If you have used more than one genealogy program, you have almost certainly met GEDCOM. It is the format that lets a family tree built in one app open in another, and it has been the genealogy world's common language for decades.
What a GEDCOM file actually contains
A GEDCOM file is plain text with a defined structure. It records the building blocks of a family tree: individuals (with names, sexes, and life events), families (links between spouses and their children), events (births, marriages, deaths, with dates and places), and references to sources. Because the structure is standardized, any program that understands GEDCOM can read a tree another program wrote.
The two versions you will see
- GEDCOM 5.5.1 is the older standard and still the most widely supported. Major services like Ancestry, MyHeritage, and Family Tree Maker read it reliably, so it is the safe choice for maximum compatibility.
- GEDCOM 7 is the modern revision. It handles media, notes, and non-English text more cleanly. Choose it when the app on the other end supports it.
When you are not sure what the receiving app accepts, export 5.5.1. If you already have a file in the wrong version, the free GEDCOM checker and converter converts it in your browser and lists anything that will not survive the trip.
Why GEDCOM matters for your research
GEDCOM is what keeps your work portable. With it you can move your tree out of one company's website, back it up, or bring an existing tree into a new tool.
GEDCOM and KleioBase
You can export your tree as a GEDCOM file (GEDCOM 7 or 5.5.1, with or without your record images) on any plan, and import an existing GEDCOM tree from another app, also on any plan. As you add records, KleioBase reads them and connects them into one archive, and GEDCOM is how that work moves in and out.
Frequently asked questions
- What does GEDCOM stand for?
- GEnealogical Data COMmunication. It is a plain-text file format created to move genealogical data between different programs.
- What is the difference between GEDCOM 5.5.1 and GEDCOM 7?
- GEDCOM 5.5.1 is the older version with the widest support across apps like Ancestry and MyHeritage. GEDCOM 7 is the modern revision with cleaner handling of things like media and notes. If you are unsure what the other app supports, 5.5.1 is the safer choice.
- Does a GEDCOM file include my document images?
- A GEDCOM file describes the tree, meaning its people, families, and events. Images can be referenced or bundled depending on the export, but the core file is the structured tree, not the scans.
- Can I import and export GEDCOM with KleioBase?
- Yes. KleioBase exports your tree as GEDCOM 7 or 5.5.1 on every plan, and can import a GEDCOM file from another app on every plan too.
Related
Build your connected family archive
Upload your first record and let KleioBase read it, translate it, and connect it to every person in your tree. Free to start.
Start free