WHAT IS A GEDCOM FILE?
There are many genealogical software programs on the market which researchers can choose. When you enter your family history data into one of these programs, it stores your data in a complex database structure which only that program can read. Thus, in general, LegacyFamily Tree cannot read the database created by RootsMagic; and Family Tree Maker cannot read the database created by Legacy. (With their newer releases, however, a few genealogy programs are able to read data directly from other programs.)
When they created Personal Ancestral File (PAF), one of the earliest genealogical programs, the Family History Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS—the Mormons) developed a way to move family data from one program to another. The idea was to create a simple format for writing the data in a basic text file—so simple that all genealogical software developers could include in their programs the ability to read or write a file in this format.
They called this format GEDCOM—Genealogical Data Communications.
WHAT DO I DO WITH A GEDCOM FILE?
There are two basic uses for a GEDCOM file:
- To move family data from one genealogy program to another, e.g., to share data with others who do not have your software
- To upload family data to an Internet website
HOW DO I CREATE A GEDCOM FILE?
Virtually every genealogical program today can read and write a GEDCOM file. To create a GEDCOM file using your software program, first finalize all of the data in your file so that it is as good as it can be before you create your GEDCOM file.
From the File menu in your program, select the “Export GEDCOM File” option. (The exact mechanics of this will vary from program to program.) If given choices by your program, select the options that you wish to use in creating your GEDCOM file. Give your GEDCOM file a name and remember where you are saving the file. A GEDCOM file automatically has a file type of “.ged.” Usually you will use your primary family surname to identify the file. So your GEDCOM file will probably be called [yourfamilyname].ged. Finally, click the “Save” or “OK” button and wait for the program to write your GEDCOM file.
When you create a GEDCOM file to load on the internet you will want to “privatize” living people. This is a simple precaution to prevent people from using your data for the identity theft of living people. Most programs will include this option. Even if your software does not, the program that copies your data to the internet website will also include an option to privatize living people. The result is that the name of a living person will be hidden, and no information about that person (no genealogical facts) will be posted.
If you are creating a GEDCOM file to send to a relative or to a known researcher, you probably do not want to privatize anybody. The person receiving your data will probably want to have all of the names and facts of everybody, including living people. So look at those GEDCOM options and use your best judgment.
TRANSFERRING FAMILY HISTORY DATA INTO ANOTHER PROGRAM
Perhaps you have decided to change your genealogy software from Program-A to Program-B, but you don’t want to lose all of the family information that you have entered into Program-A. What to do? The answer is GEDCOM.
Use Program-A to create a GEDCOM file of your family data as outlined above. In this case, you will want to include everybody in your database in the GEDCOM output file. Then, open Program-B and tell it to read the GEDCOM file that you created using Program-A. Now you can see all of your family data in the new program. Once you test it to be sure that everything, including all of your notes and sources, has been transferred properly, you can safely delete your old program.
However, note that GEDCOM files are text only. They will NOT transfer photos or documents. Before you delete anything, be sure you have all those media files stored and linked properly!
Perhaps you have some family data that you want to share with a family member or another researcher. How will you get the data to them? You may not even know (or care) what program they are using. The answer, again, is GEDCOM. Create your GEDCOM file, perhaps selecting only one branch or selected families from your entire database. You can then either copy this GEDCOM file to a USB drive or an online cloud storage area, like Dropbox, or e-mail it as an attached file to the person who will be receiving the data.
If you are moving a GEDCOM file into your genealogy program, never import it directly into your main database. Always create a new (temporary) database and import the GEDCOM into that. You can then review what’s there before you move the data into your main file. You don’t want to move someone else’s errors into your research!
LETTING OTHERS FIND YOU
Another major use for a GEDCOM file is to post your family history information on the internet. The most significant reason to do this is to allow other genealogists who are researching your family lines to find you. When you post your family history onto a website, you also include your contact information with that data. This enables other researchers to find you and to send you email messages.
Another good reason to post your data to the internet is so that you can use it, for example, at any library in the world that has internet access. So, if you don’t have your detailed family history data with you, you can still see what information you have.
And finally, the internet makes a good backup for your data. In the event that your computer crashes, you can download a GEDCOM file from the internet and re-load it into your repaired (or new) computer.
You will need to decide where on the internet you will post your family history information. There are many choices, including (in alphabetical order):
- Ancestry.com, a commercial site
- FamilySearch, the genealogical site managed by the FamilySearch library in Salt Lake City
- GeneaNet: a free site
- MyHeritage.com, a commercial site
Most of the DNA websites also encourage you to create family trees, and they will accept GEDCOM transfers.
TO LEARN MORE…
The society has written a booklet outlining GEDCOM and its uses in greater detail. This monograph is free to StLGS members as a PDF download and available for purchase in our online store.
Last modified: 02-Oct-2026 15:07
