GEDCOM Basics

Found at About.com

If you've spent much time on the web researching your family tree, then it is likely that you've either downloaded a GEDCOM file from the internet or received one from a fellow researcher via email or disk. So now you have a family tree which may contain vital clues to your ancestors and your computer can't seem to open it. What to do?

HOW TO OPEN & READ A GEDCOM FILE

1. Is it really a GEDCOM? Begin by ensuring that the file you want to open is truly a GEDCOM file, and not a family tree file created in some proprietary format by a genealogy software program. A file is in GEDCOM format when it ends in the extension .ged. If the file ends with the extension .zip then it has been zipped (compressed) and needs to be unzipped first. See Handling Zipped Files.
2. Save the GEDCOM File to your computer. Whether you are downloading the file from the Internet or opening it as an email attachment, the first thing you should do is save the file to a folder on your hard drive. If you're saving it from email you may want to scan it for viruses first before saving to your hard drive (see Step 3).
3. Scan the GEDCOM for viruses. Once you have the file saved to your computer hard drive, it is time to scan it for viruses using your antivirus software program. Even if you know the person who sent you the GEDCOM file, it is better to be safe than sorry.
4. Make a backup of your existing genealogy database. If you have a family tree file on your computer you should always make sure you have a recent backup before opening a new GEDCOM file. This will allow you to revert to your original file in case something goes wrong when you're opening/importing the GEDCOM file.
5. Open the GEDCOM file with your genealogy software. Do you have a genealogy software program? If so, then begin your family tree program and close any open family tree project. Then follow the program's instructions for opening/importing a GEDCOM file. Be sure to look at the GEDCOM file by itself first, rather than opening or merging it directly into your own family tree database. It is much harder to figure out how to remove unwanted people, than it is to add new people later after you have reviewed the new GEDCOM file.

GENERIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR OPENING A GEDCOM FILE
(This works for most family tree software programs. See your program's help file for more specific instructions.)

1. Launch your family tree program and close any open genealogy files.
2. In the top-left hand corner of your screen, click the File menu.
3. Select either Open, Import or Import GEDCOM.
4. If .ged is not already highlighted in the "file type" box, then scroll down and select GEDCOM or .ged.
5. Browse to the location on your computer where you save your GEDCOM files and select the file that you want to open.The program will create a new genealogy database containing the information from the GEDCOM. Enter a filename for this new database, making sure that is one that you can distinguish from your own files. Example: 'powellgedcom'Click Save or Import.The program may then ask you to make a few choices regarding the import of your GEDCOM file. Just follow the directions. If you're not sure what to select, then just stick with the default options.Click OK.A confirmation box may appear stating that your import was successful.You should now be able to read the GEDCOM file in your genealogy software program as a regular family tree file.

OTHER WAYS TO OPEN A GEDCOM FILE

If you don't have a genealogy software program you can still open and read GEDCOM files. Many free and shareware programs are available which allow you to easily open and view GEDCOM files.

HOW TO CREATE & SHARE A GEDCOM FILE

Do you want to share your family tree file with friends, family, or fellow researchers? Unless they use the same genealogy software program as you they will not be able to open and read your family file unless you send it to them in GEDCOM format. The same goes for most online pedigree databases which only accept family tree submissions in GEDCOM format. Learning to save your family tree as a GEDCOM file will make it much easier to share your family tree and connect with fellow researchers.

HOW TO SAVE YOUR FAMILY TREE AS A GEDCOM FILE

All major family tree software programs support the creation of GEDCOM files. Creating a GEDCOM file does not overwrite you existing data or change your existing file in any way. Instead, a new file is generated by a process known as "exporting." Exporting a GEDCOM file is easy to do with any family tree software by following the basic instructions below. You can also find more detailed instructions in your genealogy software's manual or help system. You should also be sure to remove private information such as birth dates and social security numbers for people in your family tree who are still living in order to protect their privacy.

GENERIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR CREATING A GEDCOM FILE

(This works for most family tree software programs.)

1. Launch your family tree program and open your genealogy file.
2. In the top-left hand corner of your screen, click the File menu.
3. Select either Export or Save as...
4. Change the Save As Type or Destination drop-down box to GEDCOM or .GED.
5. Select the location where you'd like to save your file (make sure it's one you can easily remember)
6. Enter a filename such as 'smithfamilytree' (the program will automatically add the .ged extension)
7. Click Save or Export.
8. Some type of confirmation box will appear stating that your export has succeeded.
9. Click OK. (If your genealogy software program does not have the ability to protect the privacy of living individuals, then try a GEDCOM privatizing programs to filter the details of living people from your original GEDCOM file.) Your file is now ready to share with others (see below).

HOW TO SHARE A GEDCOM FILE

Once you have created a GEDCOM file you can now easily share it with others via email, floppy disk/CD, or the Internet.

• To share your GEDCOM file via email you will need to send it as an attachment to your email. Be sure to include a short note in your email telling the recipient what to expect in the attachment so that they won't delete it as a potential virus-laden attachment. You may also want to attach brief instructions on how to open the file or point them to my instructions on How to Open a GEDCOM File.
• To share your GEDCOM file via snail mail you will need to save it to a floppy disk or burn it onto a CD.
• You can also share your GEDCOM file with others online by uploading to one of the many pedigree databases which exist on the web. The best of these promise not to sell your information for profit and allow for easy searching for matches against the names in your family tree.