1. Introduction to GEDCOM Files

What is GEDCOM?

Think of GEDCOM as the genealogy world's version of spreading juicy gossip—but in a digital format. GEDCOM stands for GEnealogical Data COMmunication, and it's a file format used to organize and share family history information in a standardized way. Most geneaogy programs of today can import and export GEDCOM files.

Why Use GEDCOM Files for Genealogy Research?

Using GEDCOM files streamlines the process of sharing family tree data across different genealogy software and platforms. It's like having a universal translator for family history—makes collaboration and research easier than deciphering ancient hieroglyphics.

2. Understanding the Structure of GEDCOM Files

Components of a GEDCOM File

GEDCOM files are like a well-organized family reunion—each file contains individuals, families, events, and relationships, neatly categorized and interconnected. It's like having a virtual family album, but with less awkward family photos.

Here is a Sample GEDCOM file:

0 HEAD 1 SOUR PAF 2 NAME Personal Ancestral File 2 VERS 5.0 1 DATE 30 NOV 2000 1 GEDC 2 VERS 5.5 2 FORM LINEAGE-LINKED 1 CHAR ANSEL 1 SUBM @U1@ 0 @I1@ INDI 1 NAME John /Smith/ 1 SEX M 1 FAMS @F1@ 0 @I2@ INDI 1 NAME Elizabeth /Stansfield/ 1 SEX F 1 FAMS @F1@ 0 @I3@ INDI 1 NAME James /Smith/ 1 SEX M 1 FAMC @F1@ 0 @F1@ FAM 1 HUSB @I1@ 1 WIFE @I2@ 1 MARR 1 CHIL @I3@ 0 @U1@ SUBM 1 NAME Submitter 0 TRLR

GEDCOM Tag Format

In the world of GEDCOM, tags are like the secret code that unlocks the mysteries of your family history. Each tag represents a specific piece of information, like dates, names, and relationships, making it easier to navigate through your family tree data.

Tags

• ADOP (Adoption)

• ANUL (Annulment)

• BAPL (Baptism, LDS)

• BAPM (Baptism)

• BARM (Bar Mitzvah)

• BASM (Bas Mitzvah)

• BIRT (Birth)

• BLES (Blessing)

• BURI (Burial)

• CAUS (Cause of Death)

• CENS (Census)

• CHR (Christening)

• CHRA (Adult Christening)

• CONF (Confirmation)

• CONL (Confirmation, LDS)

• CREM (Cremation)

• DEAT (Death)

• DIV (Divorce)

• DIVF (Divorce Filed)

• EMIG (Emigration)

• ENDL (Endownment, LDS)

• ENGA (Engagement)

• EVEN (Generic Event)

• FCOM (First Communion)

• GRAD (Graduation)

• IMMI (Immigration)

• MARB (Marriage Bann)

• MARC (Marriage Contract)

• MARL (Marriage License)

• MARR (Marriage)

• MARS (Marriage Settlement)

• NATU (Naturalization)

• ORDN (Ordination)

• PROB (Probate)

• REFN (Reference Number)

• RESI (Residence)

• RETI (Retirement)

• SLGC (SealChild, LDS)

• SLGS (SealSpouse, LDS)

• WILL (Will)

Attributes Tags

• CAST (Caste)

• DSCR (Description)

• EDUC (Education)

• FACT (Generic Fact)

• IDNO (ID Number)

• NATI (National Origin)

• NCHI (Children)

• NMR (Marriages)

• OCCU (Occupation)

• PROP (Possessions)

• RELI (Religious Affiliation)

• RESI* (Residence)

• SSN (Social Security Number)

• TITL (Nobility Title)

3. Tools for Viewing and Editing GEDCOM Files

Popular GEDCOM Viewer Tools

Imagine a peek into your family tree's window—GEDCOM viewer tools like MyHeritage, FamilySearch, and Ancestry.com allow you to visualize and explore your family history data with ease. It's like having a front-row seat to your ancestor's greatest hits.

Editing GEDCOM Files Safely

Editing a GEDCOM file is like being the director of your family history movie—make changes, add new characters, or correct typos without losing the plot. Just remember to save often and tread lightly, as even digital family trees can get tangled if you're not careful.

4. Importing and Exporting Data with GEDCOM Files

Importing Data into Genealogy Software

Importing data with GEDCOM files is like throwing a family history party—bring all your relatives (data) together under one virtual roof by seamlessly transferring information into genealogy software. It's like creating a digital family reunion, but without the awkward small talk.

