WinREG.

Welcome to WinREG, the very latest Windows based utility for entering Baptism, Marriage and Burial information from church registers for the FreeREG project.

There are currently two versions of WinREG. Version 1 and version 2. Version 1 was designed to run on Windows XP and earlier versions. Version 2 is a newer version designed to run on Windows XP and Vista. For information on Version 1 go to Information on installing WinREG 1

• New release of WinREG 2 on 15 Dec 2008: All transcribers are urged to install

• About WinREG 2
• Major Differences between Versions 1 and 2 of WinREG
• Downloading and installing WinREG 2
• Updating your .NET Framework
• Starting WinREG 2 for the first time
• Using WinREG 2
• Uninstalling WinREG 2
• WinREG 2 FAQ

General Information about WinREG 2

WinREG 2 is the very latest Windows based utility recommended for entering Baptism, Marriage and Burial information from church registers for the FreeREG project.

If you have WinREG 1 installed you are not required to change to WinREG 2.

If you have not installed any version of WinREG then install WinREG 2.

If you are planning to move to or buy a computer with Windows Vista we strongly encourage you to install WinREG 2 and avoid a number of installation and usage headaches.

We do strongly urge you to make the change to WinREG 2 if you are experiencing the IO32 fatal error condition.

Finally WinREG 2 does have a large number of interesting features that make it a better product and do encourage a transition to it by all users over time.

The WinREG 2 software was written by Mike Fry, an active transcriber. If you encounter what appears to be a bug there is a bug reporting email address under the Help Taskbar. If you run into problems using the software get in touch with either your Country Coordinator or file a bug report.

This program was developed as a Windows based application to assist transcribers prepare their records for submission to FreeREG. It replaces the WinREG 1 and SpeedREG which had been in use for a number of years. It is expected that users will find that WinREG 2 is more compatible with their activities as a transcriber since it was designed by transcribers and written by a transcriber. It provides a modern platform that can be improved and augmented over time.

WinREG 2 offers:-

• Once only input of heading details such as your name, email address, County, Parish and Church.
• Automatic creation of a comma delimited file ready for uploading to FreeREG.
• Duplication of an entry.
• Automatic capitalization using a modified paragraph structure for the Abode, Parish, Occupation and Notes fields where the first letter is capitalized and the rest are controlled by the transcriber. Automatic capitalization is used in the forename and surname fields
• Gives a Pick List, possible options are provided as typing progresses in such fields as sex, relationship and marriage conditions.
• Extensive data checking especially for the date field
• A variety of date entry formats including for example 16.2.1672/3 or 16 2 1672/3 or 16/2/1672/3 as well as 16 feb 1672/3. All will create 16 Feb 1672/3 in the file.
• Sorting of the entries into ascending/or descending alphabetic order which provides a powerful tool for quality control; there is an associated UNSORT comand to restore the original order
• Designed for data entry with only the keyboard
• Full implementation of the Uncertain Character Format; UCF
• Special helpers for problem dates (F4) and coding an uncertain entry using the UCF (F5)
• Compatibility with standard windows keyboard shortcuts
• An integrated image viewer for displaying images of registers
• Ability to change the Church name, Source and Comments fields for the file at any time
• A Backup/Restore capability and with the ability to define a backup location
• Support for the additional marriage conditions
• and lots more to come!

WinREG 2 Index

Major Differences between Versions 1 and 2 of WinREG

• WinREG 2 does NOT automatically save the file each time a record is added to the file. You, the transcriber, MUST save the file. To save a file there is the standard Save File option in the File Menu. There is the standard Save Button on the Taskbar. Alternatively and most useful is to key Alt S simultaneously and the file will be saved.
  You will be asked if you wish to save the file on Exit if there are new records pending for the file; say Yes if you want to keep them.
• Select the Add Record (+ sign) to start adding records to the file once the program has been started
• There is far more data checking. If you get a red ! on a field, you MUST correct the entry before saving the record in order to proceed with saving.
• The date must be correctly entered especially if it is a split year entry.
• Single click on a record to DUPLICATE it; Double Click on a record to EDIT it.
• There is capitalization using a modified paragraph structure for the Abode, Parish, Occupation and Notes fields where the first letter is capitalized and the rest are controlled by the transcriber. Automatic capitalization is used in the forename and surname fields
• WinREG 2 supports a number of keyboard short cuts. Including Ctrl S to save a record, Alt S to save a file. Review the WinREG 2 Help file for details on them all.
• When in a date field, keying the F4 function key will start the Date Helper to assist you in properly formatting a date will missing or uncertain parts.
• When in a text field, keying the F5 function key will start the UCF Helper to assist you in properly formatting a text field with uncertain characters.
• The Drop Down menu or Pick Lists CAN be used with just the keyboard. Use of the mouse is NOT mandatory. There are several ways of using. Tab to such a field. 1)Type the first character and if the correct entry appears in the field tab to the next field. 2) Type the first character and you are offered a choice of entries, use the down arrow to select the option you wish and tab to the next field. 3) Type 2 or 3 characters to reduce the options to 1 and then tab to the next field. eg in the burial relationship drop down box type either wif or wid to get the correct entry displayed.
• After editing a record you MUST key Ctrl A or select the Add a record (+) icon to recommence adding records

WinREG 2 Index

Installing WinREG 2 on your PC

If you have a version of WinREG 2 already installed on your computer, it is necessary to uninstall that version before installing a new version. Follow the instructions below to uninstall the current version. You should also delete the version of the WinREG 2 installer that you downloaded previously. Doing this will NOT delete your settings for WinREG 2and/or transcriptions.

