FreeCEN Administration Tools—csv2dat messages

Fatal and general errors

The Fatal errors marked (*) occur before the error file has opened so will only appear on the console window.

Fatal: File must be a .csv (comma separated values)

No other file types are accepted.

Fatal: Census year cannot be determined from file name (<filename>)

The format of the file name was not recognised. See the main documentation page.

Fatal: Piece number in file name (<piece>) is not numeric

As above.

Fatal: Part number in file name (<part>) is not valid/numeric

As above.

Fatal: Full file name required including the three letter extension

The file extension was missing. Files should be .CSV only.

Fatal: input file (<name>) failed to open

There was an error trying to open the file (there is a supplementary message). Often this is a typing error.

(*)Fatal: Messages file (<name>) failed to open

There was an error trying to create the file. The reasons can be obscure but the supplementary message should help.

Fatal: row n, No data in file, it appears to be empty (etc)

row n could not be found (one of the first three which are essential).

Fatal: File type switch does not match number of columns in data
all the titles in row 2 must be non-blank

In BRIEF mode (default) there must be 25 columns for transcribed data (.DAT output), 26 columns for checked and original validated data (-c switch, .VAL output) and 28 columns for new validated data (-d switch, .VLD output). The method used for this check is to count the headings in Row 2 so they all need to be present (the actual content doesn't matter so long as there is something there)

Fatal: Output file <name> failed to open

There was an error trying to create the file. The reasons can be obscure but the supplementary message should help.

(*)Fatal: Program path too long, move it closer to the root of the disk

The program is installed too deep in the file structure so the path name is more than 127 characters. Move it to a simpler path.

(*)Fatal: File path too long, move it closer to the root of the disk

The data file too deep in the file structure so the path name is more than 127 characters. Move it to a simpler path.

Error: row n, ends with incomplete field

A line of the CSV file is cut short. This probably indicates a corrupt file. Blank fields are inserted for the remainder of the record.

Error: row n, field too long <text>, truncated by p to q characters in the output file

The indicated value is too large to fit in the space allocated. It is truncated and the corresponding flag (if there is one) is set to x.

Error: row n, field contains an invalid character <c>

The allowed characters are in a subset of ISO8859-1 as defined by FreeBMD.

Warning: row n blank, ignored

There is no content on the row input. Often these occur at the end of an otherwise good file. They will alter the row/record count offset.

Warning: row n, possibly too many lines on page m

A maximum of 31 lines per page is possible but this can occur if there are interlinear insertions (often uninhabited) and also from our policy of splitting multiple unoccupied houses onto separate lines.

Warning: row n, too many pages on folio m

A maximum of 2 pages per folio is possible

Warning: row n, trailing "?" removed and flag set

The authorities don't like question marks so the more common ones are removed here and the flag set instead. Some fields (like Notes) do not have a flag!

Warning: row n, "?" detected, flag set

If any “?” marks are present there must be some doubt so the flag is set.

Warning: Aux file <name> failed to open, county code checking disabled

County checking requires an aux file (chap18y1.txt, where y = 4 for 1841 or 9 for all the rest) to be present in the same directory as the program binary

Warning: Aux file <name> failed to open, relationship code checking disabled

Relationship checking requires an aux file (relcodes.txt) to be present in the same directory as the program binary

Warning: Too many counties in aux file, county code checking disabled

There is a limit of 150 counties written in to the code

Warning: Too many relationships in aux file, relationship code checking disabled

There is a limit of 150 counties written in to the code

Data items and corresponding error messages

The row and column numbers here relate to SS-CENS format files. The alternative ‘ALL’ format is documented in the reference material but many of the same error messages apply.

Text fields which should be present on a particular census but are blank in a particular example should be entered as “-” except where indicated that a blank is acceptable. In some cases, as indicated below, fields propagate down to fill blanks until another positive entry is encountered.

Cell A1 = Piece number (e.g. RG12/1893). This field is use to verify which piece is being transcribed. It is not fully checked against the file name or for validity.

Warning: Cell A1 doesn't contain a valid piece number

Only the first letters are checked for validity. It is converted to upper case. It should either be the same as the first two characters of the file name (RG, HO, RS or HS) or SCT. The are not checked to match the actual year or file type.

