How about smaller changes, like giving one of the starting units an extra point of exp?

Do you get any errors if you look at the family tree before hitting end turn? Have you added any adult male family members declared as dead?

Have you tried moving one of the existing family member's armies to the coordinates where you're trying to add a new army?

Adding character, character_record, and relative entries can be a bit tricky because in some places you must use spaces and in others tabs.

ps: It's much easier to diagnose problems if there is some code to look at.