To download WinREG just click on the "download WinREG" link below. The file is quite large, approximately 1 Mbyte, so it may take a while to download if you have a slow speed connection. Be patient the program is worth the time investment.

Windows will ask you to specify a folder (directory) on your hard disk in which to save the file.(You may use any folder such as c:\received files\ or alternatively you may want to save it to a c:\FreeREG\WinREG\ folder). Remember to make a note of the location. You will need to go to it later in the installation process.

The downloaded file will have a name like WinREGSetup.msi

The installation process itself is similar to any other installation process under Windows and is quite self explanatory. However, you may want to briefly review the steps in the process that are explained below before starting the download.

Download WinREG 2

As noted above the installation process itself is similar to any other installation process under Windows and is quite self explanatory. Assuming you saved the file on your computer use Windows Explorer to go to the folder (directory) where you saved the install file WinREGSetup.msi. Double click on the file name and that will start the installation process and lead you through the installation process. It is self explanatory and really very fast!

Then, or if you told Windows to execute the file without saving it, the installation process then asks you to identify where the program is to be installed. The default folder (directory) for the location of the program files is provided. Just tap the Next button if you wish to use this location and we do recommend it; but you can define any directory on any drive that is accessible to your computer. (Use the Browse button to locate the location you wish to use)

Select Next and on the subsequent page, select Install. The program is them installed on your computer.

At this point you may receive a message "WinREG for Windows cannot be installed on systems with .NET Framework earlier than 2.0". If you do follow the steps outlined in Updating your .NET Framework and then restart the WinREG 2 installation process.

When this is complete you are asked to finish the installation. During this phase the installer will ask if you wish to create a Program Group under WinREG for Windows (You will see that under the Windows START button in the list of installed programs), if you wish to place a shortcut on your desktop and if you wish to add the program to the Quick Launch menu to make it easier for you to start the program itself. The default of these options is yes. Lastly you will be asked if you wish to have WinREG 2 always open your CSV files, it will then create a transcripts folder under your Documents folder to make it easier for you to access your transcripts. The actual folder is located at Documents\FreeREG\WinREG for Windows\Transcripts\

WinREG 2 Index

Updating your .NET Framework

To update the .NET Framework go to the Microsoft download site, link to be provided in a few lines, Click the button Download it now under the note ".NET Framework 3.5 SP1". This will take you to another Microsoft page. Click the Download button and follow the instructions from Microsoft. Please be aware this download and installation process may take up to 30 minutes. When it is complete go back and re-execute the WinREG for Windows Installer. Now go to the Microsoft .NET Framework Download Site

WinREG 2 Index

Starting WinREG 2 for the first time

The first time the program asks you to identify your, name, e-mail address and the county you are working with. (If you have already installed an earlier version of WinREG 2 the program will use those settings.) Please make sure this is the same information that you have used when you registered as a transcriber with FreeREG. You may change this information at any point in the future by selecting the Settings/Options menu in WinREG 2.

If you are an exiting transriber then it is essential that you follow the next step. Copy all of your previous transcription from the old transcripts folder to the new transcripts folder. This will ensure that the files are named correctly by WinREG 2 and thereby avoid problems with duplicate file names when you go to upload.

To do this go to the existing transcripts folder. It is usually stored at C:\Program Files\WinREG\Transcripts Go to the Edit menu at the at the top on the Task Bar ans select the Select All option. This will highlight all your files. Then go back to the Edit menu at the top on the Task Bar and select Copy. Now go to the new transcripts folder. It is at Documents\FreeREG\WinREG for Windows\Transcripts Again go to the Edit menu at the top on the Task Bar and select the Paste option. All your files should now appear in the new Transcripts folder.

WinREG 2 Index

Uninstalling WinREG 2

WinREG 2 Index

New release of WinREG 2 on 15 Dec 2008

Bugs
1. File damage by fast project switching and closing a project while the file was being written have been corrected
2. UCF formats from WinREG 1 and direct user input now processed correctly
3. Date checking now catches Sept and full months
4. Place names with just 1 and 2 character are no longer permitted
5. Place names starting with St. and Co. are processed appropriately
6. The age field now accepts ages with 10m and 11m such as 4y10m and 4y11m
7. The Sliver font is now loaded
8. The burial template is added
Enhancements
1. Image Viewer
   • The Image Viewer is always on top
   • The file name of active image is now displayed in the Image Viewer Title bar
   • The column of file names in the Image Viewer can be sorted
   • The Image Viewer now accepts Tiff files
2. New date formats are permitted such as 16.2.1672/3 or 16 2 1672/3 or 16/2/1672/3
3. The comma as well as all permitted special characters may now be used in the Abode, Parish, Occupation and Notes field.
4. Drag and drop to a new position of all sub windows including the Date helper and the UCF aid are remembered
5. Window stretching is remembered for the main Data Entry window and the Image Viewer
6. The creation of Desktop and Quick Launch shortcuts can be selected by the user at installation
7. The option to have WinREG 2 associated with the file extension for CSV files is provided at installation.
8. Empty columns are given minimal column width in the data display window
9. WinREG 2 will now check for the existence of a newer version and ask you to install

To do so Uninstall your current version of WinREG 2 and then Download and install WinREG 2 from the server.

WinREG 2 Index

FreeREG is kindly hosted by The Bunker and supported by Roots Web, www.Ancestry.co.uk, www.british-genealogy.com and Parish Chest