On 19 May 2021, FamilySearch released FamilySearch GEDCOM 7.0, the universal file specifications for uploading and downloading family tree data. Like the previous GEDCOM, FamilySearch GEDCOM 7.0 makes it possible to transfer family tree data from one application or website to another. This data transfer can be done without changing the original file or any of its contents.
The updated GEDCOM comes with several new enhancements that software developers have been asking for and that experienced genealogists will be excited to learn about.
What Is a GEDCOM File?
GEDCOM is an acronym for Genealogical Data Communication. It is a type of file with specific rules that allows digital family history products to exchange information with each other.
Say, for example, you have a particular family tree program you’ve been working in, but there are some features in another application that you would like to try out. Without a computer file that both programs can read, you would have to start from scratch with the second program, entering all your family tree data one ancestor at a time.
Whether your family tree contains 2 or 10 generations, you definitely don’t want to start from scratch, right? (Did you know that a 10-generation family tree can have over 1,000 ancestors listed? That’s a lot of information! Not to mention all the sources and attachments that might come with it.)
This is what GEDCOM is for. It’s a specific file type that works with most family history applications and websites. As long as the developers of both products adhered to GEDCOM specifications, you shouldn’t have any trouble downloading from one and uploading to the other.
FamilySearch GEDCOM 7.0: About the 19 May Release
The previous version of GEDCOM was at least a decade old, which, in technology years, is a long time. Last year at RootsTech, the dream was born to create a new and improved version of GEDCOM, one that would better fit the needs and expectations of today’s genealogists and software developers.
FamilySearch GEDCOM 7.0 is the result of these efforts. The updated GEDCOM expands your ability to build, preserve, collaborate, import, and export your family tree data—all while maintaining control of the original copy or file, of course. The list of new or improved features includes:
- Zip packaging capabilities for photos and other files.
- An expanded and more versatile note-taking section that includes text styling and formatting.
- Sample files and code, as well as self-testing guides to support developers and engineers.
- Removal of several ambiguities from the previous version of GEDCOM.
In addition to these benefits, a public GitHub repository has been created where developers and others can read more detailed information, submit maintenance requests, and share ideas for future modifications.
Of course, taking advantage of updated technology means letting go of the old. Programs compatible with FamilySearch GEDCOM 7.0 will be able to import files from older GEDCOM versions, but the exchange won’t work the other way. In other words, programs that are only compatible with older versions of GEDCOM will not be able to import from FamilySearch GEDCOM 7.0 files.
Organizations and software developers wishing to improve their family history software should consider upgrading to be FamilySearch GEDCOM 7 compatible. Over time, the number of programs using the upgraded file type will increase, and the benefits of the new specifications will be widespread.
Learn More from RootsTech 2022!
You can learn more about FamilySearch GEDCOM 7.0 at RootsTech—the largest family history conference in the world. Sponsored by FamilySearch, the conference takes place entirely online and features hundreds of classes about genealogy topics, including GEDCOM, for free.
This year, you can expect multiple classes about FamilySearch GEDCOM 7.0, as well as introductions to some of the great companies already committed to upgrading their products to the FamilySearch GEDCOM 7.0 specifications. RootsTech is a great opportunity hear about all the benefits that come from using the upgraded file—whether you’re a developer, product manager, business owner, or committed genealogist.
FamilySearch GEDCOM 7.0 Sessions from RootsTech
