
- Move your mouse around, and you should see the screen come into view at some point. Position the mouse so you can see the whole window.
- Click the mouse button once, to set the window into place.
When I open the Search for Individual window, the third column (typically displaying the birth year) does not appear on my screen.
The fonts on the main Family screen are way too big.
Why is this happening?
This issue is usually caused by the Windows setting for Font Size/DPI, which is adjustable on Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP systems. This must have been changed to enable larger fonts. The result, however, is that it causes some displays of information within AQ to be 'pushed out of view,' or in the case of the Family Screen, appear too big.
Now, correcting this will change the appearance of all fonts --and everything-- in all programs and windows from how they presently appear, and it will make your icons appear smaller. Once you make this change, you can then adjust your Windows screen resolution (or fonts in individual programs) to make them bigger, as desired (and that change should not affect the display of birth dates in AQ). By the way, the larger font setting that causes this issue is not the default setting within Windows, so it is uncertain why this adjustment has been initiated on some computers, unless the computer manufacturer had changed it.
Before proceeding, please make sure that any open documents are saved and then close all programs, as you will likely need to restart your computer during this procedure. Here are the steps to resolve this:
Windows 7:
- In a blank area of the Windows 7 Desktop, click the secondary (right) mouse button once. Click on Personalize.
- In the window that appears, within the panel on the left, near the bottom under the heading, See Also, click on Display.
- In the main part of the window, you will see that your screen is probably set to either Medium-125% or Larger-150%.
- Click on Smaller-100% (default), and then click Apply.
- You will be prompted that you need to log off in order to apply the changes. Click Log off now to proceed.
- Once the computer has logged off, you can log back in again. You should see that fonts are smaller. Run Ancestral Quest and you should now see the birth dates within the Search for Individual window and the fonts on the Family Screen will be more normal. See the steps, below, for Changing the Windows Screen Resolution after making this DPI change.
Windows Vista:
- In a blank area of the Windows Vista Desktop, click the secondary (right) mouse button once. Click on Personalize.
- In the window that appears, within the panel on the left, near the top, click on Adjust font size (DPI).
- Click Continue when Windows needs your permission to continue.
- You most likely see that Larger Scale (120 DPI) is currently selected.
- Click on Default Scale (96 DPI), and then click OK.
- You will be prompted to restart the computer. Proceed with the restart.
- Once the computer has rebooted and Windows has fully loaded, you should see that fonts are smaller. Run Ancestral Quest and you should now see the birth dates within the Search for Individual window and the fonts on the Family Screen will be more normal. See the steps, below, for Changing the Windows Screen Resolution after making this DPI change.
Windows XP:
- In a blank area of the Windows XP Desktop, click the secondary (right) mouse button once. Click on Properties.
- In the Display Properties dialog box that appears, near the top, click on the Settings tab.
- In the lower part of the screen, click the Advanced button.
- In the Display section, notice the DPI setting. You most likely have Larger Size (120 DPI) currently selected.
- Click the drop down arrow button, and from the list choose Normal Size (96 DPI), and then click OK.
- You may be prompted to restart the computer. Proceed with the restart.
- Once the computer has rebooted and Windows has fully loaded, you should see that fonts are smaller. Run Ancestral Quest and you should now see the birth dates within the Search for Individual window and the fonts on the Family Screen will be more normal. See the steps, below, for Changing the Windows Screen Resolution after making this DPI change.
Change the Windows Screen Resolution
Because the Font Size (DPI) adjustment is a system-wide change, it will affect the size of fonts and icons throughout Windows and your other programs. So, if things appear too small to your liking, you may wish to change the screen resolution so that everything gets bigger, again. When you make the following change to the screen resolution, it will not adversely affect the AQ screens.
- Go to the Windows Desktop
- Click the Secondary (right) mouse button once
- Windows XP/Vista:
- Click on Properties/Personalize
- Click on Display Settings
- Locate the slider for Resolution
- Drag the slider to the left toward Low; this will make items larger on the screen.
- Windows 7:
- Click on Screen Resolution
- Drag the slider down toward Low; this will make items larger on the screen.
- Use the tables within the Selecting Your Screen Resolution section, below, to choose the proper resolution for your monitor.
- Click the Apply button. Your screen will change to the new settings. Make sure that you can see things and they are big enough, and items do not appear distorted.
- If you are happy with this setting, click Yes, you wish to apply the new settings
- If you do not like the new settings, just wait, and in a few moments the screen will return to what it was before. You can then try a different setting.
