- If you don't mind it being online temporarily, you could simply upload it to ancestry.com as a private tree (make it unindexed also). Then download it as a GEDCOM (and delete it from ancestry). This isn't as cumbersome as it sounds!
- How do I download my gedcom file from my 23andme account and upload to Gedmatch? I've been able to find an Ancestry finder file and a Relative finder file, but both files are in (.csv) format. The gedmatch doesn't accept the file type that 23andme gives me. Am I missing something on 23andme's site?
- Jan 7, 2019 - Click on 'Download your GEDCOM file'. GEDCOM stands for 'GEnealogy Data COMmunication', and is a universal data format for exchanging.
In this post, you will learn about Gedcom files and how to upload your Gedcom file to Gedmatch. In order to follow the process that I describe below, you will need to download your Gedcom from the online website where you made your family tree, or export it from the family tree software that you use. “Download” folder. GEDCOM files in that folder will appear in the right panel. Click on the file. Click “Open” to open the file. Importing Your Family Tree from Ancestry.com 31 May 2016 Page 5 14. You can leave this window “as is” or change the option and fill in the blanks as desired.
If you've spent much time online researching your family tree, then it is likely that you've either downloaded a GEDCOM file (extension .ged) from the Internet or received one from a fellow researcher. Or you may have an old GEDCOM file on your computer from research you entered years ago into a now-defunct family history software program. In other words, you have a nifty family tree file which may contain vital clues to your ancestors and your computer can't seem to open it. What to do?
Open a GEDCOM File Using Stand-Alone Genealogy Software
These instructions will work to open GEDCOM files in most family tree software programs. See your program's help file for more specific instructions.
- Launch your family tree program and close any open genealogy files.
- In the top-left hand corner of your screen, click the File menu.
- Select either Open, Import or Import GEDCOM.
- If .ged is not already highlighted in the 'file type' box, then scroll down and select GEDCOM or .ged.
- Browse to the location on your computer where you save your GEDCOM files and select the file that you want to open.
- The program will create a new genealogy database containing the information from the GEDCOM. Enter a filename for this new database, making sure that is one that you can distinguish from your own files. Example: 'powellgedcom'
- Click Save or Import.
- The program may then ask you to make a few choices regarding the import of your GEDCOM file. Just follow the directions. If you're not sure what to select, then just stick with the default options.
- Click OK.
- A confirmation box may appear stating that your import was successful.
- You should now be able to read the GEDCOM file in your genealogy software program as a regular family tree file.
Upload a GEDCOM File to Create an Online Family Tree
If you don't own family tree software, or prefer to work online, you can also use a GEDCOM file to create an online family tree, allowing you to easily browse the data. However, if you have received a GEDCOM file from someone else, you should be sure to get their permission before using this option as they may not wish the information they have shared with you to be available online. Most online family trees do offer the option to create a completely private tree (see below).
Some online family tree builder programs, most notably Ancestry Member Trees and MyHeritage, include an option to start a new family tree by importing a GEDCOM file.
- From the Upload a Family Tree page on Ancestry, click on the Browse button to the right of 'Choose a file.' In the window that comes up, browse to the appropriate GEDCOM file on your hard drive. Select the file and then click the Open button. Enter a name for your family tree and accept the submission agreement (read it first!).
- From the main MyHeritage page, select Import Tree (GEDCOM) under the 'Get Started' button. Navigate to the file on your computer and click Open. Then select Get Started to import the GEDCOM file and create your family tree (don't forget to read the Service Terms and Privacy Policy!).
Both Ancestry.com and MyHeritage.com offer options to create a completely private online family tree, viewable only by you, or the people you invite. These are not the default option settings, however, so if you want a private family tree you will need to take a few extra steps. See What are the Privacy Options for My Family Site? on MyHeritage or Privacy for Your Family Tree on Ancestry.com for step-by-step instructions.
Ancestry.com GEDCOM export issues
Hello, I'm new to the sub and I'm not sure if this is an appropriate post (please let me know) but I just wanted to share that Ancestry.com has some serious issues with their GEDCOM export and I wanted to alert other users.
I've spent the last 3 years keeping my primary family tree on ancestry.com (posting all information from all sources there because I like their interface) and from time to time downloading the GEDCOM as a backup. I never actually opened it, I just trusted that it had all the information. It does not.
Just recently I attempted to import the GEDCOM into another program (Family Tree - Heritage) and found that quite a large number of people are missing from my GEDCOM, and not just distant relatives either - it included some 2nd great grandfathers! I thought maybe there was a problem with the import, so I opened the raw GEDCOM file and they were missing from the GEDCOM itself.
I called Ancestry.com support to ask them about getting a complete GEDCOM backup, and I was basically told that GEDCOM is 'not their product (i.e. they didn't invent it)' and that it is 'not supported' and pretty much just told to search ancestry support forums and groups for help with GEDCOM. They also told me that I could manually enter the missing people into my other software if I wanted. I have almost a thousand people in my tree. The thought of manually going through and matching up the missing people sounds daunting, and defeats the purpose of backing up my ancestry.com tree.
I could be wrong, but so far the only software I found that will connect to Ancestry.com and download a tree is Family Tree Maker, which is no longer an ancestry.com product - but it can be purchased from a separate company for $69. I was able to find an online coupon for $40 off, so I got it for $29 and used it to download my tree. As far as I can tell, I don't yet see any missing people. I just didn't want all my years' work only on ancestry.com - I wanted a backup.
Ged.com File Viewer
Interesting note: it also downloads photos, which is great. Also, I seem to be getting hints on the Family Tree Maker software which weren't showing up in the Ancestry.com interface.
Perhaps there are better ways to do this, I'd love to hear suggestions.
TL;DR: GEDCOM Download from Ancestry.com has serious issues (missing people) and shouldn't be relied upon for backup of your data. Ancestry.com support no help. Family Tree Maker software (originally an ancestry.com product but they discontinued it) can still be purchased from a third party (find a coupon!) to download data, and so far I don't see any missing people.