.GED File Extension
GEDCOM Genealogy Data File
| Developer | The LDS Church |
| Popularity |
3.2 | 75 Votes |
What is a GED file?
A GED file is a data file saved in the GEnealogical Data COMmunications (GEDCOM) format that contains records of family history and genealogical events, along with metadata linking the records. It often includes information about births, deaths, marriages, parent-child relationships, and other family connections.
More Information
The GEDCOM format was developed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (The LDS Church) in the 1980s to provide a standard way for genealogical researchers to save and exchange family data. Since its initial release, the format has undergone several revisions, with version 5.5.1 (released in 1999) being the most widely used. In 2021, FamilySearch released GEDCOM 7.0, adding support for new data structures and features.
GED files may be used by both casual and professional genealogists. Casual users often document their own family history, while professional researchers may use the format to manage larger genealogical databases for academic or archival purposes.
NOTE: GED files may also be saved with the .GEDCOM extension.
How to open a GED file
You can open GED files with various genealogy applications, including RootsMagic, MyHeritage Family Tree Builder, and GeneWeb. You can also upload GEDCOM files to the Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org websites.
Since GED files are saved in a text format, you can open them with a plain text editor, such as Microsoft Notepad or Apple TextEdit, and edit them. Keep in mind that opening GED files with a text editor will not display the information in the same structure as if they were displayed in a genealogical application.