What is a .GED file?
A .GED file is a type of data file that uses the GEDCOM (Genealogical Data Communications) format. This format is specifically designed to store information about family histories and genealogical events. In a .GED file, you can find detailed records that may include dates and places of births, deaths, and marriages, as well as information about family relationships, the number of children, and even physical descriptions of individuals.
The GEDCOM format was created by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly known as the LDS Church, in the 1980s. Its main goal is to provide a standardized way for genealogists to store and share genealogical data. Over the years, the format has been updated several times, with version 5.5.1, released in 1999, being the most commonly used. More recently, in 2021, a new version (7.0) was introduced by FamilySearch, a company associated with the LDS Church, which also supports a new file type, .GDZ.
GED files are versatile and can be used by both amateur family historians, who are documenting their own family trees, and professional researchers, who might be compiling data for academic studies or publications.
To view or edit a .GED file, you can use various software programs designed for genealogy research. Some of the most popular programs include: - **LifeLines** - **GeneWeb** - **Gramps** - **RootsMagic** and **RootsMagic Essentials** - **Ancestral Author** - **MyHeritage Family Tree Builder** - **Behold** - **Nevron Software MyDraw** - **FamilySearch Personal Ancestral File** - **Leister Productions Reunion** Additionally, because .GED files are essentially text-based, they can also be opened with any basic text editor like Notepad or TextEdit. This allows for viewing the raw data, although it might not be as easily readable without the formatting provided by specialized software.
Online platforms like Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org also support the uploading and viewing of GEDCOM files, making it easier to share and collaborate on genealogical research with others over the internet.
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