Questions & Answers

A GEDCOM file is a standard format used to store and transfer family tree data between genealogy programs. It contains structured information about individuals, families, relationships, dates, and locations. Most genealogy software lets you export your tree as a .ged file, which GEDminer can analyse in your browser.

Upload your GEDCOM file and GEDminer will help you explore people, locations, migration patterns, and data gaps. It's designed to make it easier to spot patterns and prioritise what to research next.

GEDminer processes your GEDCOM file entirely in your browser - your original file is never uploaded to a server for analysis, and it is never stored. Your family tree stays in your browser. GEDminer does send a small set of anonymous, aggregate Tree Health statistics (four percentages, your individual and family counts, and a one-way tree fingerprint computed locally from hashed identity signals) so the community comparison can be calculated. This happens automatically when the Tree Health analysis runs, signed in or not. It contains no names, dates, places or GEDCOM records. If you create an account, only the parsed analysis results (names, dates, places, and relationships extracted from your file) are stored in a managed cloud database (encrypted in transit and at rest) so you can return to your work later. Your original GEDCOM file is never stored. Without an account, your tree is never uploaded and research changes such as notes and dismissals are not kept between visits by default - closing the tab clears them. If you would rather keep them in this browser, turn on "Remember my changes on this device" in Settings; basic application preferences like your theme are remembered either way. You're always in control.

When you sign in, GEDminer saves the parsed analysis results - the structured data extracted from your GEDCOM file (individuals, families, and relationships). This is stored in a managed database (encrypted in transit and at rest) and scoped to your account by row-level security. Your original .ged file is never stored or transmitted. You can delete your saved data at any time from your account settings.

Community comparison uses anonymous, aggregate Tree Health statistics contributed automatically when the analysis runs - for anonymous visitors as well as signed-in users. There is no account requirement and no separate opt-in step. Sent: your four aggregate health percentages, how many individuals and families your tree contains, a one-way tree fingerprint computed locally from hashed identity signals, and short-lived server-generated rate-limiting information. Not sent: your GEDCOM file, names, dates, places, notes, sources, or anything that could reconstruct your tree.

Yes - GEDminer is free to use with or without an account. If you've found it useful, a small donation is greatly appreciated and helps fund continued development and hosting costs. You can do this via the "Support GEDminer" link in the footer.

No, GEDminer does not use AI to analyse your GEDCOM file. All analysis is rules-based: GEDminer checks dates, places, relationships, missing facts, possible errors, census opportunities, and research gaps using programmed logic rather than an AI model. Your family tree data is not used to train AI systems, and GEDminer does not send your GEDCOM to any AI service.

Migration analysis can highlight first international moves, peak migration decades, common destination countries, and regional movement patterns. It can uncover overlooked branches and guide further research.

GEDminer helps identify missing birth, marriage or death details, incomplete locations, and generational gaps. This makes it easier to prioritise research and improve overall tree quality.

Yes. GEDminer uses background processing to handle large GEDCOM files while keeping the interface responsive. Performance depends on your device and browser, but it's designed for substantial family trees.

GEDminer works in modern browsers including Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari (latest versions recommended). For best performance, use the most up-to-date version of your browser.