Exporting Data to Share with Others

Sharing your family history with others is like passing down a treasured heirloom—exporting as GEDCOM files allows you to share your research with family members, historians, or even that cousin you met once at a family picnic. It's like spreading the genealogy love one file at a time.

5. Collaborating and Sharing Genealogy Research using GEDCOM Files

Collaborative Genealogy Research with GEDCOM

So, you've got your hands on a GEDCOM file - a magical text document that holds the key to your family tree. But why keep all that ancestry goodness to yourself? Collaborating with other genealogy enthusiasts or distant relatives can take your research to the next level. By exchanging GEDCOM files, you can combine your collective knowledge and uncover even more branches on your family tree. It's like a genetic reunion, but without the awkward small talk.

Sharing GEDCOM Files with Family Members

Want to impress your family at the next reunion with your genealogy prowess? Share your GEDCOM file with them! Whether you email it to long-lost cousins or upload it to a genealogy website for all to see, spreading the family tree love has never been easier. Just imagine the look on Aunt Martha's face when you reveal that you're both distant relatives of a famous potato farmer from the 1800s. Family drama, here we come!

6. Best Practices for Managing GEDCOM Files

Organizing and Naming GEDCOM Files

Let's face it - GEDCOM files have a way of multiplying faster than rabbits on a spring day. To avoid a chaotic mess of unidentifiable files, it's best to keep things organized. Create a logical folder structure, give your files clear and consistent names, and maybe throw in a few emojis for good measure. Trust us, a well-organized GEDCOM collection will save you from a future headache and make finding that elusive ancestor a breeze.

Regular Backups and Data Security

Picture this: you've spent hours meticulously documenting your family history in a GEDCOM file, only to have it vanish into the digital abyss. Don't let that horror story become your reality. Regularly back up your GEDCOM files to an external hard drive, cloud storage, or even a trusty USB stick. And while you're at it, sprinkle some digital security fairy dust by password-protecting sensitive information. Your ancestors will thank you from genealogy heaven.

7. Troubleshooting Common Issues with GEDCOM Files

Handling Data Loss or Corruption

Oops, did your GEDCOM file just pull a disappearing act or turn into a digital Picasso painting of gibberish? Don't panic just yet. Take a deep breath, channel your inner tech wizard, and try using a GEDCOM repair tool to resurrect your precious genealogy data. And if all else fails, remember that family history is more than just files - it's the stories and connections that truly matter.

Resolving Compatibility Issues

Ah, the dreaded compatibility conundrum. Your GEDCOM file is from the future, while your genealogy software is stuck in the past. Fear not, intrepid researcher! Before throwing your computer out the window in frustration, check for software updates, conversion tools, or helpful online forums where fellow genealogy enthusiasts might have the golden key to compatibility bliss. Remember, where there's a GEDCOM, there's a way!

Conclusion

In conclusion, mastering the use of GEDCOM files can greatly enhance your genealogy research endeavors. By understanding the structure, utilizing the right tools, and following best practices for managing and sharing these files, you can streamline your workflow and collaborate effectively with others in your family history journey. Remember to troubleshoot common issues with GEDCOM files promptly to ensure the integrity of your valuable genealogical data.

The following is a press release written by Ancestry.com:

Ancestry®, the global leader in family history, published its third annual Impact Report, outlining the company’s corporate responsibility approach and highlighting progress in three core areas: ethical business practices; diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); and community impact. Aligned with Ancestry’s mission to empower journeys of personal discovery to enrich lives, the company is committed to enhancing its products and leveraging its resources to build a more connected, resilient and sustainable future for generations to come.

“We recognize that the actions we take today have a profound impact on future generations, and we are committed to ensuring we operate our business in a manner that is good for both people and the planet,” said Deborah Liu, Ancestry President and CEO. “While we are proud of our progress, we know more work is ahead. We remain steadfast in ensuring our corporate responsibility efforts not only meet but exceed the goals outlined in our report.”

Building on the goals set in the previous two annual reports, the 2023 Impact Report reaffirms Ancestry’s commitment to transparent, equitable, and inclusive business practices, including:

• Launched a new AncestryDNA kit made of recycled materials to cut waste-to-landfill.
• Reduced carbon emissions by 21% across Ancestry’s scope 1, 2, and largest scope 3 contributors.
• Embarked on our second HistoryMakers National College Tour and Scholarship at four HBCUs, TCUs, and HSIs across the United States.
• Added four new DNA ethnicity regions and 910 new DNA communities to serve more diverse customers globally.
• Made 3.3M records available for free as part of Ancestry's $3M pledge through 2025 to preserve history that is at-risk of being forgotten or overlooked.
• Provided 10.5M+ students across five countries access to Ancestry records through AncestryClassroom at no cost, surpassing the 2025 target.

