Details for the Gedcom Conversion

FamilyTreeFactory records can be saved as Gedcom files (*.ged) based on the current Gedcom Standard 5.5 from 02.01.1996 from LDS (1) and vice versa. Gedcom files can only be used for saving and exchanging personal data (genealogical data communication).

Warning: Never overwrite the original source Gedcom file when saving. FamilyTreeFactory does not use all of the data that may be present in Gedcom files. Unused data would be lost if the original Gedcom file is overwritten.

The most important differences between family files (*.fml) and Gedcom files (*.ged) are listed in the following table:

Criteria	Family files (*.fml)	Gedcom files (*.ged)
File type	Personal data and treeview options for graphics.	Personal data.
File limits	No limit for persons. Max. 25 partnerships per person, max. 25 children per partnership and max. 1 pair of parents per child.	None. (Gedcom can save multiple pairs of parents for one child, such as for documenting adoptions.)
Surnames	Standard surname is the current or last-used surname. A different maiden name can also be entered.	Standard surname is the maiden name. A different "married name" can also be entered (defined in PAF5).
Given name(s)	If multiple given names are present, a >preferred given name< can be indicated with angle brackets, which can cause it to be underlined in graphics if desired.	With multiple given names, none can be identified as the preferred given name; but there are various program-specific codings.

LDS has also released a widely-used application for entering, saving and performing limited analysis of personal data: PAF (Personal Ancestral File), current version 5.2 (available in different languages), "PAF5" for short. In PAF5, some extensions have been defined within the Gedcom standard that are taken into account during programmed file conversion. PAF5 saves the personal data and options used for PAF5 in PAF files (*.paf). PAF5 can export personal data from a PAF file into Gedcom files and can import Gedcom files into a PAF file.

The formal descriptions used in FamilyTreeFactory programmed conversions are explained in the sections that follow. They are only intended for those knowledgeable about the Gedcom standard.

(1) Publisher and copyright: Family History Department, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (American abbreviation "LDS"), 50 East North Temple Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84150, USA. Internet: www.familysearch.org.