The acronym for GEnealogical Data COMmunications. GEDCOM is a data structure created by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for storing and exchanging genealogical information so that many different computer programs can use it. It is identified by the file type '.ged'.
GEDCOM files are text files that contain the information and linkages necessary to exchange genealogical data between two entities. The entities may use the same or different software application. Examples of these exchanges would include:
- Between two users of the same application - One family member sending new information from Legacy to another family member using Legacy.
- Between users of differing applications - A RootsMagic genealogist receiving information from someone using Family Tree Maker.
- From an Internet site to a local application - Downloading information from an internet site to your genealogical program which supports GEDCOM formatted files.
- Between a tree at Ancestry.com and a genealogical program.
- Downloading information from FamilySearch to a genealogical program via third-party software certified by FamilySearch.
- Uploading information from a genealogical program to Family Tree
Download GEDCOM Editor 1.2 for Mac from our software library for free. The software lies within Education Tools, more precisely Science. The size of the latest downloadable setup file is 585 KB. The bundle identifier for this app is de.dsitri.GEDCOMEditor. Our built-in antivirus scanned this Mac download and rated it as 100% safe. Gedcom mac free download. Gramps Gramps is a genealogy program for Linux, Windows, Mac, and FreeBSD that allows you to easily build a.
As a text-based file, it is easily transmitted as an attachment to e-mails or downloaded from web sites. The recipient then uses the 'Import' function of their application to include the GEDCOM file contents in their genealogy. Also, applications may be found on the web to print or manipulate individual GEDCOM files without importing them into applications.
For more detailed information, the full text of GEDCOM:
- The GEDCOM Standard Release 5.5.1 (Released: 2019-11-15) is available from FamilySearch as a PDF.
- The older GEDCOM Standard Release 5.5 (Released: 1996-01-10) is available online, courtesy of Rootsweb.
Uploading a GEDCOM to FamilySearch[edit | edit source]
- The GEDCOM Standard Release 5.5.1 (Released: 2019-11-15) is available from FamilySearch as a PDF.
- The older GEDCOM Standard Release 5.5 (Released: 1996-01-10) is available online, courtesy of Rootsweb.
Uploading a GEDCOM to FamilySearch[edit | edit source]
- Click here for instructions on how to upload a GEDCOM file to FamilySearch
Exporting a GEDCOM from FamilySearch[edit | edit source]
Gedcom Editor For Mac
Currently, a GEDCOM file cannot be exported directly from FamilySearch Family Tree. However, you can use partner programs of FamilySearch to get the data from FamilySearch Family Tree, and then create a GEDCOM file in those programs. Here is a list of the programs and the information for how to do this.
Users with a tiny bit of python experience might also try the script getmyancestors.
A GEDCOM file is a universal type of file that genealogists use to move data from one genealogy software program to another. Using these helpful tips below, you can open genealogy files your family members send to you, or share your data with others.
When and Why You Would Need to Open a GEDCOM File
A Genealogy Gems reader recently wrote:
I recently signed up for [the Genealogy Gems] newsletter. I received a CD from a relative with family history information that was set up through Family Tree Maker. I am currently not subscribed to any of the genealogy sites. My question is, how can I retrieve this information [from the CD.] Can you help?
The answer to the question is: Use another program to open the GEDCOM file from the CD. Let me show you how easy it is to open and create GEDCOM files.
GEDCOM Basics
GEDCOM is an acronym standing for Genealogical Data Communication. It is a universal genealogy file that allows you to exchange genealogical data between different genealogy software programs.
Because it is 'universal' in nature, a GEDCOM file can be read by many different types of genealogy software. That means, if you are using RootsMagic, you can still share all the data you have collected with your cousin who uses Family Tree Maker, and she will not have to type in all the names, dates, and places manually.
Occasionally, not all the information included in a GEDCOM file will transfer perfectly. There are differences in how that information is interpreted and some things, like notes and sources, may be affected. However, for the most part, much of it will transfer correctly.
How to Open a GEDCOM File
Our reader needs to open a GEDCOM file contained on the CD he was sent. To do this, he must have a program on his computer that will read a GEDCOM file. There is an option I would like to share with you.
RootsMagic is a downloadable software for both Mac and PC users. (And, it is the one we here at The Genealogy Gems Podcast use! That's why we accepted them as a sponsor of the podcast.)
Once you have downloaded RootsMagic to your computer, open it. At the top left corner, click on File and from the pull-down menu, choose Import.
Gedcom Viewer For Mac
Now, a new pop-up window will open and ask from what source you would like to import from. You will notice several options, but for our reader's question, he will choose the GEDCOM option.
Then, choose I know where the file is, and the file explorer window will appear. In this case, our reader would click on the CD that he has loaded into his computer's disk drive, and follow the prompts to open the GEDCOM file. All that information his relative sent him will be slurped into RootsMagic and he can easily look through the pedigree of his family.
Creating a GEDCOM to Share with Others
RootsMagic also allows you to create a GEDCOM file. This is what you would send to your relatives when they would like to have a copy of the family tree.
To do this, open RootsMagic. Click on File, as we did before, and this time choose Export from the pull-down options.
The export box will pop-up. You can choose what you wish to have included in this export. I typically choose Everyone, but you can do yours by family names by clicking on the down arrow next to Everyone and choosing Select from list.
Once you have clicked OK, the GEDCOM file is ready to be saved to your computer. Save the file on your desktop or somewhere you will be able to locate it again. Remember to name the file and pay attention to where you are saving it!
Creating a GEDCOM from Ancestry.com
If you have stored your genealogy data at Ancestry.com, you may be interested to know that you can create a GEDCOM file for your family tree there as well. It's just a matter of signing into your Ancestry account, locating the Tree Settings, and then clicking Export. I found a nice article outlining the steps on how to do that here.
Protecting Your GEDCOM Files
Ged.com For Mac
Creating a GEDCOM is also a great way to save or backup your hours and hours of family history research. One of the saddest tales of genealogists everywhere is losing their computer or printed family files with all that work!
GEDCOM files can be saved to a hard drive, saved to an external unit, emailed, put on a thumb drive, or uploaded to the Cloud. You can also invest in a company like Backblaze, the official backup of The Genealogy Gems Podcast, that will automatically backup all your files. (Read more about Backblaze, here.) All of these methods protect you and your genealogy.
More on Protecting Your Genealogical Data
Gedcom For Android
Learn more about Backblaze, The Genealogy Gems Podcast's first choice when it comes to backing up precious genealogy research and personal files. Read the article's below and determine if Backblaze is the answer you've been looking for.