To read the full report, view Ancestry’s SASB metrics and UN SDG goals, and learn more about the key initiatives within each impact area, visit https://www.ancestry.com/corporate/annual-impact-report.

About Ancestry
Ancestry®, the global leader in family history, empowers journeys of personal discovery to enrich lives. With our unparalleled collection of more than 60 billion records, over 3 million subscribers and over 25 million people in our growing DNA network, customers can discover their family story and gain a new level of understanding about their lives. Over the past 40 years, we’ve built trusted relationships with millions of people who have chosen us as the platform for discovering, preserving and sharing the most important information about themselves and their families. 

Here is an article that is not about any of the "normal" topics of this newsletter: genealogy, history, current affairs, DNA, and related topics. However, I found it interesting and decided to share it with readers of this newsletter.

One company offers a completely free plan of 10 gigabytes of FREE file storage space with no limits in regards of features available.You simply create an account to get started. Even better, no credit card is required.

I suspect that 10 gigabytes of file storage space will be enough to satisfy ALL the file storage needs for many people.

Based in Recklinghausen Germany, Filen strives to provide the highest quality cloud storage solution available to date. 

Try out Filen before buying a plan. The company offers free access and even larger amounts of file space are available for modest payments at: https://filen.io/pricing (scroll down the page for a bit to find the free offer).

You can read all the details on the  Filen web site at: https://filen.io.

 

Jeff O’Brien, Saskatoon’s city archivist, said the city had been looking for a permanent facility for the archives to call home for many years. The archives are now set to relocate the entire collection to the old Post Office Building downtown, right across from City Hall and the Saskatoon Public Library.

The current location near the Saskatoon Airport has been in use since 2010, but has also reached its maximum capacity, O’Brien explained. He said the collection is almost twice as large today as it was 14 years ago.

According to the city, the archives contain 450,000 photographs, 4,000 feet of shelves and 3,000 linear feet of records, along with thousands of maps and blueprints dating back to the early 1900s. About 3,500 boxes of material will be moved this week.

“The goal will be to make sure we don’t lose anything, but to also do some organization up front,” O’Brien said.

“You want to keep the stuff that tells the story (with) the most summary, but at the same time the most substantial way possible.”

You can read more in an article by Mia Holowaychuk published in the ckom.com web site at: http://bit.ly/3JdERi0.

Perhaps you found a reference that says your ancestor lived in Holladay, Tennessee. Now you ask, "Where the heck is that?" Even more interesting, the record might say that the ancestor was buried there in the Brinkley Cemetery. Now you really want to know where that cemetery is located! Luckily, in this modern age, this is easy to do, using your home computer or even a laptop, tablet, or cell phone and an Internet connection.

Back in the B.I. age (Before Internet), you would purchase a map of Tennessee and then look for the town. However, many small locations are not shown on modern maps. It is also possible that the place may have existed only in past years and has since disappeared. A current map may not show the place you are interested in. Most importantly, finding a small cemetery on a modern map is often impossible. 

Today you can sit at home, type on the keyboard, and in a few minutes find that Brinkley Cemetery is located at latitude 35 degrees, 49 minutes, 17 seconds North and 88 degrees, 12 minutes, 2 seconds West (plus or minus 300 feet). You can also look at a map of the area, displayed on your computer screen or printed on your own printer. The map shows that the cemetery in question is located on a small road, not far from U.S. Highway 40, about four miles south of Holladay, Tennessee. If that isn't enough, you can even look at a satellite view of the area. Your computer screen can display a satellite photo that even shows individual houses and other small buildings, although you probably will not be able to see individual tombstones.

Then, just for more convenience, you can grab your GPS, jump in the car, and drive to the cemetery as your GPS calls out the turns.

Complicated? Not really. It took me about two or three minutes to find that information online and another minute or two to tell the GPS device where I wished to go.

Online genealogists have tools available today that were only dreamed of a few short years ago. The primary tool for U.S. locations is the government’s Geographic Names Information System. The GNIS database can quickly tell the precise location of any named place in the United States, many foreign countries, and in Antarctica. I don't have ancestors in Antarctica, so I'll focus on U.S. locations in the rest of this article.

The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) database was developed by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN). It contains information about more than2 million physical and cultural geographic features in the United States. The GNIS identifies the federally recognized name of each feature described in the database and provides references to each feature's state and county, as well as it exact latitude and longitude. It lists villages, towns, cities, rivers, mountains, airports, beaches, and much, much more. The database includes almost all obsolete names, including those of many villages that disappeared years ago. Best of all, you can find a location and then click on an icon to display a map of that area on your computer screen. 

