Comprehensive Guide to GEDCOM Files
1. What is a GEDCOM file?
The acronym GEDCOM stands for GEnealogical Data COMmunication. It is a text-based file format (usually with the extension .ged) developed to allow different genealogy software programs to share data.
Think of it as the "PDF" of genealogy: it ensures that your family tree can be read whether you use Ancestry, MyHeritage, Family Tree Maker, or Gramps.
2. How to Export your Family Tree
To use this viewer, you first need to export your data. Here is a quick guide for the major platforms:
- Ancestry.com: Go to the "Trees" tab, select your tree, click "Tree Settings", and find the "Export Tree" button on the right side.
- MyHeritage: Navigate to "Family Tree" > "Manage Trees". Click "Export to GEDCOM" next to the tree you wish to download.
- FamilySearch: FamilySearch does not allow a direct one-click export of an entire branch. You will need third-party software (like RootsMagic or Ancestral Quest) to sync with FamilySearch and then export a GEDCOM file from there.
3. Why Client-Side Privacy Matters
Genealogy data often contains sensitive information about living relatives (dates of birth, maiden names, locations). Most online viewers require you to upload your file to their server. This creates a risk: if their server is hacked, your family's data is exposed.
GEDCOM Explorer is different. We use "Offline-First" technology. When you click "Open File", your browser reads the file directly from your computer's hard drive into its temporary memory (RAM). The data never travels over the internet to our cloud. It stays on your device. Once you close this tab, the data is wiped from the browser's memory instantly.
4. Understanding the GEDCOM Structure
A standard GEDCOM file is hierarchical. It consists of records linked by unique identifiers. The most common records are INDI (Individual) and FAM (Family). An INDI record contains the person's name, sex, birth (BIRT), and death (DEAT) events. A FAM record links a husband (HUSB), a wife (WIFE), and children (CHIL). Our viewer parses these text lines and visualizes them into the interactive chart you see above.