Cell B1 = Initial 1841 Book Number (width 4) This number is used for the first book (1841 only, ignored for other years) and is used to calculate the remaining book numbers for the piece by incrementing by one each time the Folio numbers revert to a new sequence. See also column AC for Validated Pieces. Note: This used to be Registration district number (after 1841) or Parish number (1841 Cornwall only). This meaning is discontinued.

Warning: cell B1 contains a non-numeric book number b

The field is not numeric. This is acceptable but no format check has been done and auto-increement for new books will not work properly.

Warning: Book numbers not set

To allow for older files, where book numebrs were not inserted, and for current files where they have not yet been obtained, they are ignored if left blank or zero.

Warning: Old format file, Book numbers not in use

This is an old form Cornwall file a parish number set in cell B1

Warning: ENG 1841 book number b in cell B1 ignored for SCT piece

Warning: 1841 book number b in cell B1 ignored for yyyy piece

Inapropriate use of book number field ignored

Row 2 = column titles. this is not checked but the row must be present.

Row 3 = column widths. this is not checked but the row must be present.

NOTE: —For checked files, all the columns move along one after column A to accomodate the Ecclesiastical District name in column B (width 20). It is optional after row 4 and is propagated down until changed. For validated files, all the columns move along two after column W to accomodate the Alternate County Code and Birth Place. Both of these changes should be self evident from the header line which is adjusted to match, but for convenience, the columns letters are listed below after the main letter thus X[Y,AA] where the first alternate is for checked pieces and the second for validated pieces.

Column A[A,A] = Civil parish names (width 20). This must be present on the first data line but will propagate down until changed.

Error: row n, initial civil parish name not set

The parish name is missing from row 4. A dummy of XX will be inserted, but should be corrected and run again.

Warning : row n, civil parish has changed in the middle of a page

No correction is made.

Warning: row n, parish = <name> contains unusual characters

Check the value carefully that it is what was intended

Column -[B,B] = Ecclesiastical District names (width 20). This must be present on the first data line of checked and validated pieces only, but will propagate down until changed.

Warning: row n, Eccl. District name missing

The district name is missing from row 4.

Warning : row n, Eccl. District has changed in the middle of a page

No correction is made.

Warning: row n, Eccl. District = <name> contains unusual characters

Check the value carefully that it is what was intended

Column B[C,C] = Enumeration District (width 3 + 1 optional alpha). This must be present on the first data line but will propagate down until changed. To use the special ED codes for institutions and shipping, use the form nn#c where nn is the Enumeration District (possibly 0) and c is the code for the type. If there is an occasion where an alpha suffix is required and an institutional code is needed then the latter takes precedence. You will get a few warnings, but it will store the record ok.

Error: row n, initial ED not set

The ED is missing from row 4. A dummy of 99 will be inserted, but should be corrected and run again.

Error: row n, ED = m not numeric

The ED does not fit one of the recognised formats. A dummy of 99 will be inserted, but should be corrected and run again.

Error: row n, ED suffix = <c> not alphanumeric

Only alphabetics are allowed, or numeric institution codes. It is ignored.

Error: row n, ED > 3 digits

The maximum value is 999. A dummy of 999 will be inserted, but should be corrected and run again.

Warning: row n, ED = m not sequential

The EDs are out of order. This is not always an error but the source data should be checked.

Column C[D,D] = Folio number (width 4 + 1 optional alpha). This must be present on the first data line but will propagate down until changed. The Scottish census does not use folio numbers, but uses the field for the book number instead.

Error: row n, initial folio number not set

The folio number is missing from row 4. A dummy of 9999 will be inserted, but should be corrected and run again.

Error: row n, folio/book = m not numeric

A dummy of 9999 will be inserted, but should be corrected and run again.

Error: row n, folio/book suffix = <c> not alphabetic

Only alphabetic suffixes are allowed. It is ignored.

Error: row n, folio/book > 4 digits

The maximum value is 9999. A dummy of 9999 will be inserted, but should be corrected and run again.

Warning: row n, folio number = m not sequential

The folios are out of order or some are missing.

Warning: row n, excessive gap before folio m

One wouldn't expect a gap of more than 4 folios between EDs.

Warning: row n, folio/book = 0

Some fiche have no folio numbers, or someone has forgotten to type them.

Warning : row n, folio/book has changed in the middle of a page

No correction is made.

