A GEDCOM file contains genealogical records saved in the GEnealogical Data COMmunications format. It includes family history and event data, along with metadata. GEDCOM files often have information on...
A GEDCOM file contains genealogical records saved in the GEnealogical Data COMmunications format. It includes family history and event data, along with metadata. GEDCOM files often have information on births, deaths, marriages, children, and relatives’ attributes. The standard “.ged” extension indicates a GEDCOM format file. Hundreds of software products can read and write GEDCOM files. Users share files for collaboration, reports, charts, analysis, and other purposes. The format allows importing, exporting, and control of the original copy between applications.
The GEDCOM format solves managing genealogical data across software. FamilySearch proposed standardized tags and layouts to share family trees in files. The text format usually uses the “.ged” extension. Any operating system can open these files given compatible software like GEDitCOM or Ancestral Author. Other Linux applications also support “.gedcom” files.
The Windows GEDCOM Validator or Gedcheck validate GEDCOM file structure, but aren’t standalone. The PhpGedView project includes a GEDCOM validator, though not standalone. GEDCOM files classify as Data Files, compatible on Linux, Mac, and Windows. LifeLines software best manages GEDCOM files, though 4 other programs handle them too.
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