Written by Generation Archives. We make one of the apps that reads and writes GEDCOM, and this guide explains how it works with ours as well as in general.

What is GEDCOM? A plain-English guide to moving family trees between apps

Published by Generation Archives. Last updated October 25, 2026.

If you have ever tried to move a family tree from one website or program to another, you have probably been told to "export a GEDCOM." It sounds technical, but the idea is simple. This guide explains what GEDCOM is, what it carries, what it usually leaves behind, and how to move a tree between apps without losing work.

Want to see a tree while you read? Open the Generation Archives demo, no signup needed.

GEDCOM in one sentence

GEDCOM is a plain-text file format that lets genealogy programs exchange family tree data. The name stands for GEnealogical Data COMmunication. The files usually end in .ged.

It was created by FamilySearch (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) in the 1980s, and it became the common language of family tree software. Almost every genealogy program and website can import or export it.

What is inside a GEDCOM file

Open a .ged file in a text editor and you will see lines like these:

0 @I1@ INDI
1 NAME Margaret /Hale/
1 BIRT
2 DATE 12 MAR 1931
2 PLAC Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
0 @F1@ FAM
1 HUSB @I2@
1 WIFE @I1@
1 CHIL @I3@

Each person (INDI) and each family (FAM) gets an ID, and families link people together as spouses and children. Typically a GEDCOM carries:

  • Names
  • Dates and places of events like birth, marriage, and death
  • Relationships: who is married to whom, and who are whose children
  • Notes and sources, depending on the program

What GEDCOM usually leaves out

GEDCOM is great for the structure of a tree, but it is not a full backup of everything you see on screen. Things that often do not transfer:

  • Photos. A GEDCOM file is text. At most it may contain a reference to where an image lives; the image itself is not inside.
  • Layout. Where you placed people on the screen, colors, and display settings are specific to each app.
  • App-specific extras. Custom fields, tags, and features unique to one program may be dropped or turned into notes.
  • Some relationship details. Programs record things like adoption in different ways, and not every app reads them the same way.

That is why it is a good habit to check a few people after any import.

GEDCOM versions: 5.5.1, 7.0, and GEDZIP

You may see a few versions mentioned:

  • GEDCOM 5.5.1 is the long-standing version from the late 1990s. It is still the most widely supported, so choose it if you are unsure.
  • GEDCOM 7.0 is the newer version, released in 2021, with clearer rules.
  • GEDZIP is a GEDCOM 7 file packaged as a .zip archive. It can carry links to pictures. The image files themselves are not in the archive.

How GEDCOM works in Generation Archives

Generation Archives imports and exports GEDCOM, so you can bring people in from other software and take a portable copy out whenever you like.

  • Import: open a tree, click Import / export on the tree toolbar, and choose a GEDCOM 5.5.1, GEDCOM 7.0, GEDZIP, or Family Echo HTML file. You see a preview of what was found before anything is created, and the import becomes a new tree.
  • Export: from the same window, export GEDCOM 5.5.1, GEDCOM 7.0, or GEDZIP. The same window also exports a picture of the whole tree as PDF, PNG, or JPEG, which is handy for printing but is not a data format other apps can import.

Our GEDCOM exports carry people and relationships, not picture files. A GEDZIP export keeps the links to pictures, but the image files are not copied into the archive. Keep your original photo files somewhere safe as well.

Importing requires a free account. The demo is for trying things out, and demo changes stay on your device.

A special case: Family Echo

Family Echo can export GEDCOM, CSV, and FamilyScript, but none of those include photos. If you are moving from Family Echo and want your pictures, use its Read-only HTML export instead (click Download below the tree and choose Read-only HTML). Generation Archives imports that file directly, and photos land on the right people, along with relationships and birth years.

Step-by-step instructions are in how to import a Family Echo tree.

How to move a tree between apps: a checklist

  1. Export from the old app. Look for "Export," "Download," or "Share" and choose GEDCOM. If you are offered 5.5.1 or 7.0 and are unsure, choose 5.5.1.
  2. Keep the original file. Save the .ged somewhere safe. It is a useful backup even after you switch.
  3. Gather your photos separately, unless the app offers an export that includes them (like Family Echo's Read-only HTML).
  4. Import into the new app. In Generation Archives, use Import / export and review the preview.
  5. Spot-check. Look at a few people from different branches. Are names, dates, and relationships right?
  6. Re-attach photos where needed. In Generation Archives you can upload photos or link photos you already store elsewhere.
  7. Arrange the tree. Layouts do not travel in GEDCOM. Use auto arrange for a starting point, then drag people where you want them and save named layouts.
  8. Keep exporting now and then. A regular GEDCOM export is a simple backup of the tree's structure.

When GEDCOM is the right tool, and when it is not

Use GEDCOM when you want to move people and relationships between programs, share a tree with a relative who uses different software, or keep a portable backup.

Look for something else when you want to move photos, layouts, or app-specific features. In that case check whether the app offers a richer export, and plan to re-attach photos.

Frequently asked questions

Is GEDCOM free to use?

Yes. It is an open format. Any program can read or write it, and you do not need special software to open a .ged file.

Does GEDCOM include photos?

Not the photo files themselves. It may reference where an image is stored. Plan to move photos separately, or use an export format that includes them.

Which version should I choose?

If you are unsure, GEDCOM 5.5.1. It is the most widely supported. Choose 7.0 or GEDZIP if the app you are moving to supports them.

Can I import a tree from Ancestry or other sites?

If the site lets you export a GEDCOM, Generation Archives can import it. Records and DNA matches stay with the original site. See Generation Archives vs Ancestry.

Will importing a GEDCOM overwrite my existing tree?

No. In Generation Archives, a GEDCOM import creates a new tree.

Bring your tree over

Open the demo to see how a tree looks and feels, no signup needed. When you are ready, create a free account and import your GEDCOM, or your Family Echo "Read-only HTML" file if you want the photos too.

Try the demo Sample tree Create a free account

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