How to Create a GEDCOM

Two weeks ago we talked a little bit about GEDCOMs.  Jim asked how we do it so I found a lesson that I can share with you about it.  This lesson was prepared by the Riverton (Utah) Family Search Library. The downloadable version is found on familysearch.org>Get Help>Search Icon>Other Resources>scroll down until you see GEDCOM.  Click on link to download and/or review.  You can also download it from this link in my dropbox.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ab5vpg9kv9535z2/Creating%20a%20GEDCOM%20File%20-%202014-08-27%20%281%29.pdf?dl=0

Here is the tinyurl for the same lesson. http://tinyurl.com/jj8f2a4

I am planning to add it to my source box because I can bet someone will ask how to do this someday and I want to be able to help them with it.

So what is a GEDCOM and why do we need it?  This is a system created by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to help transfer genealogical data from one program to another.  You can transfer all or a partial amount into a program that stores and organizes your genealogy.  It saves you from having to re-enter everything one person at a time.  It also helps you from making mistakes as you transcribe your data while inputing. 

You can also GEDCOM into some of the big databases.  Be very careful to add just a little at a time until you know what you are doing. When another person sends you a GEDCOM always enter it into a separate and new file until you know exactly what they have sent and what you want to use.  Be cautious but not fearful.  You do not want to commingle your data with theirs until you are sure.  It is very hard to untangle when that happens.  

As I mentioned two weeks ago, I heard that exact same admonition from a teacher years ago and it scared me half to death to even try it.  Remember me and my fear of making lumpy gravy because I wasn't stirring it the right way or fast enough?  I was married quite a while before I was brave enough to attempt it without my Mom at my side.   Don't do that...just be careful and follow the instructions.  If you come to a step you are not sure about, reinvestigate or ask someone. being mindful of what you re doing can eliminate the fear.

GEDCOM

This article came out today the on eogn newsletter.  http://www.eogn.com  There is a permanent link to Dick Eastman's blog on the side bar.  He allows and encourages sharing or re-blogging from his free newsletter so today I thought I would.  Note his links for clarification and the comments as well for help in understanding GEDCOM files and their limitations.  It also talks about some software not requiring a GEDCOM to transfer data.

  Dick Eastman

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How to Transfer Your Data from PAF and Other Programs to a New Program

A newsletter reader obviously read the recent article of Personal Ancestral File (PAF) Is Discontinued at http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2013/06/personal-ancestral-file-paf-is-discontinued.html and was worried about transferring her data to a new program. She wrote:

Do any of the new programs allow me to transfer my data direct from PAF or do I have to type all the data I already have to a new program?

I thought I would answer here in the newsletter in case anyone else has the same question.

In short, you do not have to re-type all your data on the keyboard. All of today's genealogy programs allow for direct import of data from any of today's other programs. They all use GEDCOM files. All of today's genealogy programs support GEDCOM. 

You can read more about GEDCOM at http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2008/08/gedcom-explaine.html.

GEDCOM does have some drawbacks, as explained in that article. However, it is still much, much better than re-typing everything again, as we all used to do back in the 1980s.

Posted by Dick Eastman on June 24, 2013 in Software | Permalink ShareThis

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Comments

David Pugmire said...
 

Many of these other apps import the PAF data file DIRECTLY, so that nothing is "lost" by doing export/import of GEDCOM. This includes media files (photos, etc). Such is the case with the apps suggested by FamilySearch, but there may be others as well.

Reply June 24, 2013 at 12:46 PM
 

Serena said...

I have a PAF add on called PAF Descend which neatly shows a family descendant listing with my notes after each person. I love it. I sure wish I could find a new software that would give the same listing.

Reply June 24, 2013 at 02:25 PM
 

ralph said...

PAF will continue to be operational as long as there PC's. In fact, it has not been updated since 2002. I intent to continue using it. 

Reply June 24, 2013 at 06:27 PM
 

 

Marci Delaney said...

Try Ancestral Quest - it was developed by the same people that developed PAF, so it feels rather the same. My PAF file loaded up just fine ten years ago when I switched!!! And Serena, I believe you will find that it does just what you are looking for in the "Print Books and Reports" section under the "FILE" heading. I use it all the time.

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