- Once you have selected the resolution, and have clicked Yes to keep the new settings, click OK to close the Display Settings/Screen Resolution window. You can close the Properties/Personalize window, as well, if necessary.
Selecting Your Screen Resolution
The standard screen resolution for computer monitors remained the same 4 x 3 ("4 by 3") for many years... meaning four units wide by three units high. Now, with the popularity of wide screen monitors (16 x 9 and 16 x 10), there are additional resolutions. You want to be sure to choose the correct screen ratio resolution for your type of monitor. If not, the items will appear distorted (stretched or squashed) on your screen.
Along the Resolution slider, you should see some numbers. These are displaying the current screen resolution. Make note of these numbers that appear on your screen. Now, locate that same exact pair of numbers in one of the tables, below. Then to choose a different screen resolution, drag that resolution slider until you get to a pair of numbers that is found within the same table as your original numbers.
[As an example, let’s say my current screen resolution is 1920x1080. Look in the tables and you will find that pair of numbers in the 6th row of the 16x9 table. So for my new resolution, to make things appear larger, I would choose a pair of numbers from that same 16:9 table, like 1600x900 (the smaller the numbers, the larger things will appear on your screen).]
Use the following tables to select the proper resolution for your screen.
Standard 4x3 640 x 480 800 x 600 1024 x 768 1280 x 1024 1600 x 1200
Wide Screen 16x9 640 x 360 960 X 540 1024 x 576 1280 x 720 1600 x 900 1920 x 1080 2048 x 1152 2560 x 1440
Wide Screen 16x10 768 x 460 1024 x 640 1152 x 720 1280 x 800 1440 x 900 1680 x 1050 1920 x 1200 2304 x 1440 2560 x 1600
When I go to create a web page, I receive an error that AQ cannot use the directory. How do I resolve this problem?
This problem typically occurs because a default folder for the web pages has not yet been designated within AQ's Preferences, or the folder that has been designated cannot be utilized (it may be in a location where AQ cannot create the files, as restricted by Windows*). Here is how to remedy this issue:
- In Ancestral Quest, from the toolbar, click on Tools, then click on Preferences.
- Near the top of the Preferences window that appears, click on the Files and Folders tab.
- Notice that the bottommost setting is for the default folder for Web Pages. Click the Browse button to the right of that setting and then navigate to the desired folder in which you would like your web pages to be saved. *Typically, you will want to select a folder inside of your (My) Documents folder.
- Click OK to save this change.
Now you should be able to create web pages without any errors occurring.
When I go to print a report as a PDF file, I get two watermarks at the top of the page telling me to purchase PDF-XChange. How do I remove those marks from my PDF printouts?
[ Back to Top ]This issue occurs in either of these two cases:
- You are running Ancestral Quest on a 64-bit Windows operating system. This page of our site explains the issue and the work-around.
- You are trying to print your report from the PDF-XChange print driver directly, as a printer. To resolve this, when you are on the Print Reports and Charts screen, go to the lower-right corner of the window and, within the Destination section, select PDF File (.pdf). Then, when you click the Print button you will be prompted for the location and name of the PDF file that will be generated. The PDF-XChange program will generate the report without those watermarks.
Questions about Incline Software
When did Incline Software become associated with Ancestral Quest?
[ Back to Top ]In 1993 and 1994, Incline Software developed the first version of Ancestral Quest, with a mission of becoming the first Windows genealogy program.
Over the years, Incline Software has aligned itself with various partners in an effort to make the general public aware of AQ. If you are reading this FAQ, it is probably because you have seen the name of one of these partners. Some of these partners include:
- Infobases (from 1995 to 1997, when a new division of Infobases was named Ancestry)
- Ancestry (this division of Infobases continued the earlier contract into 1997)
- The Hope Foundation (from 1999 until early 2001)
Incline Software continues to develop and support Ancestral Quest.
Questions for LDS
Is Ancestral Quest available in Family History Centers?
Incline Software has offered to provide all Family History Centers with a free license to use AQ in the Centers. If your local FHC does not have AQ installed, you could make them aware of this offer. Many Family History Center computers are connected to LANDesk. You should be able to download AQ using LANDesk. If you have trouble with this, or do not have LANDesk, the director of the Center can contact us at ancquest@ancquest.com for information and assistance in placing AQ on the computers of the center.
