GEDCOM and Web 2.0 

Data Integrity

GEDCOM Family History data corruption usually occurs when the software application or the operating system crashes while the .GED data file is open in memory. In most cases, headers or parts of the data file are not saved to disk causing the data corruption or the application to fail.

GEDCOM will soon be replaced by XML (extensible markup language), which is related to HTML (hypertext markup language), the language of the World Wide Web. XSLT is the Extensible Stylesheet Language for Transformations, is an official recommendation of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). It provides a flexible, powerful language for transforming XML documents into something else.

The GEDCOM file format is a standard format for family history files.

Translating from one program's database to GEDCOM is sort of the same as translating from one spoken language to another . Then, when translating to the third language (the receiving genealogy program's database), more translation losses creep in. GenBridge technology reads data from one program directly into a second program without requiring a "double translation" via GEDCOM.

Amazon Spotlight 

Family Tree Maker 2008

Family Tree Maker 2008 Essentials Edition is designed to help beginners find results fast. One month of premium access to ancestry.com is included.

Family Tree Maker 2008 Essentials [OLD VERSION]

Amazon Price: $19.95 (as of 12/02/2008)

Create heirloom-quality books using the new Ancestry Press self-publishing tool. Administrator privileges are required to properly install the program on Windows XP and Windows Vista. The ability to import data from other genealogy programs, including Personal Ancestral File, The Master Genealogist, and Legacy Family Tree.

GenTech, GedML, XML, Perl, html 

Decide what you want to find out in a Library Catalog

GEDCOM: The Next Generation by Gary B. Hoffman

GedML is a way of encoding genealogical data sets in XML. Mirrored at Oasis The GENTECH Lexicon Working Group is developing LexML, which is a combination of the elements found in the GENTECH Genealogical Data Model and the Text Encoding Initiative (TEI).

GEDCOM 101 - How to Open and Read a GEDCOM File

Learn how to open and read family tree files saved in GEDCOM format.

GEDCOM 101 - How to Create and Share a GEDCOM File

Learn what a GEDCOM file is, how it works, how to create one, how to read one and more

Perl, GEDCOM, and Mail Lists 

Perl is a stable, cross platform programming language.

php GedView, is an open-source project that uses PHP instead of Perl and offers far more functionality (wiki). Version 3 it maintained both MySQL and a non-database index mode. From version 4 on, it works only with a database. Version 4 of php GedView is now available.

GEDCOM uses a lineage-linked data model. MARC uses a MySQL relational database to store its messages and Perl to access the data. These are an interchange format for bibliographic data. Ask your ISP. If you have Perl installed on your home computer (standard with Unix, Linux, Mac OS X), you can use PerlGed locally. PerlGed is a work in progress, so it doesn't handle all GEDCOM tags yet. Formatted tags ensure that the original file can be regenerated.

PerlGed is a script that creates Web pages based on info from a GEDCOM file. Nearly all genealogy programs today can export information in the GEDCOM format, creating a single plain-text file. PerlGed pulls information from such a file and creates Web pages "on the fly" to display individual and family records and simple ancestor/descendant charts. Major sites like RootsWeb.com or GenCircles will let you upload a GEDCOM file and then create Web pages from them. Other programs let you generate customizable Web pages from a GEDCOM file.

Vista Downloads 

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Exporting Files 

GEDCOM transfers: GEDCOM is a standard, not a program.

GEDCOMS are best suited for opening with a family tree software program or a special GEDCOM viewer. Tags can also serve as pointers, which indicate a related individual, family or source within the same GEDCOM file.

The biological relationships of parents and children are also handled well by current products (GenTech). This GedCom file can be read by the import utility of these same software packages, allowing you to merge your data with the data of someone else. GEDmark makes it very easy to record source information before you import a GEDCOM file that you may have received from someone or somewhere else.

The effectiveness of GEDCOM varies greatly. The GENTECH GEDCOM TestBook project offers more details. The scorecard presents the results obtained in the Gedcom Testbook evaluation process in a numerical format allowing the user determine, to some degree, how well a Gedcom file from one program will import into a different program.

In general, the "BMDB" (birth, marriage, death, and burial) information is effectively transferred from every program to every program. Online since 1991 Genserv, is a collection point for Family History GEDCOM datafiles with over 22.4 million individuals and data on-line in 15,800+ different databases.

