Gedcom

[2001woosnam]

Hi,

I am probably acting a bit thick, but I am having terrible trouble Exporting my family tree to a Gedcom file.I have my main Family Tree on Ancestry and I follow their instructions for exporting to a Gedcom file. All appears to be in order and the file is on my desktop made up of 418 KBs. However when I try to open the file nothing appears and it is frustrating me. I have tried Ancestry's site for help but I keep getting a general set of instructions - which is what I followed in the first place!
Can anyone please put me out of my misery or do I need a kick up the backside?
Regards
John King :confused5:

[MarkJ]

Does the saved file have the .ged suffix?
What are you trying to open it with? Most genealogy programs should open a gedcom (by importing it to the program first).
As a gedcom is technically just a text file, it *can* be opened with something simple such as Notepad (don't use a word processor, such as Word for this - it can and will most likely cause corruption). Note that when opened in a text file, it really isn't very useable for most purposes - just a long list of data which doesn't seem to be in any real order (although it is if you understand it!)
418kb is a fairly large text file, so opening it with a text editor may take a while!
An uncorrupted gedcom should have - as its last line -

0 TRLR

If it doesn't, it is not correct.

I would recommend using a proper genealogy program to import the gedcom and then -assuming it is a gedcom and not a .zip or some proprietary format - it should open.

Mark

[2001woosnam]

Thanks Mark that was extremely quick. As soon as I posted the message I went on to The Genealogist website which I am also a member of and tried to import the Gedcom file from my Desktop and guess what? it transferred with no problems. I have taken note of what you have said and I thank you again - I told you I was thick!!

Regards

John

[MarkJ]

Ah - sounds as though you were trying to open it the wrong way on your desktop there John.

Anyway - as long as it is all sorted :)

Mark

[2001woosnam]

Hi Mark,

I have just noticed that in your first reply you state that the last line of a Gedcom file should end 0TRLR - mine does't appear to have that although it does have the .ged suffix.You also mention a proper genealogy programme - isn't Ancestry? I'm also now completely lost as you mention a zip or proprietary format - I'm certainly not computer literate!!! Since importing the Gedcom file to my Genealogist tree I have been unable to import it to my Genes Reunited Tree.
Old age is not easy!!
I'm sorry to trouble you again.

John

[mfwebb]

GedCom is a universal standard for communicating genealogical data and ALL programmes should be able to import/export without any problems, including Ancestry and GenesR.

Like many (most??) people, my primary source for my genealogical data is a Genealogy Software Programme housed on my desktop computer which I back up regularly. My programme of choice happens to be Brother's Keeper which I have used for 15 years, but there are many others (Roots Magic, Family Tree Maker, etc) and some of them are probably better now than BK.

I do have my tree on Genes Reunited, but I export a GedCom file from BK and then upload that to GenesR. I do it regularly and have never had a problem doing that. I have no experience of the trees on Ancestry -- I only use that site for research.

I currently have my GedCom file uploaded into my iPhone using a special GedCom viewer application available for the iPhone. Again, this uploads perfectly with no problem.

One thing that might be happening -- just a thought -- I have noted that Windows Vista and Windows 7 do not display the file extension by default when you search files in Explorer. I have this morning had a problem getting a programme to recognise a .bmp file in Windows Vista. The file was where it should have been but the extension wasn't displayed. When I unchecked the box "hide extensions for known file types", the extensions appeared and the programme then found the file with no problems.

[Peter Goodey]

You also mention a proper genealogy programme - isn't Ancestry?

No.

I get the impression from this exchange that you use Ancestry and similar sites as your basic data storage place.

If this is so, you really must obtain your own genealogical software to run on your own PC and you should use this as your master database. None of the on line sites have the facilities that you need and that are found in genealogical desktop programs. Choose carefully, if you need some suggestions please shout.

[Geoffers]

I get the impression from this exchange that you use Ancestry and similar sites as your basic data storage place.

If this is so, you really must obtain your own genealogical software to run on your own PC and you should use this as your master database.

Just to emphasize Peter's sound advice - what would you do if Ancestry, GR, Findmypast, TheGenealogist, or wherever you store the information online; went bust or the web-site was not accessible?

By what would you do, I mean apart from uttering oaths, hitting the computer, etc - how would you access your valuable research?

As mentioned on this thread and others - it is far better to have the information stored in a family history programme on your computer (with a back-up of course in case of problems with the 'puter).

[mfwebb]

I'm with Peter and Geoffers.

When I drafted my earlier post, I started by expressing my own thoughts about using Ancestry and the like as the primary source for storing genealogical data. When I came to review the post before submitting I thought it was a bit long-winded so I took out the first paragraph.

You really do need a Genealogy Software Programme on your own computer so that YOU have total control over it. Then you can do anything you want with it.

We all have our own favourite programme for a variety of reasons -- my programme is Brother's Keeper which I have used for 15 years; I know it inside out and it suits my needs perfectly. And I don't want the hassle of learning another programme. If I was looking for a programme today, BK probably wouldn't be on my shortlist.

My advice would be to have a look at the free downloads which are available -- Roots Magic, for example, has a free version which you can try before committing to a purchase, and it is the only programme I am aware of which will install on a USB stick. I am sure there are other excellent programmes out there. But don't get bogged down looking at all the knobs and whistles of each individual programme.

They all do exactly the same thing in different ways. They allow you to build up your family tree, compute relationships, keep track of ancestors, produce endless reports and family group sheets etc. etc. etc. And they ALL allow you to export a GedCom file which you can import into any other programme -- including allowing you to copy your prime source into Ancestry and GenesR.

Finally, I would advise making a choice, learning to use what you have chosen and sticking with it. As with all other computer programmes the very best programme for doing anything is the one you know and are familiar with. That's why the very best Genealogy Programme is Brother's Keeper and the best package for building websites is Microsoft Publisher :smile5: :smile5:

[Peter Goodey]

With that in mind, Malcolm, perhaps we should add that the question to ask is not "What is the best software?".

The best software is always the one that the person answering uses ;)

[mfwebb]

. . . . . The best software is always the one that the person answering uses ;)

Absolutely :biggrin5:

[2001woosnam]

Hi Everyone,

I am sorry that I have not replied sooner, but I just want to thank you all for giving me such great advice. I shall certainly have a look at Brother's Keeper and a few of the other sites mentioned and I extremely grateful to you all.

Kind regards

John