Thanks to the dedication of the developer, Mike Fry in deepest Africa, we are able to announce that WinREG 2 has been officially released and is available for general use. Thank you Mike.

WinREG 2 has had two months of testing by Jude, Harry, Winnie, Leonard, Marion, Pam, Rachel, DaveN, Kirk and Eric. The final version reflects their feedback, comments and suggestions.

The new feature available with WinREG 2 are:

  • 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
  • Extensive data checking especially for the date field
  • Sorting of the entries into ascending/or descending alphabetic order which provides a powerful tool for quality control
  • 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 short cuts
  • 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!

Please please read very carefully the instruction on how to install it. I suggest you print the page out so you have it to hand as you are installing.

While it looks very similar it actually behaves VERY differently. The MAIN differences are given below. Pay special attention to the first.


  • 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 Task bar. 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.
  • 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. e.g. 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

It may be installed by going to https://www.freereg.org.uk/winreg/index.htm

There is also extensive documentation on how to use it at https://www.freereg.org.uk/winreg/usingwinreg2.htm

I would ask all coordinators to become experts in using WinREG 2 and to lead their teams to a full adoption.

Any compliments should go to our very dedicated developer, Mike Fry.

Any issues, complaints and suggestions should be sent to me as we will be continuing to develop the product further.

--
Kirk Dawson
FreeREG Executive