This page updated 12 Dec 2011
Version note: Applies to TMG 7 & 8
TMG uses Tags to record almost everything about each person in your Data Set. It may be helpful to think of each person you record as initially being defined only by an ID number, which TMG assigns automatically. It is the Tags that bring the person "to life" by adding one or more names, connections to parents and children, defining all manner of events, from birth to death, and endless possibilities in between. These Tags hold the information that is displayed on screen, and which is the source of the reports you may generate.Tags in the Name group contain the primary name, and any other names, like nicknames, name changes due to events like marriage, and spelling variations.
Tags in the Relationship Group define parent/child links. They are what mark one person as the parent or child of another.
Tags in the Marriage Group create marriages or other like unions.
Tags in the Birth Group and Death Group are special cases because they control the key dates that appear in many reports. In addition, Birth Group Tags serve as a basis for the age calculations that appear in various places.
Most other Tags fall in the Other Event Group, which is the extremely varied group that records everything from schooling, to census, to occupation, and many more events.
TMG comes with a large number of default Tag Types to record various events. It also provides the user the option to create custom Tag Types to suit his or her preferences. Listed below are articles describing how to customize Tags and Tag Types, and a few custom Tag Types that I have found useful to add to those supplied with the program:
| General Information Editing and creating Tags and Tag Types in TMG |
| Modifying Tag Sentence Structures - tips on editing Sentences |
| Sentence Variables - lists of available Sentence variables and their meanings |
| Sentence Preview - seeing how your tags will output in narrative reports |
| Using Roles - more options for controlling sentences |
| Combining Output Sentences - making two tags produce a single output sentence |
| Using Reminders - aids to entering data in standard and custom tags |
| Creating Flowing Narratives - combining techniques for better narratives |
Export/Import of Tag Types - copying Tag Types to another Data Set  |
|
Special-Purpose Codes and Tag Types Working with special Codes and Tag Types to Enhance Your Reports |
| The NarrativeChildren Tag - customizing the "children of" Statement |
| JournalIntro and JournalConclusion Tags - adding introductory and conclusion sections |
| Centering and Indenting Text - displaying quotes "properly" |
|
Terry's Custom Tag Types Some custom Tag Types I have found useful |
| Alt-Tags - dealing with conflicting dates and places |
| Census Tag - Basic - enter all members of the household in one tag |
Census Tag - Expanded 1850 & Later - listing everyone
in the Head of Household's narrative  |
| Census Tag - Expanded Before 1850 - dealing with unnamed household members |
| Multiple Marriages
- adding the traditional 1st, 2nd, and 3rd labels |
| Will Tag - including
the executor, heirs, and those "mentioned" |
| Miscellaneous Tags - research notes and the like |
My book, A Primer for The Master Genealogist, is again available in the U.S. and remains available in Australia.
Details are can be seen here.
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