How to Create a GEDCOM File from Any Genealogy Software

Before you start

Before exporting, make sure your tree is in good shape:

• Save recent changes: Ensure all your latest edits have been saved
• Choose the right tree: If you have multiple trees, identify which one you want to export
• Note the individual count: This helps you verify the export was complete

The export process takes just a few clicks in most programs and produces a single .ged file.

Ancestry.com

1. Log in and go to your family tree
2. Click your tree name in the top-left corner
3. Select "Tree Settings" from the dropdown
4. Scroll down and click "Export Tree"
5. Ancestry will prepare the file — this may take a few minutes for large trees
6. Click "Download your GEDCOM file" when it's ready

The file will be saved to your downloads folder as a .ged file. Note: Ancestry exports in GEDCOM 5.5 format and does not include photos or DNA data.

FamilySearch

FamilySearch doesn't have a built-in GEDCOM export for its shared tree. Instead, use one of these approaches:

1. GEDCOM Exporter browser extension: Install the "GEDCOM Exporter for FamilySearch" Chrome extension, navigate to a person in your tree, and click the extension to export their ancestors or descendants
2. RootsFinder: Connect your FamilySearch account to RootsFinder, then export from there
3. Gramps: Use the FamilySearch Gramplet to import data into Gramps, then export as GEDCOM

Each method lets you choose how many generations to include.

MyHeritage

1. Go to Family Tree in the top menu
2. Select "Manage Trees"
3. Find your tree and click "Actions" (three dots)
4. Choose "Export to GEDCOM"
5. The file will download automatically

MyHeritage exports a full GEDCOM including source citations and notes. Photos are not included in the GEDCOM file.

Gramps (desktop)

1. Open your tree in Gramps
2. Go to File > Export
3. Select "GEDCOM" as the format
4. Choose a save location and file name
5. Configure export options (recommended: include notes and sources, use UTF-8 encoding)
6. Click "Export"

Gramps gives you the most control over GEDCOM export settings, including character encoding, privacy filters for living individuals, and which data types to include.

RootsMagic

1. Open your database in RootsMagic
2. Go to File > Export
3. Select "GEDCOM" as the export format
4. Choose which people to include (all, selected, or filtered)
5. Set export options (GEDCOM version, character set, privatise living people)
6. Click "Export"

RootsMagic supports both GEDCOM 5.5 and 7.0 exports.

Legacy Family Tree

1. Go to File > Export File
2. Choose "Entire File" or select specific individuals
3. Select "GEDCOM" format
4. Configure options (include notes, sources, to-do items)
5. Click "Export"

Legacy allows you to privatise living individuals during export — a good practice when sharing your GEDCOM.

Other software

Most genealogy programs follow a similar pattern:

• Look in the File menu for "Export" or "Save As"
• Choose GEDCOM (.ged) as the format
• Select export options and a save location
• Click Export

If your software doesn't support GEDCOM export, check if it can export to another format that can be converted, or consider importing your data into a free program like Gramps first.

Verifying your export

After exporting, verify your GEDCOM is complete:

1. Check the file size: A tree with 1,000 individuals typically produces a file of 500 KB to 2 MB
2. Upload to GEDminer: The Overview will show you the total count of individuals and families — compare this with your source program
3. Spot-check key people: Find a few important individuals and verify their dates and places came through correctly
4. Run error detection: GEDminer's Integrity tools will flag any data that was corrupted or lost during export

If the counts don't match, try re-exporting with different settings (especially character encoding — use UTF-8 when possible).