Q. In order to submit a family tree to WorldConnect I need to have a GEDCOM. I am a beginner and I have no idea what a GEDCOM is and what it should contain. How do you prepare it and what does it consist of?

A. GEDCOM is the acronym for GEnealogy Data COMmunication. A GEDCOM is a specially-formatted text file that lists names, dates, places, relationships, events, and so on. The purpose of the GEDCOM format is to enable genealogical data to be exchanged between different software programs without the need to reenter the information. Most genealogy software programs will automatically generate a GEDCOM from the information the user has already input into the database.

The first step in preparing a GEDCOM is to enter your data into a genealogy program. There are many programs to choose from. Make sure that the program you choose is GEDCOM-compatible. Marthe Arends' GENEALOGY SOFTWARE GUIDE compares 27 genealogy programs. RootsWeb's Guide to Tracing Family Trees: Using Technology -- Software and GEDCOMs, provides information and links (where they exist) to the publishers of the most popular genealogy programs.
http://www.rootsweb.com/~rwguide/lesson3.htm

For more information explaining what a GEDCOM is, see
http://helpdesk.rootsweb.com/FAQ/wcgedcom1.html

When you are ready to create a GEDCOM from your family tree database, see the WorldConnect FAQ on creating a GEDCOM at http://helpdesk.rootsweb.com/FAQ/wcgedcom3.html




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