World Vital Records has opened up FamilyLink.com to the public. For the first time in history, you can list all the cities where your ancestors lived or connect to other family history researchers in any location in the world is a very compelling reason for people to sign up for FamilyLink.

Amazon Spotlight 

See Your Family in a Global Perspective

When places are imported or entered by hand, Family Atlas automatically geocodes the place by matching it against the 3.5 million name world place database included with Family Atlas.

Family Atlas Genealogy Mapping Software

Amazon Price: $29.95 (as of 12/02/2008)

Add your own sets of custom markers to the map. Markers make it easy to visually see migrations or clusters in your family data. Family Atlas lets you import your family data directly from RootsMagic or other genealogy software, and then create markers based on that data. Or you can select a place and have Family Atlas show all the events from your database that are within a certain distance of that place.

GEDCOM Upload / Submission 

Programs will convert your GEDCOM into organized, linked web sites.

The WorldGenWeb Project is a non-profit, volunteer based organization dedicated to providing genealogical and historical records and resources for world-wide access. With RootsWeb, the World GenWeb for kids is designed to help young people trace their roots. Includes interactive boards and e-mail discussion list.

Query Boards are now at Ancestry.com .

Many genealogy programs have a webpage building feature that allows the user to create a web site right from the program without the use of a GEDCOM to HTML program. MyHeritage/Family Tree Builder runs in 15 languages and lets you create and print your family tree in several languages. MyHeritage Family Pages lets you create your family's own meeting place on the Internet.

Family Tree Maker requires that you put your family information on their server. You can easily create your own family tree website by uploading your GEDCOM file. Pedigree charts can be confusing and time consuming to fill out on paper. FamilyInHistory organizes all of your information into an easy-to-read family tree. With the dates in your GEDCOM file, you will have a timeline for each person, including birth, death, marriages, and children. Free space is provided by GenCircles but subscription required to contact other users. Facility to upload, and search, GEDCOM files.

HTML Family Tree Generator is a pair of CGI scripts that create views of a family tree from a supplied data file. With FamilyTreeGuide -this data file is a simple text file that lists family members, parents, and other details. Users can show a tree of ancestors and descendants for any person with any number of generations. The program can also show email directories, birthdays, and more.

A OneFamilyTree is a tree created including Ancestors, Descendants, Family, Compact and TimeLine Charts with Photos when a GEDCOM file is imported. The Family History Research board brings extensibility to posting queries using simple MS word-like interface so to create HTML pages.

Amazon Spotlight 

American Ancestry

A directory of American state, county & town records sources. Includes a map of each state showing county locations. Census records and indexes are discussed for each state, including territorial and state (non-federal) censuses.

Ancestry's Red Book: American State, County & Town Sources, Third Revised Edition

Amazon Price: $32.97 (as of 12/02/2008)

A reference compiled on United States research, Red Book genealogy into the 21st century and builds of the best libraries among publications and archives in the United States. The availability of census records such as federal, state, and territorial census reports is covered in detail.

GEDCOM Upload /Submission 

Ancestry.com - Upload GEDCOM Now

Using the GEDCOM format will allow you to freely exchange your data. You will need a genealogy program to create a GEDCOM file.

FamilySearch.org - Family History and Genealogy Records

Billions of free family tree, family history, ancestry, genealogy and census records.

WorldConnect Project -- Connecting the World One GEDCOM at Time

Netscape version 6.0 has a bug that impacts the downloading of GEDCOM files. If you use version 6.0 when you download a GEDCOM, you will get a copy of the WorldConnect Global Search page instead of the GEDCOM (family tree file).

Genealogy.com - Family Tree Maker Family History Software and Historical Records

Visit Genealogy.com to discover and preserve your family's unique story. Buy Family Tree Maker, the #1 selling family history software. Access online data collections and CDs for vital historical records to fill the gap in your family tree research.

Family Tree, Family History, Find Your Past, UK | Findmypast.com

Family history research online. Create your family tree using birth, marriage and death indexes, census returns and many more historical UK family history records.

GedHTree - GEDCOM to HTML, Elegant family tree on the Web

GedHTree - GEDCOM to HTML converter (FREE unregistered version) generates elegant family tree, group, index pages for displaying your genealogy on the Web

GEDCOM Reader Feedback 

Geni & Twitter 

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