GEDCOM is an acronym for Genealogical Data Communication. GEDCOM is also the name of a standard programming specification usually referred to as the “GEDCOM Standard" created by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and FamilySearch as the specifications of a file standard used for exchanging genealogical data between different desktop genealogical family tree software and websites.
How GEDCOMs are used
Electronically recorded family trees contain valuable historical and genealogical information. With FamilySearch GEDCOM, users can import, export, preserve, maintain, and share their genealogical information.
Different computer operating systems and programs have different ways of storing genealogical information. The GEDCOM Standard is a way to translate information in different programs into a common format that can be shared between operating systems and computers.
The primary purpose of GEDCOM is to allow people to share genealogical information in different desktop and online programs with each other. However, both programs need to recognize the GEDCOM Standard.
Why and how was the GEDCOM Standard developed
Rapid advances in technology over the years allowed the developers of genealogical software and websites to incorporate digitized documents, photographs, and sophisticated search options. However, many genealogists who use these features are interested in local ownership and control of their personal family history information and despite the proliferation of online family tree websites, there is still a significant reliance on local desktop programs. The GEDCOM Standard was developed to create a commonly accepted way to exchange genealogical data between different operating systems and online websites.
The need for a standard family tree file format became apparent when the first desktop computers were introduced circa 1974 with the Altair 8800. As these computers became more powerful, two main competing operating systems developed: Microsoft Windows and Apple OS. As far as genealogical data was concerned, there was no practical way to connect two computers together or exchange genealogical data between competing systems. It became apparent almost immediately with the development of more sophisticated genealogy software that there needed to be a way to transfer the data from one computer to another, i.e., from one desktop computer to another and from one operating system to another such as from DOS/Windows to the Apple OS.
The GEDCOM Standard Specifications are designed to be used by programmers when modifying their own programs and websites to share information between different genealogy software and websites. The first version of the GEDCOM Standard was released in 1984. Version 7.0 of the Standard was released in 2021. Additional versions of the GEDCOM Standard are constantly under development to implement additional changes and advances in genealogy software. FamilySearch is still the owner of both the GEDCOM Copyright and the Trademark.
How to use GEDCOM
The primary purpose of GEDCOM is to facilitate sharing family trees on different computer programs or websites. If you need to share your genealogical information with someone who has a different genealogy program or uses a different website, your genealogical information can be downloaded using the GEDCOM Standard and then shared. The other person can then upload the information into their own program. Of course, both software programs need to support using the GEDCOM Standard.
How do I download or upload a GEDCOM file?
A GEDCOM file is a text file of instructions to a genealogy desktop program or website. Each desktop program or website that supports the GEDCOM Standard has its own instructions for downloading your data or uploading your data. You must investigate each program to see if they support uploading or downloading GEDCOM data.
How do I open a GEDCOM file?
GEDCOM files are text files and can be opened with any program that will open a text file, such as a word processor. However, because GEDCOM is a series of instructions to other computer programs, the GEDCOM file must be uploaded to a program or website that supports the GEDCOM Standard to see all the contents of the file. A GEDCOM file has the file extension of .ged.
GEDCOM Version 7.0 with GEDZip and later versions support sending copies of attachments and exhibits. Future revisions will refine this option and add additional features. GEDZip compresses the attachments and exhibits from one genealogy program so they can be used in a different program.
See also
Explore more about GEDCOM
- Here are some helpful resources for learning more about the GEDCOM Standard:
- Import & Export GEDCOM on the MyHeritage Help Center
- How do I export a GEDCOM file from the Family Tree Builder? on the MyHeritage Help Center
- Why There Is a GEDCOM Standard and Why We Need a New Version 7.0. by James Tanner at Genealogy's Star blog
- GEDCOM Standard Release 5.5 and 5.5.1 at Family Historian User Group Knowledge Base
- Genealogical Data Exchange at FamilySearch GEDCOM
- The GEDCOM Standard at Department of Information Technology
- What Is a GEDCOM File at Who Do You Think You Are Magazine