Genealogy Data Communication

The GEDCOM formats are supported by most of the genealogy softwares available and in use today. This format was developed by the Family History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints as a support system for the genealogical research. This file can be read in editors like Notepad or Textpad and hence allows various types of computers and programs to share geneological data. Its format and usage are described in a written and open specification. The format was readily adopted by different vendors in a variety of software products and has become a standard for genealogy programs. Genealogists, the world over use GEDCOM to save,transfer and edit files containing genealogical data.

The Concept
GEDCOM structure is the collection of data based on a nuclear family and the concerned individual name. It is neither a verification model nor goes deep into research for the 'original' form, if it exists. This format simply allows the structuring of data in accordance with the records of the family and individuals as entered in the storage. Each GEDCOM file contains a header, trailer and a record section. The records section comprises of certain notes and the data specification as IND for individual or FAM for family record and so on. Much like an excel sheet, every GEDCOM file contains the top level of the main top-level records like IND, FAM or NOTE. The other level numbers are positive integers incorporating further information on the subject.

It is simply a database of records wherein the pointers track the location of the relation and the individual concerned. For example, a name 'Sara Parker' would be enlisted or found in the file sharing database of the 'Parker' family tree and can be traced with reference to the searched genealogical base. Thus, there are two sections of a GEDCOM file. The first section includes the name and information of an individual. The second section lists all the associated relationships of that individual.

Working with GEDCOM files
Although, a GEDCOM file can be read by any text editor, it is always preferable to use a software application that is specially designed for viewing tree diagrams or GEDCOM formats. The first and foremost step on downloading or on receiving a GEDCOM file through an e-mail account, is to save it in a safe and easy to locate place on the hard drive. Ensure the authenticity of the genealogy file. As stated earlier, the format or the file extension is '.ged'; although, a compressed GEDCOM file uses a '.zip' extension. A file created in a tree diagram format by a random genealogy software program is not the recommended format to be used. Last but not the least, the file has to be decompressed, if at all it is in a zip file and then opened with the existing GEDCOM format. The file systems used in GEDCOM's lately, allow a great deal of flexibility in its usage. Multimedia files capturing your precious events like a marriage or birthday parties can also be stored in this format. The latest version in development is the GEDCOM 6.0, also known as GEDCOM XML.

Until now, the GEDCOM files were limited to the desktops of the genealogists. A new concept called the GenWeb, which means GEDCOM on the Internet allows instant access to a database of any family tree and all the associated services. GEDCOM files save as much as 80% storage space as compared to a '.txt' file format. An usual family tree format with all the graphic features saves a data of 2000 family members in a 6MB file, a GEDCOM format stores the same in 450 K bytes file. Future genealogy programs will integrate reasoning and require proof along with the entry in a database. For example, any significant event will have to be supported with corresponding evidences or reasoning to validate its authenticity.
Let us hope that with GEDCOM, the information becomes more detailed and as trustworthy as possible.