GEDCOM Dilemma!
What is a GEDCOM? "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." [1]
Do I need a GEDCOM? Yes! You need a GEDCOM file of the genealogical information you collect in either an online or computer based program. Saving a GEDCOM file serves as an essential backup of the information you have collected. If you have not already downloaded and/or saved a copy, do it today.
What can I do with my GEDCOM file? In addition to saving a copy of your work, you can also use a copy of your GEDCOM file to share information with another program or individual. Every program is different. If you would like assistance with downloading, uploading or sharing your GEDCOM file, let me know.
How can I be sure my GEDCOM is archived and stored for future generations? There are two ways you can preserve your file. Both are free. The first is through FamilySearch owned and run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City. It is not necessary to be a Mormon to use this service.
If you have Jewish ancestry, you can upload your GEDCOM to Beit Hatfutsot, The Museum of the Jewish People, in Tel Aviv, where they preserve The Family Tree of the Jewish People and make it available to onsite researchers. JewishGen hosts The Family Tree of the Jewish People online as a resource for Jewish genealogy research. You can read more about thejoint venture of The Family Tree of the Jewish People on JewishGen.org.
What if I haven't begun to build a tree in any software program? There are several free options including:
Which company should I use and where should I upload my GEDCOM? If you have Jewish ancestry, my preference is The Family Tree of the Jewish People. My recommendation before sharing your GEDCOM with anyone is to be sure you read and understand the terms and conditions of the service provider, in this case the archiver and sharer of your GEDCOM. If you are sharing with a relative or an individual, be sure you have an agreement in place about how the information contained in your GEDCOM will be used.
[1] FamilySearch, GEDCOM (https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/GEDCOM : accessed 17 June 2015).
Do I need a GEDCOM? Yes! You need a GEDCOM file of the genealogical information you collect in either an online or computer based program. Saving a GEDCOM file serves as an essential backup of the information you have collected. If you have not already downloaded and/or saved a copy, do it today.
What can I do with my GEDCOM file? In addition to saving a copy of your work, you can also use a copy of your GEDCOM file to share information with another program or individual. Every program is different. If you would like assistance with downloading, uploading or sharing your GEDCOM file, let me know.
How can I be sure my GEDCOM is archived and stored for future generations? There are two ways you can preserve your file. Both are free. The first is through FamilySearch owned and run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City. It is not necessary to be a Mormon to use this service.
If you have Jewish ancestry, you can upload your GEDCOM to Beit Hatfutsot, The Museum of the Jewish People, in Tel Aviv, where they preserve The Family Tree of the Jewish People and make it available to onsite researchers. JewishGen hosts The Family Tree of the Jewish People online as a resource for Jewish genealogy research. You can read more about thejoint venture of The Family Tree of the Jewish People on JewishGen.org.
What if I haven't begun to build a tree in any software program? There are several free options including:
- MyHeritage in conjunction with Beit Hatfutsot
- Family Echo with Beit Hatfutsot
- MyHeritage in conjunction with JewishGen
- FamilySearch.org
Which company should I use and where should I upload my GEDCOM? If you have Jewish ancestry, my preference is The Family Tree of the Jewish People. My recommendation before sharing your GEDCOM with anyone is to be sure you read and understand the terms and conditions of the service provider, in this case the archiver and sharer of your GEDCOM. If you are sharing with a relative or an individual, be sure you have an agreement in place about how the information contained in your GEDCOM will be used.
[1] FamilySearch, GEDCOM (https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/GEDCOM : accessed 17 June 2015).
