diff --git a/gramps2/src/DbLoader.py b/gramps2/src/DbLoader.py
index 6dd07abe9..d36833d76 100644
--- a/gramps2/src/DbLoader.py
+++ b/gramps2/src/DbLoader.py
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ Handling of loading new/existing databases.
 #
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 import os
-from bsddb.db import DBAccessError, DBRunRecoveryError, DBPageNotFoundError
+from bsddb.db import DBAccessError, DBRunRecoveryError, DBPageNotFoundError, DBInvalidArgError
 from gettext import gettext as _
 import logging
 log = logging.getLogger(".")
@@ -415,7 +415,15 @@ class DbLoader:
         else:
             mode = 'w'
 
-        dbclass = GrampsDb.gramps_db_factory(db_type = filetype)
+        try:
+            dbclass = GrampsDb.gramps_db_factory(db_type = filetype)
+        except GrampsDbException, msg:
+            QuestionDialog.ErrorDialog(
+                _("Could not open file: %s") % filename, 
+                _("This may be caused by an improper installation of GRAMPS.") +
+                "\n" + str(msg))
+            return
+                
         
         self.dbstate.change_database(dbclass(Config.get(Config.TRANSACTIONS)))
         self.dbstate.db.disable_signals()
@@ -440,7 +448,7 @@ class DbLoader:
                       "problem persists, create a new database, import "
                       "from a backup database, and report the problem to "
                       "gramps-bugs@lists.sourceforge.net."))
-        except (DBAccessError, DBPageNotFoundError), msg:
+        except (DBAccessError, DBPageNotFoundError,DBInvalidArgError), msg:
                 QuestionDialog.ErrorDialog(
                     _("Could not open file: %s") % filename,
                     str(msg[1]))
diff --git a/gramps2/src/DisplayState.py b/gramps2/src/DisplayState.py
index e9e53c07e..156c02950 100644
--- a/gramps2/src/DisplayState.py
+++ b/gramps2/src/DisplayState.py
@@ -121,11 +121,14 @@ class History(GrampsDb.GrampsDBCallback):
 
     def back(self,step=1):
         self.index -= step
-        person_handle = self.history[self.index]
-        if person_handle not in self.mhistory:
-            self.mhistory.append(person_handle)
-            self.emit('menu-changed',(self.mhistory,))
-        return str(self.history[self.index])
+        try:
+            person_handle = self.history[self.index]
+            if person_handle not in self.mhistory:
+                self.mhistory.append(person_handle)
+                self.emit('menu-changed',(self.mhistory,))
+            return str(self.history[self.index])
+        except IndexError:
+            return u""
 
     def at_end(self):
         return self.index+1 == len(self.history)
diff --git a/gramps2/src/Filters/SideBar/_PersonSidebarFilter.py b/gramps2/src/Filters/SideBar/_PersonSidebarFilter.py
index 04a1e7e21..c7fb7435d 100644
--- a/gramps2/src/Filters/SideBar/_PersonSidebarFilter.py
+++ b/gramps2/src/Filters/SideBar/_PersonSidebarFilter.py
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ import gtk
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 import GrampsWidgets
 import RelLib
+import DateHandler
 
 from _SidebarFilter import SidebarFilter
 from Filters.Rules.Person import *
@@ -92,11 +93,25 @@ class PersonSidebarFilter(SidebarFilter):
         self.generic.add_attribute(cell, 'text', 0)
         self.on_filters_changed('Person')
 
+#    def set(self, quality, modifier, calendar, value, text=None):
+
+        exdate1 = RelLib.Date()
+        exdate2 = RelLib.Date()
+        exdate1.set(RelLib.Date.QUAL_NONE, RelLib.Date.MOD_RANGE, RelLib.Date.CAL_GREGORIAN,
+                    (0,0,1800,False,0,0,1900,False))
+        exdate2.set(RelLib.Date.QUAL_NONE, RelLib.Date.MOD_BEFORE, RelLib.Date.CAL_GREGORIAN,
+                    (0,0,1850,False))
+
+        msg1 = DateHandler.displayer.display(exdate1)
+        msg2 = DateHandler.displayer.display(exdate2)
+
         self.add_text_entry(_('Name'), self.filter_name)
         self.add_text_entry(_('ID'), self.filter_id)
         self.add_entry(_('Gender'), self.filter_gender)
-        self.add_text_entry(_('Birth date'), self.filter_birth)
-        self.add_text_entry(_('Death date'), self.filter_death)
+        self.add_text_entry(_('Birth date'), self.filter_birth,
+                            _('example: "%s" or "%s"') % (msg1, msg2))
+        self.add_text_entry(_('Death date'), self.filter_death,
+                            _('example: "%s" or "%s"') % (msg1, msg2))
         self.add_entry(_('Event'), self.etype)
         self.add_entry(_('Marker'), self.mtype)
         self.add_text_entry(_('Note'), self.filter_note)
diff --git a/gramps2/src/Filters/SideBar/_SidebarFilter.py b/gramps2/src/Filters/SideBar/_SidebarFilter.py
index bd27c359e..e488ca482 100644
--- a/gramps2/src/Filters/SideBar/_SidebarFilter.py
+++ b/gramps2/src/Filters/SideBar/_SidebarFilter.py
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ class SidebarFilter:
         self.table.set_row_spacings(6)
         self.table.set_col_spacing(0,6)
         self.table.set_col_spacing(1,6)
+        self.tooltips = gtk.Tooltips()
         self._init_interface()
         uistate.connect('filters-changed',self.on_filters_changed)
         self.uistate = uistate
@@ -91,9 +92,11 @@ class SidebarFilter:
     def get_filter(self):
         pass
 
-    def add_text_entry(self, name, widget):
+    def add_text_entry(self, name, widget, tooltip=None):
         self.add_entry(name, widget)
         widget.connect('key-press-event',self.key_press)
+        if tooltip:
+            self.tooltips.set_tip(widget, tooltip)
 
     def key_press(self, obj, event):
         if event.keyval == _RETURN and not event.state:
diff --git a/gramps2/src/GrampsDb/_GrampsBSDDB.py b/gramps2/src/GrampsDb/_GrampsBSDDB.py
index a3f6f1fba..dc1a947e9 100644
--- a/gramps2/src/GrampsDb/_GrampsBSDDB.py
+++ b/gramps2/src/GrampsDb/_GrampsBSDDB.py
@@ -1209,8 +1209,11 @@ class GrampsBSDDB(GrampsDbBase,UpdateCallback):
         The function must be overridden in the derived class.
         """
         name = str(person.get_primary_name().get_surname())
-        if self.surnames.keys().count(name) == 1:
-            self.surname_list.remove(unicode(name))
+        try:
+            if self.surnames.keys().count(name) == 1:
+                self.surname_list.remove(unicode(name))
+        except ValueError:
+            pass
 
     def _get_obj_from_gramps_id(self,val,tbl,class_init,prim_tbl):
         if tbl.has_key(str(val)):