Column D[E,E] = Page number (width 4). This must be present on the first data line but will propagate down until changed. Pieces that do not have page numbers such as Merchant Shipping, should be set to page 0.

Error: row n, initial page number not set

The page number is missing from row 4. A dummy of 999 will be inserted, but should be corrected and run again.

Error: row n, page number = m not numeric

No alpha suffix is permitted on page numbers. A dummy of 999 will be inserted, but should be corrected and run again.

Warning: row n, first page of ED = m

A new ED has started but the page number is not 1.

Warning: row n, page number = m not sequential

The pages are out of order or some are missing (within this ED).

Column E[F,F] = Schedule number (width 3 + optional alpha). This must be present on the first data line. This is the trigger for a new household. The value will propagate down until a new household is started. Households that do not have a designated schedule number (for various reasons, including all 1841 files) should have 0 set here. The field must be left blank if a new household is not wanted at this point. It is possible for consecutive households to have the same schedule number (especially 0).

Error: row n, initial schedule number not set

The schedule number is missing from row 4. A dummy of 999 will be inserted, but should be corrected and run again.

Error: row n, schedule number = m not numeric

A dummy of 999 will be inserted, but should be corrected and run again.

Error: row n, schedule suffix = <c> not alphabetic

Only alphabetic suffixes are allowed. It is ignored.

Error: row n, schedule > 1999

The maximum value is 1999. A dummy of 999 will be inserted, but should be corrected and run again.

Warning: row n, first schedule of ED = m

A new ED has started but the schedule number is not 1 (or 0).

Warning: row n, schedule number = m not sequential

The schedule numbers are out of order or some are missing (0 excluded and within this ED). NOTE: —The program cannot spot this problem where there are intervening 0 schedules.

Warning: row n, consecutive schedule numbers (m) are the same

Two consecutive households have the same schedule number which is probably an error. Uninhabited households and zero schedule numbers do not generate this warning. NOTE:—as above.

Column F[G,G] = House number (width 4 + optional alpha). This is an optional field which should be blank when not present. The value will propagate down within the household only.

Error: row n, house number = m not numeric

House numbers with more than one alphabetic should be put in the house name field. The error is NOT corrected automatically.

Error: row n, house number > 4 digits

The maximum value is 9999. A dummy of 9999 will be inserted, but should be corrected and run again.

Warning: row n, house number has changed in the middle of a household.

No correction is made.

Column G[H,H] = House name/address (width 30). The program capitalises initial letters. The value will propagate down within the household only. Ditto marks in the original should be interpreted as a repeat of the previous value by the transcriber and filled in full here.

Info: row n, address missing

The address field is empty and no flag is set. A “-” is inserted but no flag is set (as it would destroy other information).

Warning: row n, address has changed in the middle of a household.

No correction is made.

Column H[I,I] = Uninhabited/Building etc. Flag (width 1). This is a mixed use field. It can take values u (uninhabited), b (building), v (visiting), n (schedule not used), x (an uncertain reading of an address) and -. See other documentation for the correct use of this field. In 1851 there was no separate column containing this information, but it can usually be inferred from other comments.

Warning: row n, uninhabited flag = m invalid value

Only the above values are accepted. It is changed to x.

Warning: row n, uninhabited flag = m but not new household

A new schedule is created with number “0”. Generally this will occur because the schedule number has been left off. Uninhabited etc. should not appear in the middle of a household, nor can people be listed against one. The common cause for this appears to be that the enumerator realised he had omitted to log these premises and only had space to jot them down in the middle of a household. In this transcript, they must have their own valid schedule number or zero so they must be placed before or after the main household.

Error: row n, the first record after an uninhabited building must be a new household.

This is the reverse of the case above, however is it not possible to guess the schedule number so, although a new household is created in the data file, the schedule number is NOT changed from the previous one.

The remaining columns must be filled in for every row where data is present. No propagation occurs.

Column I[J,J] = Surname (width 24). The program capitalises the surname.

Warning: row n, surname missing

The surname field is empty and no flag is set. The program sets the name flag to x.

Warning: row n, surname = <name> contains unusual characters

Check the value carefully that it is what was intended

Column J[K,K] = Forenames (width 24). The program capitalises initial letters.

Warning: row n, forename(s) missing

The forenames field is empty and no flag is set. The program sets the name flag to x.

