So you mean you changed the tech tree in the xml but they still used the minor race tech tree?
Yes, I modified the raceconfig.xml to give them different tech trees and assigned starting techs, but they still used the minor race tech tree for some reason, plus they did not have the starting techs that I assigned to them.
yes it quite possible just don't forget add the ethics stuff otherwise it won't load.
I did have the ethic techs in the custom tech tree. I basically just added a few techs to the minor race tech tree, and also removed a few techs. The techs I removed and replaced were the economy, industrial, and research improvement branches.