convert clipper format to alternate format?

[KevinM1]

I've got an old '90 DOS program "Family Roots" that has files with extensions dbf/dbt/ntx. (Googled extensions and found references to Clipper, an Ashton Tate DBase compiler; apparently DBase uses nbx? ) I'd like to import the data into a Windows based Legacy Family Tree genealogy program.
The program only accepts GEDCOM .ged, PAF .dat, or Legacy .fdb.

Are you aware of any simple ways to convert the formats? Freeware products to convert?

Thanks for any insights.

 

[JCreamerII]

KevinM1,

The DBF is were the data is. You can open in EXCEL and view the data. Be careful not to save to the original file name as that will cause you some grief. But within EXCEL you can save to a numer of formats. The dat may be your best chance to import the old data to a new format.

The DBT & NTX will have very little if no value for you. The DBT file is a memo file with a memo record that is linked by the record number to the associated record in the DBF file. Not sure how you will get the data out without a Clipper program, may be possible I haven't tried using anything but Clipper to retrieve the memos. The NTX is the index that would order the data based on the index key order
values, and would have no value for the new program.

Jim C.

 

[KevinM1]

Jim,
Thanks for the feedback. A colleague also suggested access. Both Access and Excel can read the dbf but neither will save in a format recognized by the genealogy program. Are there database converters?
Thanks,
Kevin

 

[LyndonOHRC]

Kevin, dbase files can be converted to just about any type. You need to provide more detail about what file format is required for importing into your new genealogy program.



Lyndon

---People Remember about 10% of what you say ---They never forget how you made them feel. Covey

 

[KevinM1]

Lyndon,
Thanks for responding. Unfortunately I know little more than the available extensions that the program offer for file open or import: "The program only accepts GEDCOM .ged, PAF .dat, or Legacy .fdb." Additionally the windows program developer defer's me to the original dis program developer and indicates the extensions they support.
The DOS developer is unresponsive.

Thanks,
Kevin

 

[LyndonOHRC]

Kevin, The data you are trying to convert is, more than likely, dBase format. Once a very popular flat file desktop database. The columns/rows are in the dbf file and the dbt contains variable length text fields called memos. The ntx files are probably not going to be needed.

Your best hope is probably the dat format. I would try an SDF and a delimited conversion and see if the new application can read either of those in.

Do you have any tool such as dbase III or fox pro to try and convert with?

The next problem is if there is any data in the dbt file and if it is needed. Converting that will take some skill as it is rarely automatic in applications that convert dBase files to standard formats. What are the files sizes of the dbf and dbt? There is a chance that there is a memo field and there is really no data in it; that depends on how the application was designed and used.



Lyndon

---People Remember about 10% of what you say ---They never forget how you made them feel. Covey

 

[LyndonOHRC]

Kevin, If you want you can go to my Google Group where I have dBase/clipper tools and information that could help you.

clipper2coldfusion



Lyndon

---People Remember about 10% of what you say ---They never forget how you made them feel. Covey

 

[LyndonOHRC]

Kein, did you solve this problem?

Lyndon

---People Remember about 10% of what you say ---They never forget how you made them feel. Covey