Information about GEDCOMs

Questions

1. What is a GEDCOM?
2. How do I import my GEDCOMs into Genealogy Browser™?
3. How do I export my GEDCOMs out of Genealogy Browser™?
4. How can I back-up my data?
5. Why are there people missing from the GEDCOM that I imported?
6. Why are there people missing from the GEDCOM that I exported?

Answers

GEDCOMS

1. What is a GEDCOM?

   GEDCOM is an acronym for GEnealogical Data COMmunication. It is a common file format for exchanging data between genealogical record managers such as Family Tree Maker, Personal Ancestral File (PAF), Legacy Family Tree, Family Origins®, and others. If you use one of these (or a similar product), you can create a GEDCOM file containing your information.
   
   A GEDCOM file can be uploaded, and the records it contains can be inserted into the OneGreatFamily tree. See "How do I import my family tree from another genealogical program?". The function of creating the GEDCOM file is usually called "exporting" data. The result of exporting is a file such as "myged.ged". You can export your information from Genealogy Browser by selecting "Export from Current Individual to GEDCOM file" from the file menu.

   GEDCOM in Glossary
   Importing a GEDCOM
   Exporting a GEDCOM

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2. How do I import my GEDCOMs into Genealogy Browser™?

   You can import a GEDCOM into your group by selecting "Import GEDCOM file to View" on the File Menu or by selecting the third option on the Organize Anchors page (On the Anchors pull-down menu, select "Organize Anchors"). If you upload the same GEDCOM more than once, you may find some hints and conflicts from your own information. This is because some mergers did not automatically take place.  

   Please click on the following link to view a brief video on how to import a GEDCOM file into your OneGreatFamily tree: Import GEDCOM Video

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3. How do I export my GEDCOMs out of Genealogy Browser™?

   You can export data from your group by selecting "Export from Current Individual to GEDCOM file" on the File menu. This will create a GEDCOM file around the record currently in the individual box; therefore, all of the information in your group might not be exported. 

   There is a current limit of 20 ancestral generations (ancestors of the anchor) or 5 descendant generations (descendants of the anchor) per GEDCOM file. Please click on the following link to view a brief video on how to export a GEDCOM file from OneGreatFamily: Video on Exporting a GEDCOM file

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4. How can I back-up my data?

   You can export data from your group by selecting "Export from Current Individual to GEDCOM file" on the File menu. This will create a GEDCOM file around the record currently in the individual box; therefore, all of the information in your group might not be exported.

   Please see the question on how to export a GEDCOM file for the instructions on how to do this.

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5. Why are there people missing from the GEDCOM that I imported?

   When you import a GEDCOM, only one anchor is created. Therefore, if you have ancestors in the GEDCOM whom were not connected to the anchor, they will not show up in your Starfield even though they will be entered into OneGreatFamily. You can locate these ancestors using the Genealogy Browser Search section by clicking on the icon with the pair of small blue glasses and the word "search" on the toolbar in the Genealogy Browser.

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6. Why are there people missing from the GEDCOM that I exported?

   When you export a GEDCOM from Genealogy Browser™, the GEDCOM file will be set up around the record currently in the individual box; therefore, all of the information in your group might not be exported. When exporting, make sure that you have the proper number of generations selected (with the limit currently set at 20 or fewer generations) along with the desired check boxes on the "GEDCOM Export" box. As long as you have these how you want them and the information is properly entered into OneGreatFamily, it will be input into your GEDCOM.

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