GEDCOM

GEDCOM
Filename extension
.ged
Internet media type
application/vnd.familysearch.gedcom [1] application/vnd.familysearch.gedcom+zip [1]
Developed byLDS FHD
Initial release1984; 40 years ago (1984)
Latest release
7.0.14
8 February 2024; 9 months ago (2024-02-08)[2]
Type of formatGenealogy data exchange
StandardDe facto[3]
Open format?yes
Free format?no
Websitegedcom.io
github.com/familysearch/GEDCOM

FamilySearch GEDCOM, or simply GEDCOM (/ˈdʒɛdkɒm/ JED-kom, acronym of Genealogical Data Communication), is an open file format and the de facto standard specification for storing genealogical data.[3] It was developed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS, also known as the Mormon Church), the operators of FamilySearch, to aid in the research and sharing of genealogical information.[4] A common usage is as a standard format for the backup and transfer of family tree data between different genealogy software and websites, most of which support importing from and exporting to GEDCOM format.[5]

GEDCOM is defined as a plain text file, using UTF-8 encoding as of version 7.0. This file contains genealogical information about individuals such as names, events, and relationships; metadata links these records together.

GEDCOM 7.0, released in 2021, is the most recent version of the GEDCOM specification as of July 2024.[6] However, its predecessor, GEDCOM 5.5.1, remains the industry's format standard for the exchange of genealogical data.[citation needed] First released as a draft standard in 1999, GEDCOM 5.5.1 received only minor updates in the subsequent 20 years leading up to the release of 5.5.1 final in 2019. To address its shortcomings, some genealogy programs introduced proprietary extensions to GEDCOM which are not always recognized by other programs, such as GEDCOM 5.5 EL (Extended Locations).[7][8][9] Efforts have been made to have 7.0 more widely adopted since its release. FamilySearch intends to be GEDCOM 7.0 compatible in Quarter 3 of 2022, and Ancestry.com has 7.0 compatibility on its roadmap but has not yet specified an implementation date.[citation needed]

  1. ^ a b Clarke, Gordon (2021-12-07). "Media subtype name: vnd.familysearch.gedcom+zip". Internet Assigned Numbers Authority. Retrieved 2022-10-01.
  2. ^ "Releases · FamilySearch/GEDCOM". GitHub. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  3. ^ a b Subject: GEDCOM and Formal Standards Organizations Date: Wed, 24 Jan 1996 11:53:52 -0700 From: Bill Harten – Organization: Brigham Young University "why wasn't GEDCOM developed through a formal standards organization?..."Thus GEDCOM was born as a deliberate, de facto standard, to be followed only by those who felt it was in their best interest to do so.
  4. ^ Subject: rep: T Jenkins – open letter to GEDCOM-L – "The goal was to try and provide a standard to allow developers to provide a vehicle for their users to share genealogical conclusions and supporting evidence with others." From: "Jed R. Allen" Brigham Young University – Date: 29 Sep 1995 17:40:04 -0600 – GEDCOM-L Archives – September 1995, week 5 (#7)
  5. ^ "Genealogical Software Report Card". March 2005. Archived from the original on 2009-02-11.
  6. ^ "The FamilySearch GEDCOM Specification". gedcom.io. 8 February 2024. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  7. ^ GEDCOM 5.5 EL Archived 2020-01-11 at the Wayback Machine (Extended Locations) specification
  8. ^ Ability to save information against places – "Support for parts of the GEDCOM 5.5EL proposal" – FHUG Wish List
  9. ^ 0000688: Support for Gedcom 5.5EL Archived 2011-07-26 at the Wayback Machine – Gramps Bugtracker