Recently, the LDS Church has sent notices to the directors of Family History Centers informing them that Incline Software is a FamilySearch affiliate, and has specifically invited them to obtain a copy of Ancestral Quest for their computers. We hope that all FHC computers would have copies of AQ, as this is authorized.
Does Ancestral Quest work with new FamilySearch?
Yes. Ancestral Quest was the first full genealogy program to be certified with FamilySearch.
You can learn all about using AQ with the features of new.familysearch.org at the Ancestral Quest 12.1 - General Information page of this website.
You can access the Frequently Asked Questions regarding the new FamilySearch features of Ancestral Quest on our website, as well.
Can I record LDS Ordinance information in AQ?
Yes. When you first start AQ, it will ask you to set some major preferences. If you didn't turn the LDS options on at that time, go to the Tools menu, then on the General tab, activate the LDS Data option.
I don't see the LDS Ordinances on the main Edit for Individuals. What can I do?
If you have turned on the LDS Data option, you should see the LDS Ordinance information on the Individual Add/Edit screen either on the main Individual tab, or on a secondary LDS tab. To change the location of this information, go to the Tools menu, then to Preferences. On the General tab, you will see a section for "Individual Edit Screen". If your screen and resolution are large enough, you can choose to display both LDS Events and Other Events on the Individual tab. If you have a lower resolution, AQ will let you choose one or the other. If the LDS data is not shown on the main Individual tab, then it will be shown in a separate "LDS" tab.
How do I submit names to TempleReady?
As of July, 2009, the temples of the LDS Church no longer accept TempleReady disks. While AQ still has the functionality to create a GEDCOM file for TempleReady, you should now use the new Ordinance Reservation and Tracking System to submit ordinances directly from within AQ. If you do not yet have access to new.FamilySearch.org, take your database to a local Family History Center, where a staff member will have access to AQ on their FHC computers, and will have the ability to sign in as to help you. Click here to see the tutorial.
How do I update ordinance information in my file?
You will need to use the new features to access New FamilySearch. In summary, you link records in your file with corresponding records in FamilySearch, then transfer the ordinances from FamilySearch into your own records. Click here to see the tutorials.
What Ordinance reports are available in AQ?
- When you create a GEDCOM file to submit to TempleReady, you will be asked whether you want a report generated. You can check this box if you would like a file created with summary information about the names you are submitting.
- From the Reports and Charts screen, you can go to "Lists" and find two ordinance reports. One for missing Individual ordinances and one for missing Marriage ordinances. Once you have selected the general report type, you can use the "Options" button to select various options dealing with these reports.
- You can use the Custom Report capability, combined with the powerful advanced selection and filtering capability of AQ to define other reports.
How do I mark submitted names as "Submitted"?
If you read through the instructions for submitting names to the temple, notice there is a step for designating options prior to specifying a name for your GEDCOM file (step 8?). One of these options is whether or not you want AQ to place the Submitted mark on those records that are being submitted. Choose this option if you want the records so marked.
How do I remove the "Submitted" designation?
- Go to the Edit menu of AQ, then to "Replace Names/Dates/Places".
- Select "Date Fields" as the type of item to replace.
- A special button will appear on this screen labeled 'Remove "Submitted" Dates...' Click that button.
- Make your selections on that screen to remove all dates with "Submitted" or just some dates.
How do I update the list of temples that appears in the program?
[ Back to Top ]If you have the current release of AQ (version 14, as of June 2012), you can just go to the menu bar, choose Internet > Check for Latest AQ Release. Once you download and run the installer for the latest version, your temple list will be updated.
If you have an older version of AQ (versions 3, 2002/10, 11, or 12.x), you can download the TEMPLES.TXT file, here -- just click on the link with the secondary (right) mouse button, then choose Save Target as... or Save Link as... and then save the file to your Windows Desktop. Make sure that AQ is closed before proceeding. You will then want to copy the file from your Desktop, and then paste it inside the Ancestral Quest program folder, which is typically found at C:\Program Files\Incline Software\Ancestral Quest xx). You will be asked whether you wish to replace the existing Temples.txt file, to which you want to reply Yes, you do wish to replace the existing file. Once that file is in place, run AQ and your temple list will be updated.
Questions relating to Personal Ancestral File (PAF)
Is there a relationship between PAF and Ancestral Quest?
