GEDCOM to HTML Converters

GEDCOM to HTML Converters: What Are They and Should I Use Them?

The History of GEDCOM to HTML converters

During the late 1990s, many genealogists flocked to the internet to create genealogy websites in order to share their research and to connect with fellow researchers. A new type of software - GEDCOM to HTML converters - emerged to enable these new webmasters to convert their GEDCOM into HTML pages that they could then upload to their websites.

Though many GEDCOM to HTML converters exist, the majority provide these basic functions:

*Privacy filter to remove living people from reports
*Basic family tree charts (pedigree / descendancy)
*Ahnentafel reports (text version of the genealogy)
*Indexes (names, sources, places, etc.)

Should I use a GEDCOM to HTML converter to create my genealogy website?

Though many people still use GEDCOM to HTML converters to generate their genealogy websites, it has become much less popular in the last couple of years.

Why? Once the HTML pages are created, they are very difficult to update. For example, if you generated your website in January and then added 100 people into your database in February, you would have to regenerate ALL of the pages for these new additions to be included on your website.

Why is this a problem? When you regenerate these pages with your GEDCOM to HTML converter, each new page will be different than the original and consequently will also have a different page name. As a result, you have to update all of your links to these pages, search engines cannot index your pages correctly and you will lose many visitors as a result.

If not a GEDCOM to HTML converter, then what?

Over the last couple of years, and particularly with the emergence of Web 2.0 applications, genealogists can now create dynamic genealogy websites. These dynamic websites pull information from a database that is created from your GEDCOM, rather than creating static HTML pages. As a result, these types of websites automatically update your website as you reupload your GEDCOM and webpages do not have to be recreated when new information is included.

As these new applications continue to develop, it will enable genealogists to worry less about being webmasters and focus more on what they do best: genealogy. One thing is for sure: GEDCOM to HTML converters are a relic of the past.

What is a GEDCOM File?

What is a GEDCOM file and why do I need it?

A GEDCOM file is the standard format to exchange genealogical information between family members and fellow researchers. An acronym for GEnealogical Data COMmunication, the GEDCOM file format was originally created in 1985 by the Family History Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to enable genealogists to collaborate and share between different genealogy software programs.

How do I create a GEDCOM file?

First, download or purchase a genealogy software program, such as Personal Ancestral File (PAF). After you enter in your information about your family tree, you can "export" this information into a GEDCOM file, with the extension .ged. This puts the genealogical information into a particular text format; this GEDCOM file can then be recognized and imported into other genealogy software programs.

What uses are there for GEDCOM files?

1) The most common use for GEDCOM files is simply to share your family tree information with someone who is interested in your research.

2) There are GEDCOM viewers which you can use to visualize your family tree and GEDCOM file.

3) A few services now allow you to upload your GEDCOM file to instantly create your family tree website to easily share and display your genealogical information with others.

What does a GEDCOM file look like?

Below are a few lines from a GEDCOM file when opened in a text editor-it starts out with information about the file, the creator, and the software program it was created in. Next, it moves to data about individuals and finally ends with information to link the individuals together at the end of the GEDCOM file.

0 HEAD
1 SOUR PAF
2 NAME Personal Ancestral File
2 VERS 5.2.18.0
1 DEST PAF
1 DATE 25 Jun 2007
2 TIME 09:46:36
1 FILE john.ged
1 GEDC
2 VERS 5.5

0 @I1@ INDI
1 NAME Jared /Pratt/
2 SURN Pratt
2 GIVN Jared
1 SEX M
1 BIRT
2 DATE 25 Nov 1769
2 PLAC Canaan, Columbia, New York
1 DEAT
2 DATE 5 Nov 1839
2 PLAC Detroit, Wayne, Michigan
1 BURI
2 DATE Nov 1839

2 PLAC Hamtrack, Wayne, Michigan

What is the future for GEDCOM files?

The GEDCOM file format is continually being updated and a new version may be released in upcoming months or years.