RootsWeb: DEARMYRTLE-L [DearMYRTLE-L] Re: Receiving GEDCOM files

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Subject: [DearMYRTLE-L] Re: Receiving GEDCOM files
Date: 9 Nov 2002 06:13:52 -0700

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/igC.2ACE/1400.1 Message Board Post: You've got a FRIEND in genealogy! --------------------------------------------------------- DearMYRTLE's Daily Genealogy Column Receiving GEDCOM files FROM: DearMYRTLE, When trying to download a GEDCOM file that was recently sent to me, a message box popped up saying that it didn't know how to open the file. Is there such a thing as a GEDCOM reader and if so, how do I get one? DearLINNETTE, GEDCOM files are specific to genealogy programs and can be imported and exported by them. Its just a matter of opening your genealogy program, opening a NEW file and then going to FILE on the menu bar, and selecting IMPORT. Since you already have a genealogy program installed on your computer, you could also use Windows Explorer or My Computer to locate the file with no problem. Windows recognizes the file as one that can be opened by your genealogy program. ------------------------------------------------------------ SAVE YOURSELF SOME TROUBLE ------------------------------------------------------------ Its advisable to look at the downloaded GEDCOM file in a NEW database because you may not want to incorporate the information into your existing database until you have determined the reliability of the information. ------------------------------------------------------------ WHAT PROBABLY HAPPENED IN YOUR CASE: ------------------------------------------------------------ Using American Online as you do, after downloading a file AOL immediately offers you the opportunity to locate the file. I always tell AOL "no" and then go to my genealogy program to open the file. If you tell AOL "yes" and then click on the icon for the .ged file, the AOL gets confused. Double clicking on the GEDCOM file will prompt the arrival of the message that the computer does not know how to open the file. You'll also see a short list of suggested programs appearing below that message. Unfortunately in my tests, none of my genealogy programs showed up on the list. GEDCOM files are read by all of the main stream genealogy programs. In our area people are using: -- PAF Personal Ancestral File (free) http://www.familysearch.org -- Family Tree Maker http://www.familytreemaker.com -- Family Origins http://www.familyorigins.com -- Legacy (free version) http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/ -- The Master Genealogist http://www.whollygenes.com ------------------------------------------------------------ FROM THE GLOSSARY AT FAMILYSEARCH http://www.familysearch.org ------------------------------------------------------------ GEDCOM The abbreviation for GEnealogical Data COMmunications. GEDCOM is a computer format that permits one type of software program to read genealogical records created in another program. GEDCOM was created by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to make it possible for people with different brands of software and computers to share their information. You can recognize a GEDCOM file on your computer because its file name ends with ".GED." Personal Ancestral File and FamilySearch both use GEDCOM. © 1999-2001 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. English approval: 3/1999 ------------------------------------------------------------ FOR FURTHER READING: ------------------------------------------------------------ Cyndi's List - software & computers http://www.cyndislist.com/software.htm Cyndi's List - GEDCOM http://www.cyndislist.com/gedcom.htm Happy Family Tree Climbing! Myrt :) DearMYRTLE, Daily Genealogy Columnist AOL Keywords: roots, myrtle http://www.DearMYRTLE.com DearMYRTLE's Family History Hour Live Call-in Talk Radio Show 9-10pm Eastern US Tues, Wed & Thurs 1-877-NetRadio copyright 1995-2002. All rights reserved. An easier-to-read version of this column appears on the web at: http://www.DearMYRTLE.com (with graphics and clickable links as indicated.)

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