In 1999, Incline Software, with some strategic help from its partners, helped the LDS Church develop PAF 4 based on the newly released AQ 3.0. Both PAF 4 and the newer PAF 5 are therefore very similar to AQ. Since 1999, while the LDS Church has developed adjustments and new features into PAF, Incline Software has also developed dramatic new features into AQ.
If a user of PAF were to decide to upgrade to AQ, he/she would be able to take advantage of these wonderful new features with virtually no learning curve, as the PAF he/she is used to is so similar to AQ.
Alternatively, the PAF 5 user could use AQ as a PAF Add-in, as AQ is a FamilySearch certified PAF Add-in.
How is AQ compatible with PAF?
The AQ versions 12, 12.1, and 14 are fully compatible with a PAF 5 database. See the chart below. If you have an earlier version of AQ, you may want to read through the history presented below.
The earlier versions of AQ used the same data file structure as was then used by PAF. As a result, a user could use AQ by itself, or a PAF user could use AQ as a supplemental program to PAF. Since PAF was then a DOS program, and AQ was a Windows program, many PAF users took advantage of the graphical Windows reports and screen of AQ to work with their PAF data. So while there was not an official relationship between PAF and AQ, many users found a natural synergy.
In about 1997, PAF 3 was introduced with a changed database structure. Shortly thereafter, Incline Software upgraded AQ 3.0 to work with this new database, so that the synergy between PAF and AQ could continue. As we were about to release AQ 3.0, we started helping the church develop PAF 4.0 from our AQ 3.0. So there were then 3 programs that could all use the same data files: PAF 3 (DOS), AQ 3 (Windows) and PAF 4 (Windows).
Incline Software felt that the data structures used by PAF 3, and enhanced by AQ 3 and PAF 4, had limitations, so Incline Software developed its own .aq data structure that overcame these limitations. AQ 3.0 gave users the choice of using the more powerful .aq database, or of using the limited .paf database that would allow them to continue to use PAF 3 or PAF 4 with that data.
PAF 5 introduced yet another data structure. None of the older versions of PAF or of AQ could read this new format. With AQ 2002 (version 10) and later with version 11, AQ can still work with the older PAF database as well as with its own .aq database. Versions 10 and 11 could also read the newer PAF 5 database, but cannot update the PAF 5 data file -- they could only read the file and produce its improved reports and web pages from the data. A PAF 5 user would have to use PAF 5 rather than AQ to make changes to the data.
Starting with AQ version 12.0, AQ no longer worked with the older .paf files from PAF 3 and 4, but instead AQ 12.x and 14 work directly with the newer PAF 5 format of the file.
Perhaps this chart will help clarify:
Earlier Data Structure
(ie. indiv2.dat).paf Data Structure
(Prior to PAF 5).paf Data Structure
(For PAF 5)PAF 2.31
and earlierEdit none none AQ 2.2
and earlierEdit none none PAF 3 Convert Edit none PAF 4 Convert Edit none AQ 3 Convert Edit none AQ 10/11 Convert Edit Read Only
/ConvertPAF 5 none Convert Edit AQ 12.x/14 Convert Convert Edit To help you read this table, let's translate the last three lines:
- Both AQ 10 and AQ 11 can convert an older PAF database into a newer database. They can directly work with the .paf file that was also used by PAF 3 and PAF 4. They can read, but not edit, a new .paf file that is used by PAF 5, and they can also convert this file into any of the databases that they directly use.
- PAF 5 cannot in any way work with an older PAF data file from prior to PAF 3. It can convert a .paf file that was used by PAF 3 or PAF 4 into its new format. It can directly work with its newer .paf file.
- AQ 12.0, 12.1 and 14 can directly edit a PAF 5 data file. They can open up a .paf file just as PAF 5 can. Any changes you make to the .paf database in AQ 12.x/14 will be apparent in PAF 5, and vice versa. AQ 12.x/14 no longer edits a .paf file created with PAF 4 or with earlier versions of AQ (version 3 through 11) -- instead, it will convert this file to either a .paf file compatible with PAF 5, or to a .aq file, based on the options you set. You can then continue to work on this file in one of these newer formats.
What are the advantages and limitations on using a .paf database file within Ancestral Quest?
If you edit a Personal Ancestral File 5.x database (.paf) file within Ancestral Quest, you will have true compatibility with PAF 5. You can use the same data file in AQ 12.x and in PAF 5.x and switch back and forth between the programs whenever you wish. You can also use any of the PAF utilities or Add-on programs that enhance a PAF 5.x database file.
