What is a GEDCOM file?
A GEDCOM file (.ged) is a plain text file that holds a family tree: people, names, dates, places, families and sources, in a format almost every genealogy program can read and write. Version 5.5.1 is the one to use for moving a tree between programs; Kinroll imports GEDCOM files in ChatGPT and exports 5.5.1 in UTF-8.
Updated · The Open Apps, Inc.
Step by step
- Export from your current program. Look for Export, Download tree or Save as GEDCOM in the tree's settings or the File menu. Choose GEDCOM 5.5.1 if you're asked.
- Import into Kinroll. Attach the .ged file in ChatGPT and say “Import this GEDCOM file”. Kinroll makes a new tree from it.
- Check the starting person. Kinroll starts the tree from the first person in the file; say who it should start from if that's someone else.
- Export again whenever you like. Say “Export my tree as a GEDCOM file” for a download link that works for an hour.
What's inside
Each line has a level number, a tag and a value: “1 BIRT” starts a birth, “2 DATE 12 MAR 1921” and “2 PLAC Lucca, Italy” describe it. People (INDI) and families (FAM) point to each other, and sources (SOUR) are cited from the facts they support.
Some programs add their own tags starting with an underscore. Other programs may skip them, which is why notes and media links sometimes don't make the trip.
What travels in a GEDCOM file
| Part of the tree | In GEDCOM 5.5.1 | Kinroll import | Kinroll export |
|---|---|---|---|
| Names, sex, other names | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Births, baptisms, deaths, burials, marriages, residences, occupations | Yes | Yes | Yes; living people's left out by default |
| Families and adopted or foster children | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sources and citations | Yes | Yes, with page details | Yes, with transcriptions |
| Photos and scans | Links only | No | No |
| ID numbers (SSN, IDNO) | Yes | Dropped | Never |
Use it in ChatGPT
Kinroll Family Tree is a ChatGPT plugin. Type one of these:
- “Import this GEDCOM file (attach the .ged)”
- “Export my tree as a GEDCOM file”
- “Export a full backup including living people”
Questions
- Which version should I choose?
- GEDCOM 5.5.1 unless the receiving program asks for something else. GEDCOM 7.0 (2021) is newer, but fewer programs read it.
- Is a GEDCOM file private?
- It is whatever you put in it. Kinroll's export leaves living people's dates, places and notes out unless you ask for a full backup.
- How big can it be?
- Kinroll imports files up to 10 MB and 5,000 people.