Warning: row n, forename(s) = <name> contains unusual characters

Check the value carefully that it is what was intended

Column K[L,L] = Name Flag (width 1). Set to x when uncertain of the reading of a name.

Warning: row n, name flag = m invalid value

Only x, - and space (silently changed to -) are accepted. It is changed to x.

Column L[M,M] = Relationship (width 6). Recoginsed abbreviations should be used. Use - if the data is missing. This column should be blank (or -) for 1841 files.

Warning: row n, relationship missing

The relationship field is empty and no flag is set. It is set to - and the detail flag is set to x.

Warning: row n, Head of household is not the first entry in the schedule

This probably suggests that a household/schedule break has been missed.

Info: row n, relationship ignored

For 1841 input, this field was set but ignored.

Warning: row n, relationship = <name> contains unusual characters

Check the value carefully that it is what was intended

Warning: row n, unrecognised relationship code <name>

The code used is not in the master file of relationships supplied. This is not necessarily wrong as the list cannot be exhaustive. Consult your co-ordinator if in doubt.

Column M[N,N] = Condition (width 1). The valid values are S (single), M (married), W (widow[er]), U (unmarried) and - (missing). A blank is silently changed to -. It should be left blank (or -) for 1841 files.

Warning: row n, condition = m invalid value

Only the above values are accepted. It is unchanged but the detail flag is set to x.

Info: row n, condition ignored

For 1841 input, this field was set but ignored.

Column N[O,O] = Sex Marker (width 1). The valid values are M (male), F (female) and - (unknown). The value is determined from the position of the age on the census page. - is only applicable if no age or both ages are given and it is not possible to determine the sex from the forenames.

Error: row n, sex = m invalid value

Only the above values are accepted. It is changed to - but should be corrected and run again.

Warning: row n, sex marker missing

The sex marker is empty and no flag is set. It is set to - and the detail flag is set to x.

Column O[P,P] = Age (width 3 + alpha). The alpha should be y (years), m (months) or d (days). A blank is silenty changed to y. An age of 999y should be set if the correct value is missing or cannot be determined.

Error: row n, age = m not numeric

A dummy age of 999y will be inserted, but should be corrected and run again.

Warning: row n, age missing

The age field is empty and no flag is set. It is set to 999 and the detail flag is set to x.

Warning: row n, age units = n invalid value

Only the above values are accepted. It is unchanged but the detail flag is set to x.

Warning: row n, zero age

If the age is not present it should be marked as 999y.

Warning: row n, age > m

The age is an unreasonable value (>120y or 24m or 20w or 30d).

Warning: row %d, married person age under 14y

If the condition is M or W then the person should be at least 14y old. Unlike IN-CENS, this doesn’t differentiate between the sexes.

Column P[Q,Q] = Detail Flag (width 1). Set to x when uncertain of the reading of any of the previous four fields.

Warning: row n, detail flag = m invalid value

Only x, - and space (silently changed to -) are accepted. It is changed to x.

Column Q[R,R] = Occupation (width 30). Optional free form field.

Error: row n, no room for employed status in occupation field

When the employed status marker is set (below) a text form of the value is inserted into the occupation column before writing to the output file. 6 free spaces (out of the 30 available) are required to fit this in. The employed status is ignored and the occupation flag set.

Column R[S,S] = Employed Status (width 1). Optional field. Valid values are E (employed/worker), R (employer), N (neither/own account) or blank. Used in conjunction with the occupation field (above). It should be left blank for pre 1891 files.

Warning: row n, employed status = m invalid value

Only the above values are accepted. It is unchanged but the occupation flag is set to x.

Info: row n, employed status ignored

For pre 1891 input, this field was set but ignored.

Column S[T,T] = Occupation Flag (width 1). Set to x when uncertain of the reading of the occupation or employed status fields.

Warning: row n, occupation flag = m invalid value

Only x, - and space (silently changed to -) are accepted. It is changed to x.

Column T[U,U] = County Code (width 3). Recoginsed codes should be used but these are not checked. Use UNK if the data is missing.

Warning: row n, county code missing

The county code field is empty and no flag is set. It is set to UNK and the birth place flag is set to x.

Warning: row n, county code = m invalid length

All county codes are three characters. It is unchanged but the birth place flag is set to x.

