For information about a screen, click on Help. If the message that appears does not answer your question, look at related topics (listed at the bottom), use the index, or conduct a keyword search of Help.

If you do not find an answer to your question, please use the Feedback section to submit your question. Answers to questions will be posted periodically in Frequently Asked Questions. (Unfortunately, because of the large volume of Internet users, we are not able to respond individually.)

• I want to begin using PAF 5.0. Can I use my data from PAF 3.0 or 4.0 in PAF 5.0?
• How do I create a submission for TempleReady for Windows using PAF 5.0?
• Can I restore backups from PAF 3.0 and 4.0 in PAF 5.0?
• Will PAF 5.0 convert PAF 2x files?
• I get errors when I convert my files from Personal Ancestral File 4.0 to Personal Ancestral File 5.0. How can I prevent them?
• While preparing names in TempleReady, why did I get the following error message, and how can I fix it?
• Is there anywhere that I can get additional support for PAF 5.0 beyond this web site?

Return to Top of Page

• Run the Check/Repair option in PAF 3.0 or 4.0 and fix any problems found. 
• Install PAF 5.0.
• Start PAF 5.0 and open your PAF 3.0 or 4.0 file.
• The program asks you for a drive, folder, and file name for the PAF 5.0 file. If you want to keep your original PAF 3.0 or 4.0 file, save the PAF 5.0 file in a different folder or give it a different name.
• PAF 5.0 converts your data. 

Return to Top of Page

If you want TempleReady to add missing ordinance dates directly to your file, follow these steps:

• a. Copy your .paf file or a backup copy to a floppy disk and take it to your family history center. If your file is too large for a floppy disk, you may need to split it into smaller files.
• If you are using a backup file, at the family history center use PAF 5.0 to restore the backup copy.
• Close PAF.
• Start TempleReady for Windows, and open your .paf file.
• Click Update My Records. TempleReady checks the names in the .paf file against the Ordinance Index and adds missing ordinance dates and temple codes.
• After updating your records, follow the TempleReady instructions to create your submission.
• When you finish creating your submission, make a backup of your updated .paf file.
• Restore the updated .paf file onto your home computer.

If you do not want TempleReady to add missing ordinance dates to your file, follow these steps:

• In PAF 5.0, from the File menu, select Export for TempleReady.
• Read the Temple Name Submission screen, and click Continue.
• Select the individuals and families you want to submit, and click OK.
• On the Temple Name Submission Options screen, select the options you want to use
• Insert a floppy disk, and specify that you want to save the file to your floppy drive.
• Type a file name, and click Export.
• When the program finishes saving the file, it shows the number of individuals and marriages exported. Click OK.
• Read the TempleReady Instructions screen, and click OK.
• Take the floppy disk to your family history center, and use TempleReady for Windows. You will not be able to use the Update My Records feature.

Return to Top of Page

• In PAF 5.0, from the File menu, select Restore.
• On the Restore File From screen, click the arrow on the drop-down list of Files of type, and select PAF 3/4 Backup Files (*.bak).
• The program asks if you want to convert the file. Click Yes. Remember to rename the files or save them in a different location so you do not overwrite the existing older files with the new PAF 5.0 data file.

Return to Top of Page

• Before you begin, from the Utilities menu, select the Check Data Files option.
• Convert the PAF 2x file to either PAF 3.0 or 4.0 first. Remember, PAF 4.0 has a utility that will help you convert PAF 2x notes that have source tags into full sources with repositories. Then use PAF 5.0 to convert PAF 3.0 and 4.0 data files into the PAF 5.0 format.
• Create a GEDCOM of your PAF 2x data and import it into PAF 5.0.

Return to Top of Page

Return to Top of Page

"THERE IS A PROBLEM

The CHAR line in the GEDCOM file is not ANSEL. Change the CHAR line to ANSEL and review the file for special characters or diacritics. To select a different file, press Enter."

We suggest that you wait to process your names until TempleReady for Windows is available in your area. If you must clear the names before then, you may do one of the following:

• If you did not mark the names in your submission as "submitted," create the submission again. Use the TempleReady for DOS option:

- From the File menu, select Export.
- Click TempleReady for DOS.
- For detailed instructions on how to create a file for TempleReady for DOS, click the Help button on the Export screen. Then click How to create a GEDCOM file for TempleReady for DOS.

• If you marked the names in your submission as "submitted" and made a backup copy of your .paf file before exporting the submission:

- Restore your .paf file from that backup.
- Create a submission for TempleReady for DOS.

• If you marked the names in your submission as "submitted" but did not make a backup copy of your .paf file before exporting the submission:

- From the Tools menu, select Global Search and Replace.
- In the Search and Replace Text In field, select Dates.
- In the Search For field, type sub and the date of your submission. Type the information in this format: sub dd mm yyyy (for example, sub 22 Jan 2001).
- Leave the Replace With field blank.
- Click Replace.
- Create a submission for TempleReady for DOS.

If you cannot do any of the above, contact Family History Support at for assistance. Please type TempleReady Conversion in the subject line.

Return to Top of Page

Other web sites also offer some instruction on PAF 5.0. These are administered by private individuals or other organizations, which are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Church. Here is one:

http://genforum.genealogy.com/paf/

You can also participate in e-mail news groups, where you can ask questions and see questions and answers from other participants. To sign up for these mail groups, go to the following web site, find the list that you want to join, and then subscribe. These groups are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Church.

http://www.rootsweb.com/~maillist/software/index.html

Also available are PAF user manuals that you may find at your local bookstore.

Learning the New Personal Ancestral File 5.0 with Quick and Easy Instructions
by Elaine Matson Reschke and George Collie Robison
Includes How to Create a Web Site
(Available at bookstores that carry LDS books)

Personal Ancestral File Video Training
(Available in English and Spanish)
The STUDIO/Videos
39 South Main
Hurricane, UT 84737
(Phone: 1-877-263-2267)
www.123genealogy.com

The following utility programs are available to enhance Personal Ancestral File 5.0:

GEN-BOOK
genealogy software for creating books
2105 Country Lane
Auburn, CA 95603-9735
(Phone: 1-530-889-8801)

Genelines
Time Lines and Genealogical Charts
http://www.progenysoftware.com
(Phone: 1-800-565-0018)

KINWRITE (Version 9)
Genealogy books directly from PAF files
LDB Associates
143 South Oakwood
Wichita, KS 67218-1727
http://www.kinwrite.com
(Phone:316-651-0204)

PAF Pal
A Powerful Utility Program for PAF 5.0
Pal Software
1065 West 10210 South
South Jordan, UT 84095
E-mail: pafpal@bigfoot.com
(Phone: 1- 801-254-0160)

These products are produced by third parties and are not endorsed or warranted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or its affiliates.

The following users group has done extensive work to help Personal Ancestral File users:

Silicon Valley PAF Users Group
http://www.svpafug.org/sys-tmpl/door/

Personal Ancestral File 5.0 Lessons:

http://www.FamilySearch.org/eng/paf/lessons/paf5.html

Return to Top of Page