What is a GEDCOM?

You can receive (import) or share (export) PAF information with other people or genealogy programs. To import or export information, Personal Ancestral File uses a computer file called a GEDCOM. GEDCOM stands for Genealogical Data Communications. It is a type of file that takes genealogy information from one program and compresses it into a standard format which can be transferred into any other genealogy program. It was developed by the Family and Church History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to provide a flexible, uniform format for exchanging genealogical data. Most other genealogy programs use GEDCOM files as well. Importing and exporting a GEDCOM file is usually the best way to receive or send your genealogical information.

Where and How to get a GEDCOM file

GEDCOM files will either be given to you, or you'll have to create them yourself. They can be found or made from the following sources:

• Family PAF files

• Various databases (i.e. Ancestral File or International Genealogical Index)

• Other genealogical management programs (i.e. Legacy or Family Tree Maker)

To make a GEDCOM file from a computer database (this will vary with each database):

1. When you have found the genealogical information you wish to copy, look for a button or instruction for copying or exporting the information to a GEDCOM.

2. Follow the steps for that particular database (choosing the number of generations, etc).

3. You will eventually be asked to save your information. Save it on a disk so that you can take it with you.

4. After completing steps 1-3, follow the instructions below for importing your GEDCOM.

To make a GEDCOM file from an online database:

1. When you have found your information, look for a link that says "GEDCOM" or "download GEDCOM", or something similar, and click it.

2. You will be asked where to save the information. Save it on a disk, so that you can take it with you.

3. Then follow the instructions below for importing your GEDCOM.

Online databases you have learned that you could make a GEDCOM from:

• Ancestral File -you must be at the pedigree screen; you can only save 4 generations at a time.

• International Genealogical Index -click the empty box next to the name and follow the instructions.

• Social Security Death Index -click the empty box next to the name and follow the instructions.

• Vital Records Index- click the empty box next to the name and follow the instructions.

• Other websites- each will be different; use the general process listed above.

If you have received a GEDCOM from a family member, begin with the instructions for importing GEDCOM files.

Importing GEDCOM Files Into Your PAF Data

Before you import, keep in mind that if your PAF files and your GEDCOM are on two separate floppy disks, PAF will not allow you to switch disks while importing your GEDCOM. You will need to save either your GEDCOM, PAF file, or both, to the hard drive, “C:\”. If you are importing a large GEDCOM, (over 7 generations), the process goes much faster if all files are on the “C” drive.

To import the GEDCOM file into your PAF:

1. Enter PAF and open your existing PAF file. If you do not have a PAF file you must create a new one before you can import your GEDCOM.

2. In PAF, choose the import option either by clicking on the import icon (note that the arrow is pointing into the file) or by clicking FILE then IMPORT.

3. Select the drive your GEDCOM is saved on and select your file from the list.

4. Click IMPORT.

5. The next screen gives you several options including whether or not to import notes. Leave the settings as they are and click OK.

6. When complete, a window will appear with information about your GEDCOM. If there were any problems they will be listed here. Problems will show up if PAF doesn’t understand things like “temple codes” or unknown ages. Close this window.

7. The next small window tells you how many individuals and marriages were imported. Click OK.

You have now added the individuals from your GEDCOM file into your PAF file. Now you need to link the individuals imported from the GEDCOM to the individuals you already had in your PAF database.

Linking the Imported Data and using the Match/Merge Feature

How you proceed (after importing a GEDCOM) depends on whether or not you now have duplicate individuals (meaning you have two records for the same person) in your PAF database.

Option 1: You imported NO DUPLICATE NAMES into your PAF database. Suppose that before you searched Ancestral File you entered yourself and your father into your PAF database. Then suppose that you found your grandfather in the Ancestral File so you made a GEDCOM for him and imported it into your PAF file. Since no one from the GEDCOM matched anyone already existing in your PAF records, you have no duplicate names in your PAF database.

To create the link between your father and your grandfather (as an example):

1. In the Family View, place your father in the primary position and double-click the blank box where his father should go (remember that fathers are on top; mothers are on the bottom) or with you father highlighted, click ADD, then FATHER.

2. A screen appears asking you if you want to add a new individual or select an existing individual. Since you just imported your father's father into the database, click SELECT EXISTING INDIVIDUAL.

3. Click INDIVIDUAL LIST to see a list of all the people in your database.

4. Scroll through the list or type the first few letters of the last name.

5. Highlight your father's father then click OK.

Option 2: You imported DUPLICATE NAMES into your PAF database. If you downloaded a GEDCOM file containing individuals already on your PAF disk, you have duplicate names in your PAF database. You must merge the duplicate records.

Merge the duplicate individuals using Match/Merge . Learn how to use the match and merge feature by going to FamilySearch.org's lessons on PAF.

Click here to go to the web site, then click on Lesson 6: Match / Merge  and review steps 1-10.

Exporting GEDCOM Files from PAF

To create a GEDCOM file from your own PAF file, you must use the export option. Learn how to export a GEDCOM to specific databases such as Pedigree Resource File and TempleReady by going to FamilySearch.org's lessons of PAF

Click here to go to the web site, then click on Lesson 5: Sharing Files and review steps 7-14.

For more information on Exporting, including exporting multimedia:

• FamilySearch.org's Lessons on PAF. Click here, then click on Lesson 5: Sharing Files and review steps 1-3, 9.
• Center for Family History and Genealogy's PAF Tutorial. Click here and review the sections about Exporting and Filters.

Assignments

Your instructor may assign you the following assignment:

Assignment #9 -- GEDCOM from Ancestral File

1. Click here to open FamilySearch.org. Click on search.

2. Click Ancestral File on the left of the screen.

3. Type in an ancestor's first name and last name, then click search. Remember: you will not find living people in this file.

4. Review the results and find your ancestor or an individual of interest and click their name. You will be taken to the Individual View. (If you do not find any ancestors in Ancestral File, search for someone with the same surname. If you still do not find anyone, search for Thomas Jefferson, born in 1743 in Virginia. At step 8, import your information into a blank PAF file instead of your own.

5. To view the pedigree, click Pedigree.

6. When you reach the pedigree screen, click Download GEDCOM.

7. You will be asked to open or save the file. SAVE the file on your hard drive or disk.

8. Use what you have learned above and import your file into PAF. Then do any match/merging that is needed.

9. Print a pedigree chart from PAF of the 4 generations you imported.