Methodology ⏱ 2 min read • Published on 15 August 2026

Understanding GEDCOM Files: Structure, Tags & Migration

A comprehensive guide to the genealogy data exchange standard: what tags mean, how relationships link, and how to safely import and export.

What is a GEDCOM File?

GEDCOM (an acronym for Genealogical Data Communication) is the universal open standard file format created by FamilySearch to allow different family tree software applications to exchange genealogical data seamlessly.

The file is saved as a plain text document with a .ged extension, organized into hierarchical numbered lines.

The Line-Based Hierarchy

Every line in a standard GEDCOM file follows a strict three-part structure:

``text
LEVEL TAG [VALUE]
``

  • Level (0, 1, 2...): Indicates the nesting depth in the tree hierarchy. Level 0 defines top-level entities (like an Individual or Family record).
  • Tag: A 3-to-4 character uppercase identifier code (such as INDI, FAM, NAME, BIRT, DATE, PLAC).
  • Value / Cross-Reference ID: The actual text, date, place, or cross-reference pointer (@I123@, @F456@).

Example Individual Record (`INDI`):

``text
0 @I1@ INDI
1 NAME John /Smith/
2 GIVN John
2 SURN Smith
1 SEX M
1 BIRT
2 DATE 14 MAR 1882
2 PLAC Manchester, Lancashire, England
1 DEAT
2 DATE 22 NOV 1954
2 PLAC Salford, Lancashire, England
1 FAMS @F1@
1 FAMC @F2@
``

Essential GEDCOM Tag Glossary

Tag Full Meaning Description
INDI Individual Marks the start of a person entity record
FAM Family Groups spouses (HUSB, WIFE) and children (CHIL)
BIRT Birth Birth event container
DEAT Death Death event container
MARR Marriage Marriage event container
DATE Date Genealogical date string (e.g. 12 MAY 1904, ABT 1850)
PLAC Place Geographical location jurisdiction hierarchy
FAMC Family Child Pointer to family where individual is a child
FAMS Family Spouse Pointer to family where individual is a spouse/partner
Important: When importing GEDCOM files from legacy desktop software, make sure character encoding is set to UTF-8 (rather than ANSI or ANSEL) to prevent accent marks and special characters from becoming corrupted.

How to Import Your GEDCOM into My Family Tree App

Migrating your existing tree from Ancestry, FamilySearch, MyHeritage, or Gramps into My Family Tree App takes just a few clicks:

  1. Export Your .ged File: In your current genealogy software, locate the export settings and choose GEDCOM 5.5.1 with UTF-8 encoding.
  2. Create Your Free Account: Sign up for a free tree on My Family Tree App.
  3. Upload & Auto-Match: Navigate to the Tree Import tool. Upload your .ged file, and optionally drag-and-drop a ZIP or folder of photos to automatically attach portraits to imported relatives.
  4. Explore the Interactive Canvas: View your entire multi-generational lineage instantly with automated kinship calculation and full living-person privacy protection.

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