Is there a way to exclude freeform source information from a Gedcom?

[Kim]

I am trying to create a gedcom for upload to Ancestry. When I include sources, everything shows up in the gedcom, including freeform notes from the sources. I often use the freeform space to include notes about a source, some of which may be sensitive information that I don’t want to share online. When I create a report like a Register report, this freeform data is excluded. Only the basic source information shows up. Am I missing something in my set up? Or is the only alternative to exclude all source information? I can work around this if necessary, but I just want to be sure I haven’t overlooked something obvious.

[Blaise A. Darveaux]

I don't think you can do exactly what you want and this is why. Think of the information about your source like a cake. You can follow a recipe from a cookbook that lists out the ingredients (that would be like filling out the labeled fields in the top part of the source window) OR you can make the cake from scratch (that would be filling the freeform window.) Some people like to do it one way, other people like to do it the other way. Either way (or both at the same time) anything you put in either of these sections will show up as the source. I don't think the freeform way of entering data about the source was meant to be used as a "Notes" field (although that would be handy sometimes) the way you seem to be using it.

One possibility that I just thought of. The sensitive data MAY be able to be excluded if you put them in Square Brackets and check the box in settings to exclude sensitive data. However, that may just work for event, fact, and note fields. I just don't know. Might be worth a try. Disadvantage even if it works: you would have to go through all the sources to add the brackets.

[Bob White]

Make your Ancestry tree private. Access by others is only by your allowing them access.

[Kim]

Thanks, Blaise! I'm going to experiment with the brackets to see if it works. Then I'll decide whether it is worth it. I'll come back and let you know.

Bob, my trees are already private, which is great if I want no one to see them. I'm to the point that I want to share parts with cousins from one branch. Unfortunately, some of the sourcing is from conversations with my mother, who often had 'uncomplimintary' things to say about her siblings. My cousins don't need to read that. If Blaise's idea doesn't work, I will just omit sourcing altogether and attach a bibliography.

[Kim]

Well, unfortunately the brackets did not work to exclude anything. I'm thinking I will just attach a bibliography of sources to the gallery of the earliest ancestor and be done. If the cousins want more specific information, they can ask.

[theKiwi]

One possibility that I just thought of. The sensitive data MAY be able to be excluded if you put them in Square Brackets and check the box in settings to exclude sensitive data. However, that may just work for event, fact, and note fields. I just don't know. Might be worth a try. Disadvantage even if it works: you would have to go through all the sources to add the brackets.

Two problems - you have to go into the Settings and define what type of brackets are used to indicate Sensitive Data, and secondly it doesn't apply everywhere anyway.

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Roger

[Legolas]

Move your freeform text to a field of your own and not not give it any GEDCOM tag. They will not be exported

[A Ginn]

You can exclude sensitive free-form text found in a source record but not sensitive data from a Source Field (top pane). First, ensure that the sensitive data delimiter you are using matches the one chosen in the Settings - Privacy & Sensitivity - Sensitivity tab.

The Register report uses the Exclude Sensitive Data box in this Settings tab. With this box checked the preview pane in the source window confirms that sensitive text from the free-form section will be excluded from the report.

The GEDCOM export process uses its own Exclude Sensitive Data checkbox, however, NOT the one in the Settings tab, so ensure this is checked when exporting. The source preview will show or hide the text based upon the Settings tab checkbox, but the text will not export in the GEDCOM.