"Tracing Our Roots" Newsletter Archive (A monthly genealogy newsletter written by the late Brenda Kellow, dec'd, for the Plano Star Courier newspaper. We've included all the ones we could recover.)
GEDCOM, the acronym for GEnealogy Data COMmunication, has been around for sometime, but using it properly is still a major problem for many genealogists. Sometimes, however, unthinking users fret for days over lost data that really is there all along. If the data was in the original database and if the software is fairly up to date, all the data will usually transfer successfully. But there has to be data to be transferred in order for it to transfer.
Just this week a genealogist who had fretted several days over a GedCom file because the Notes field did not transfer. Finally, the disgruntled family historian discovered that the Notes field she was checking did not have notes in the original file! All that labor spent because of one simple failure to double-check the old data against the new. It was not a GEDCOM failure after all. It was human error.
Using GedCom to transfer data from one source to another may be an invaluable tool, but one many genealogists fail to understand. Always compare the original material against the new GEDCOM data.
Please be sure you open a Person s file where there was data in the original database. This saves frustration and time lost that cannot be recovered.
Following is a succinct procedure to successfully use GEDCOM: First, open your genealogy file where you have created your family history database. The software manual may benefit you by reading the chapter on this subject, or go to the Help file. Usually it is found under File but may be secondary under an entry labeled Import or Export.
It is mandatory that you pay attention to what your genealogy program uses as a name and that it carries an extension (the letters after the dot) of .ged. It may look something like this: Hopkins.ged. The extension for a family file in Legacy Family Tree is .fdb or .paf in Personal Ancestral File. If you are sending the file as a zipped or compressed file, be sure to select .Zip and no other extension. Write down the name your software program gives your new file and where it is stored on your computer. It will look something like C:\fdb\Hopkins.ged.
With the file created in GEDCOM, it is time to leave your old software and open the new program you are using. Use the File menu and select Import from the drop down menu. Then select GEDCOM File. You may want to read the chapter on importing a GEDCOM file in your new software s manual.
From here it is not difficult to complete the task. Just follow the instructions on the screen and in the manual. The importing wizards in most modern programs make this a snap!
Use GEDCOM for its purpose and use it often without fear. Ninety nine percent of the time it does its job without incident. If for some reason you do not export it perfectly then just import it again and delete the problem file. Usually the problems are human errors.
DAR DOES LOOKUPS
The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution volunteer Genies conduct free lookups on their Web site for your ancestor if you think he or she served in the American Revolution. Provide the first and last name, spouse s name, dates of birth, death, and state of residence in your request to their site at http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec?htx=board&r=rw&p=topics.organizations.dar.
Happy Independence Day!
Fly your flag and watch a parade with your family and friends. We are a free country. Celebrate it!
Brenda Kellow, dec'd, Certified Genealogist and Certified Genealogical Instructor, had a Bachelor s Degree in history and taught genealogy courses at the local Community College and computer genealogy at the University.