The other advantages of editing a PAF file within Ancestral Quest include:
- Ancestral File Numbers can be entered and edited. In PAF, they can only be added to the database through GEDCOM imports and they cannot be edited.
- You can enter the following types of information, which you will not be able to access from the PAF 5 program, but are always available in AQ:
- The Source Definition screen has an extra field for additional information, such as translator or compiler.
- Sources can be assigned a category. AQ uses this to allow you to filter your sources, and more easily find the source you are looking for.
- Sources can be flagged as a ?master? source, further helping in the filtering.
- Sources can be assigned a quality code, such as Primary Evidence, Secondary Evidence, etc.
- The citation detail has a quality code field; it also has a reference field in which you can enter a code specifying where that document can be found in your paper filing system.
- Notes can be entered for a repository.
- You can add To Do/Research Items.
- You can manage DNA test results for each person
- You can mark a child as confidential, or a set of parents as confidential
- You can mark a spouse as confidential, or a relationship as confidential
- Mark an individual as ?Not a Problem?, so that in AQ?s Possible Problem report, this individual will not be listed.
- Mark an individual as having never married.
- Mark a couple as having had no children
- You can edit the various other sentences that are used in the Book reports – not just the sentences dealing with an event, but sentences that transition sections of the book.
- To assist in printing images of sources, information about how a source image should be presented on a report is stored.
There are some limitations on what you can do with the PAF database file within Ancestral Quest, however. The following commands and/or features will be unavailable:
- Within the Add/Edit Individual dialog box, you cannot choose a different Birth Rite; the only available option is Christening. You can, however, add a different birth rite as an Other Event.
- You are limited the option of using Quick Entry (Simple); the Quick Entry (Advanced) feature is not available.
- Bookmarks are not available
- In the Edit menu, the following are disabled:
- Quick Entry Place List
- Replace Names/Dates/Places
- In the Tools menu, the following are disabled:
- Convert Names to Mixed Case
- Convert Place Abbreviations
- Change Log
How do I convert a PAF database over to an AQ database format?
[ Back to Top ]To convert from a .paf database to the .aq database format, follow these steps:
- Have the desired PAF database opened up within Ancestral Quest.
- Up on the menu bar, click on File, then select Database Converter.
- In the window that appears, notice that the dot will appear next to Ancestral Quest, indicating the type of database to which you are converting.
- Click to select the checkbox labeled Preserve old RIN Numbers if you want to keep the RINS the same in the new AQ database as in the PAF file from which you are converting.
- Click the Continue button.
- The Save As dialog box appears. Here, you can choose the location for the new file and give the file a filename. It will use the same filename as the PAF file by default, and you can keep that option. Or, if you wish, you can change the file name to something completely different (As an example, if your PAF database is Smith.paf, the default new name for the AQ database will be Smith.aq. You could change that name to something else, however, if desired). Once you have the proper location and file name, click the Convert button to continue.
The database will then be copied to the new AQ format. The original PAF database file will remain untouched. A window appears to state that the conversion is complete. This window also may instruct you on what to do to correct any Custom Events sentences. Click OK when you are done with that window.
Note: We need to explain a little about something going on after you convert the file.
- You had the PAF database open in AQ.
- You then converted the PAF database to an AQ database format.
- The newly created .aq database opened up, in front of the .paf database, so there are now two copies of AQ running, one with each version of the same database.
- Look down at the Windows Taskbar (along the bottom edge of your screen). You should see at least one button for AQ (if you do see just one button for AQ, point to it with your mouse). There is one button/thumbnail of AQ with the .paf file, then another button/thumbnail for AQ with the .aq file.
- Click on the first button/thumbnail to view the .paf file.
- To verify that you are viewing the .paf file, down on the AQ Status Bar, at the bottom of this AQ program window, check the filename. It should end with .paf.
- Exit out of this Ancestral Quest window (click the X on the red button in the upper-right corner of this AQ window).
- You should now be in the AQ program window containing the .aq database.
- Now, when you exit out of AQ, since the .aq database was the last one closed, it should automatically reopen the next time you run Ancestral Quest, directly.
You can now delete the PAF database file, if desired. Note that if you keep both versions of the database, they are completely different copies of that file. If you go into PAF, you will be editing the original PAF database, and not the new AQ database. Likewise, if you go into the AQ file in Ancestral Quest, you will be editing the new AQ database, and not the original PAF database.