Here is perhaps the best news of all for genealogists: the GNIS also lists many cemeteries, although not all of them. For instance, I know that my great-grandparents are buried in Pine Grove Cemetery, a small cemetery in Bangor, Maine. The GNIS describes Pine Grove Cemetery as being in Penobscot County at 44 degrees, 47 minutes, and 54 seconds North, and 68 degrees, 49 minutes, 38 seconds West. If I know the name of the cemetery but not the town, the GNIS database will find all cemeteries of that name in the state. The database will also list all the cemeteries in a given county, if you wish.

All is not perfect, however. While nearly every village, city, and airport is listed in the U.S. government's database, not every cemetery is listed. For instance, it does not list the small, rural cemetery where my father, mother, son, and several of my aunts, uncles, and cousins are buried. In fact, I also plan to spend eternity in this same unlisted cemetery. 

In looking around the database, I noted that a number of other cemeteries also are not listed. However those that are listed include even the tiniest of cemeteries containing only two or three tombstones located on someone's farm. For instance, I found a database listing for a cemetery that I found by accident years ago. It is a handful of tombstones now covered with brush, located deep in the woods, two or three miles from any modern-day road. In short, you won't know if the cemetery you seek is listed or not until you search the database.

The Geographic Names Information System is available online at: http://geonames.usgs.gov. You can find the cemeteries I mentioned earlier and thousands more at that web site. 

Now that you know the geographic coordinates of the cemetery in question, driving to that location involves a few more small challenges. You can also use any of several online sites that will give you driving directions from any starting point you wish directly to the cemetery location. With the use of a high-tech device, you can easily obtain real-time instructions on how to drive directly to the cemetery. In many cases, a robotic voice will even tell you when to turn left or right along the route.

Several online sites will give you driving directions. My favorite is called Waze at https://www.waze.com and also available through the Android Play Store and from Apple’s iOS app store. Other people may prefer Google Maps at http://maps.google.com. 

One feature found in Google Maps can be very useful, too. If you know the longitude and latitude, you can go to Google Maps and enter that information. You may enter it either in decimal format (44.798404, -68.827259) or as degrees/minutes/seconds (+44° 47' 54.25", -68° 49' 38.13"). Note that latitude north of the equator is entered as a positive number while locations located south of the equator must be preceded by a minus sign. The same is true of longitude: anything east of the Zero Meridian must be entered as a positive number while anything west of zero degrees (such as North and South America) must be preceded with a minus sign. 

Once Google Maps displays a map with the cemetery in the exact middle, all of Google Maps’ functions are available to you. You can get driving instructions from anyplace in North America to drive directly to the site. You can print the instructions and take them with you to guide you to the cemetery of interest. You can also view satellite photos of the area. 

If you do not know the cemetery where your ancestor is buried, you can use GNIS and the mapping services to find all the cemeteries in the area and to show the route for a planned visit of all the potential cemeteries. 

Armed with information from the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and any of several online map services, you should be able to locate many of the cemeteries where your ancestors are buried.

In Part #2 of this article, I will describe the use of modern high-tech devices to replace the paper maps. As a matter of fact, your laptop computer or other high tech devices can talk to you, giving you turn-by-turn directions, as you travel the route.

As of September of 2022, all microfilms owned by FamilySearch have been digitized and digitally preserved. The Granite Mountain Records Vault has preserved a master physical copy of each film. Every film available in the Library is a duplicate of those stored at the Vault.

In anticipation of the Salt Lake Temple open house, a few of the floors in the Library will be going through some changes. To prepare for the remodel, part of the film collection will be permanently relocated to another site. All films being relocated can be viewed digitally on FamilySearch.org while visiting the FamilySearch Library.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can read more at: https://www.familysearch.org/en/library/microfilm-microfiche-and-CDs

We all know that technology changes swiftly. However, a short article this week surprised me. It appears that US government agencies are being pushed to stop recording meetings, talking books, and other archival documents on audiotape. The answer is simple: they (the US government agencies) can no longer purchase recording tapes!

Quantegy, one of the last analog tape suppliers in the United States, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and shut down its lone U.S. operation. Quantegy was the principal tape provider to federal agencies, but that supply line is now in peril. Agencies must either upgrade, which is a costly and risky process of transitioning to digital storage media, or look elsewhere for high-quality analog tapes.

