GenServ - GEDMAKE Genealogical Server 1 August 1997 The latest version of this file may be obtained anytime by sending any message (even a blank one) to: gedmake@GenServ.COM ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) What is a GEDCOM Data file and how to make one ? 2) How to Export GEDCOM Files Using Popular Software Packages ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) What is a GEDCOM Data file and how to make one ? When Genealogical programs were first being written, it became obvious that information that one researcher had accumulated required hours of input by another research just to add the data to his Genealogical Program. When databases went from a few hundred records to tens of thousands of records, the manual importation of this data became a major stumbling block to researchers. Standards of data were created by software vendors that united on the concept of how to transmit large databases either by modem or on some form of media (diskettes). While this standard is still being debated, the first GEDCOM files were being created which allowed for the virtual instantaneous importation of large or small amounts of Genealogical data into various software programs. This saved hundreds and thousands of hours of manual data entry. Today this file is called a GEDCOM. GEDCOM stands for GEnealogical Data COMmunications". Simply put, all software packages that have any value at all, incorporate the capacity to generate a standardized file which may contain all or parts of your Genealogical Data base. This GEDCOM file can be read by the import utility of these same software packages, allowing you to merge your data with the data of someone else. Cutting down on the manual input. Most Import programs allow for "selective import" as there may be parts of a GEDCOM that you have no interest in. While new standards for GEDCOM files are being worked on, most software manufactures have incorporated GEDCOM standards which are acceptable to most other products. Proprietary versions have also been written which are unique to just certain platforms. If you plan on purchasing a genealogy program, make certain that one of the fundamental features is the capacity to generate GEDCOMs in readily recognizable formats. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) How to Export GEDCOM Files Using Popular Software Packages 1. Family Origins 4.0 or 5.0 2. Genealogical Information Manager (GIM) 3. GENE 4. Family Tree Maker 3.0 5. Reunion 6. Roots VI 7. Personal Ancestral File (PAF 2.31) After exporting your file from any of these programs, make sure you have saved it onto your diskette. You don't want to send a blank diskette! I. FAMILY ORIGINS 4.0 for Windows 1. Click on "FILE", "GEDCOM", "EXPORT" 2. Choose a disk drive: A or B, wherever your disk is located and type in a file name. 3. Click "OK" 4. Select: "General" and "Export entire database" 5. Check: "Export notes" and "Export sources" 6. Click "OK" II. GIM (Genealogical Information Manager) 1. F5 - GEDCOM 2. F1 - GEDCOM Export 3. Select GIM Folder for export (using mouse or arrow keys) 4. Select directory for new file (A or B drive for a floppy disk) 5. Press P for PAF 2.2 or later. 6. Press I for IBMPC character set. III. GENE (Macintosh) 1. Select "Export..." from under the "File" menu. 2. Type in a file name, eight letters or less, and add ".ged" to the end of the file name. 3. Press the "Save" button. 4. Copy the file to an MSDOS diskette, which can be done with Apple File Exchange or an equivalent utility. If possible, test your diskette on a DOS (PC-compatible) computer before mailing it. IV. FAMILY TREE MAKER 3.0 (MSDOS and or Windows) 1. Open your family file. 2. Select File, then Copy/Export Family File. 3. Change File Format to GEDCOM. 4. Create a name for your file, such as FAMILY.GED. 5. Choose from the following selections: PAF (Version 4 or 5), PAF 2.1, IBMPC, DOS. 6. Select no "indent" and "abbreviated tags." 7. Fields to Export: FACT fields cannot be imported into GenServ as _FA1, _FA2, etc. Choose Don't Export for these fields or Change Field to another field name (but not INFO, DSCR or REMA). If possible, put FACTS onto the NOTES page instead. 8. Click OK. V. REUNION (MAC) 1. Choose a family file from which you wish to extract the GEDCOM. 2. Under the File Menu choose Export, GEDCOM file. 3. In the GEDCOM Export Window: a. Assign outgoing custom field data from the pull-down selections. b. Select any destination option, such as "Reunion" c. Select which notes to include (preferably all of them!): - Misc. Notes - CONC - Sources - Reference Notes d. Select Prune options, if any, such as: - Marked Cards Only - ... and their children e. Select Character Set: MS-DOS f. Click the Submitter button to show the Submitter window. This will allow entry of Submitter data within the GEDCOM. g. Click Export. This will bring up the File Save window. VI. ROOTS IV Be sure to save your file as a ROOTS 3 GEDCOM file, since ROOTS IV "GEDCOM" cannot be read by used by this system. VII. PAF 2.31 Start PAF Select option 2. "Genealogical Information Exchange" Select option 3. "Genealogical Data Communication GEDCOM" Select option 1. "Create GEDCOM File" Select Family Record Data Disk (Source path): Usually c:\paf Select File Disk (Target Path): usually c:\paf or a:\paf Enter name of GEDCOM: Example: Manis F1 to continue Next screen - Type of data to include Select option 5. "All Family Records Data" Next screen - Display or enter submitters information F1 to accept submitters information in file Next screen - Notes Select option 2: "All" to include all notes Next screen - Release version Select option 1: "PAF release format 2.31" Next screen - comments Include necessary comments desired F1 - Save GEDCOM creation begins. Copy completed GEDCOM from target drive to diskette for mailing. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Send any message to the addresses below to request these files: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- geninfo@GenServ.com - Latest info about GenServ genhow2@GenServ.com - How to format requests genrpts@GenServ.com - Sample reports gedmake@GenServ.com - GEDCOM file? How to make? genem@GenServ.com - How to send a GEDCOM email genftp@GenServ.com - How to send a GEDCOM ftp genpostal@GenServ.com - How to send a GEDCOM postal mail disclaimer@GenServ.com - GenServ Disclaimer The GenServ System home page on the World Wide Web at URL: http://www.genserv.com Cliff Manis ADMIN@genserv.com HHC, 18th MEDCOM PO Box 579 APO AP 96205 USA