Warning: row n, unrecognised county code m

The county code is not one of the recognised ones used in the project

Column U[V,V] = Birth Place (width 20). NOTE: —The county or country is put in the previous column. This field should be left blank for 1841 files.

Info: row n, birth place missing

The birth place field is empty and no flag is set. It is set to - and the birth place flag is set to x.

Info: row n, birth place ignored

For 1841 input, this field was set but ignored.

Warning: row n, birth place = <name> contains unusual characters

Check the value carefully that it is what was intended

Column V[W,W] = Birth Place Flag (width 1). Set to x when uncertain of the reading of the birth place field.

Warning: row n, birth place flag = m invalid value

Only x, - and space (silently changed to -) are accepted. It is changed to x.

Column -[-,X] = Alternate County Code (width 3). Recoginsed codes should be used for validated pieces only, but these are not checked. Use UNK if the data is missing.

Warning: row n, alternate county code = m invalid length

All county codes are three characters.

Warning: row n, unrecognised alternate county code m

The alternate county code is not one of the recognised ones used in the project

Column -[-,Y] = Alternate Birth Place (width 20). NOTE: —The county or country is put in the previous column. This field should be left blank for 1841 files.

Info: row n, alternate birth place ignored

For 1841 validated input only, this field was set but ignored.

Warning: row n, alternate birth place = <name> contains unusual characters

Check the value carefully that it is what was intended

Column W[X,Z] = Disability (width 6). An optional free form field. This field should be left blank for 1841 files.

Info: row n, disability ignored

For 1841 input, this field was set but ignored.

Warning: row n, disability = <name> contains unusual characters

Check the value carefully that it is what was intended

Column X[Y,AA] = Language (width 1). An optional field, which can take the values W = Welsh speaking, E = English speaking, B = both or '-'. In the odd cases where another language has been stated, '-' should be used and a remark added to the Notes field. It should be left blank on English and all pre 1881 files. There may be other values for Scottish records

Warning: row n, language = <m> invalid value

Not one of the above

Info: row n, language ignored.

For pre 1881 input and English pieces, this field was set but ignored.

Column Y[Z,AB] = Notes (width 44).

Warning: row n, is marked DELETED.

The Notes field contains the word “DELETED” which is used as a marker to indicate that the original data record was marked as deleted. The new data record will also be marked in this way.

Column -[-,AC] = 1841 Book Number (width 4). This optional field can be used to override the calculated 1841 Book Number derived from Cell B1 and described above. It is ignored for years other than 1841.

Warning: row n, book number = m not numeric

The field is not numeric. This is acceptable but no format check has been done and auto-increement for new books will not work properly.

Warning: row n, Book number = <m> not sequential

The Books seem to be out of order. This is not always an error but the source data should be checked.

Warning: row n, Book number has changed in the middle of a page

No correction is made.

Other errors related to -a (ALL) input mode only

Error: row n, household number = m not numeric

Often because it is missing completely. This error is NOT corrected, it should be fixed and run again.

Warning: row n, initial household number = m

The household number of row 1 is not 1. No correction is made.

Info: row n, household number = m not sequential

They are expected to be increasing by one for each household but CHECK-CENS creates some out of sequence if missing households are inserted. No correction is made.

Error: row n, household number = 0 not valid

This error is NOT corrected, it should be fixed and run again.

Warning: row n, household member number blank

CHECK-CENS sometimes creates this fault when inserting missing persons.

Error: row n, household member number = m not numeric

This error is NOT corrected, it should be fixed and run again.

Warning: row n, initial household member number = m

The household member number on row 1 is not 1. No correction is made.

Warning: row n, household member number = m not sequential

They are expected to be increasing by one for each member of a household (CHECK-CENS sometimes does this if inserting a missing person.) No correction is made.

Error: row n, household member number = 0 not valid

This error is NOT corrected, it should be fixed and run again.

Error: row n, schedule number changed in middle of household

I don't know how this happens, but it does. This error is NOT corrected, it should be fixed and run again.

Error: row n, civil parish name missing

This can only occur in ALL mode where every value should be filled in. This error is NOT corrected, it should be fixed and run again.

Warning: row n, Eccl. District name missing

This can only occur for checked pieces. Every value should be filled in or marked -. A “-” is inserted.

Back to csv2dat documentation

Webmaster
The Parsons family home page.