In January 2005, having previously filed for bankruptcy protection, Quantegy closed its manufacturing facility. In April, 2005, Quantegy resumed operations under new ownership. In January 2007, Quantegy’s new owners announced that it will cease production of magnetic tape in April 2007

The National Archives and Records Administration has already switched from Quantegy tape to WAV files preserved on digital medium such as CDs. "Audiotapes are not becoming old-fashioned," said Les Waffen, an audiovisual archivist in NARA's special media branch. "They're just not going to be available anymore."

NARA officials have begun archiving audio recordings, such as the CIA's radio monitoring of POWs and MIAs during the Vietnam War and oral arguments before the Supreme Court, in digital and WAV files. NARA officials now are unabl;e to purchase new tapes..

Gene DeAnna, the acting chief of the Library of Congress' recorded sound section, appears delighted with the development. "The largest use of audiotapes has been to reformat fragile sound recordings to tape," DeAnna stated in a statement. "We are not using audiotapes to reformat anymore, and it's a good thing."

Library officials have since purchased nine digital audio workstations for producing WAV files for less than $10,000 each. 

DeAnna emphasized that digital offers more resolution than cassette. The library continues to use and acquire audiotapes when sources can be located, but they are then stored in deteriorating boxes. According to DeAnna, Quantegy used to provide archival containers, but library authorities now have to search elsewhere.

Are you still recording on audio tapes? If so, I might suggest it is time to look for more modern technologies. Perhaps it is also time to transfer your existing tapes to more modern methods. 

Don’t be guilty of this! From the Miss Manners newspaper column:

Dear Miss Manners: Lately at social events, I often find myself trapped by people who want to share, in excruciating detail, their genetic test results.

Each person finds their own results deeply compelling, marveling at length over being 3% this and 15% that, with stunning reveals like, “I thought we were Welsh, but it turns out we’re Scottish!” Meanwhile, the next person is on deck, barely half-listening, eagerly getting ready to launch into their own genetic saga.

Monologuing about the minutiae of one’s DNA is self-absorption at, quite literally, the cellular level. Is there a polite way to shut this down?

You can read Miss Manners' reply at: http://bit.ly/4aPqdZN.

From an article by Tim Reinboth published in the undark.org web site:

Various commercial products known as “griefbots” create a simulation of a lost loved one. Built on artificial intelligence that makes use of large language models, or LLMs, the bots imitate the particular way the deceased person talked by using their emails, text messages, voice recordings, and more. The technology is supposed to help the bereaved deal with grief by letting them chat with the bot as if they were talking to the person. But we’re missing evidence that this technology actually helps the bereaved cope with loss.

Humans have used technology to deal with feelings of loss for more than a century. Post-mortem photographs, for example, gave 19th century Victorians a likeness of their dead to remember them by, when they couldn’t afford a painted portrait. Recent studies have provided evidence that having a drawing or picture as a keepsake helps some survivors to grieve. Yet researchers are still learning how people grieve and what kinds of things help the bereaved to deal with loss.

An approach to grief that focuses on continuing bonds with the deceased loved one suggests that finding closure is about more than letting the person go. Research and clinical practice show that renewing the bond with someone they’ve lost can help mourners deal with their passing. That means griefbots might help the bereaved by letting them transform their relationship to their deceased loved one. But a strong continuing bond only helps the bereaved when they can make sense of their loss. And the imitation loved ones could make it harder for people to do that and accept that their loved one is gone.

You can read more at: https://undark.org/2024/04/04/opinion-griefbots-lack-evidence/.

Here is an article that is not about any of the "normal" topics of this newsletter: genealogy, history, current affairs, DNA, and related topics. However, I found it interesting:

By becoming the official custodian of an entire nation's history for the first time, the Internet Archive is expanding its already outsize role in preserving the digital world for posterity. From a report:

The Internet Archive is now home to the Aruba Collection, which hosts digitized versions of Aruba's National Library, National Archives, and other institutions including an archaeology museum and the University of Aruba. The collection comprises 101,376 items so far -- roughly one for each person who lives on the Island -- including 40,000 documents, 60,000 images, and seven 3D objects.

The Internet Archive is mostly known for trying to back up online resources like websites that don't have a government body advocating for their posterity. Being tapped to back up an entire nation's history takes the nonprofit into new territory, and it is a striking endorsement of its mission to bring as much information online as possible. "What makes Aruba unique is they have cooperation from all the leading cultural heritage players in the country," says Chris Freeland, the Internet Archive's director of library services. "It's just an awesome statement." The project is funded wholly by the Internet Archive, in line with its policy of generally letting anyone upload content.