The GEDCOM Standard Release 5.5
Chapter 2
Lineage-Linked Grammar
Introduction
This chapter describes the specific tag, value, and pointer combinations used for exchanging family-based lineage-linked genealogical information in the GEDCOM format. Lineage-linked data pertains
to individuals linked in family relationships across multiple generations. The chapter also addresses
specific compatibility issues pertaining to previous Lineage-Linked GEDCOM Form releases and
contains a sample lineage-linked GEDCOM transmission.
The Lineage-Linked GEDCOM Form defined in this chapter is based on the general framework of
the GEDCOM data representation grammar defined in Chapter 1. Commercial genealogical software
systems are invited to use the Lineage-Linked GEDCOM Form to exchange data. It is the only form
approved for exchanging data with Ancestral File, TempleReady and other Family History resource
files maintained for this purpose.
Organization
The basic description of the
Lineage-Linked GEDCOM Form's grammar
is presented in the
following three major sections:
The definition of the tags used in defining the lineage-linked structures are contained in Appendix A.
Symbols Used in Chapter 2
The following symbols are used in Chapter 2:
<<
double_angle bracket
>>
Indicates a subordinate GEDCOM structure pattern of a record, structure, or substructure is to
be substituted in place of the enclosing double angle brackets. The substitute structure pattern is
found subordinate to the LINEAGE_LINKED_GEDCOM for record
pattern definition or in alphabetical order under the "Substructures of the Lineage-Linked Form"
section.
<
Single_angle bracket
>
Indicates the name of the appropriate value for this GEDCOM line%
<
Primitive
>
. The specific
definition of this value is found in alphabetical order in "Primitive Elements of the Lineage-Linked Form,".
{
braces
}
Indicates the minimum to maximum occurrences allowed for this structure or
line%
{
Minimum:Maximum
}
. Note that minimum and maximum occurrence limits are defined relative to the enclosing superior line. This means that a required line (minimum = 1) is not
required if the optional enclosing superior line is not present. Similarly, a line occurring only
once (maximum = 1) may occur multiple times as long as each occurs only once under its own
multiple-occurring superior line.
[
Square brackets
]
Indicates a choice of one or more options%
[
Choice of
]
.
|
vertical bar
|
Separates the multiple choices, for example [Choice 1
|
Choice 2].
n
level number
A level number which assumes the level number of the line which referenced the substructure
name.
+1
,
+2
...
A
+1
level number is 1 greater than the level number assumed by the superior
n level. A +2
level number is 2 greater, and so forth.
0xHH
Indicates an allowable hexadecimal character value where HH is that value, for example, 0x20
(decimal 32) indicates the space character.
Lineage-Linked Form Usage Conventions
Record Structures of the Lineage-Linked Form
LINEAGE_LINKED_GEDCOM:
=
This is a model of the lineage-linked GEDCOM structure for submitting data to other
lineage-linked GEDCOM processing systems. A header and a trailer record are required, and
they can enclose any number of data records. Tags from Appendix A must be
used in the same context as shown in the following form. User defined tags (see
<NEW_TAG>) are discouraged but when used must begin with an under-score.
0 <<HEADER>> {1:1}
0 <<SUBMISSION_RECORD>> {0:1}
0 <<RECORD>> {1:M}
0 TRLR {1:1}
HEADER:
=
n HEAD {1:1}
+1 SOUR <APPROVED_SYSTEM_ID> {1:1}
+2 VERS <VERSION_NUMBER> {0:1}
+2 NAME <NAME_OF_PRODUCT> {0:1}
+2 CORP <NAME_OF_BUSINESS> {0:1}
+3 <<ADDRESS_STRUCTURE>> {0:1}
+2 DATA <NAME_OF_SOURCE_DATA> {0:1}
+3 DATE <PUBLICATION_DATE> {0:1}
+3 COPR <COPYRIGHT_SOURCE_DATA> {0:1}
+1 DEST <RECEIVING_SYSTEM_NAME> {0:1*}
+1 DATE <TRANSMISSION_DATE> {0:1}
+2 TIME <TIME_VALUE> {0:1}
+1 SUBM @XREF:SUBM@ {1:1}
+1 SUBN @XREF:SUBN@ {0:1}
+1 FILE <FILE_NAME> {0:1}
+1 COPR <COPYRIGHT_GEDCOM_FILE> {0:1}
+1 GEDC {1:1}
+2 VERS <VERSION_NUMBER> {1:1}
+2 FORM <GEDCOM_FORM> {1:1}
+1 CHAR <CHARACTER_SET> {1:1}
+2 VERS <VERSION_NUMBER> {0:1}
+1 LANG <LANGUAGE_OF_TEXT> {0:1}
+1 PLAC {0:1}
+2 FORM <PLACE_HIERARCHY> {1:1}
+1 NOTE <GEDCOM_CONTENT_DESCRIPTION> {0:1}
+2 [CONT|CONC] <GEDCOM_CONTENT_DESCRIPTION> {0:M}
* NOTE:
Submissions to the Family History Department for Ancestral File submission or for clearing temple ordinances
must
use a DESTination of
ANSTFILE
or
TempleReady
.
The header structure provides information about the entire transmission. The SOURce system
name identifies which system sent the data. The DESTination system name identifies the
intended receiving system.
Additional GEDCOM standards will be produced in the future to reflect GEDCOM expansion
and maturity. This requires the reading program to make sure it can read the
GEDC.VERS
and
the
GEDC.FORM
values to insure proper readability. The
CHAR
tag is required. All character
codes greater than 0x7F
must be converted to ANSEL
. (See Chapter 3.)
RECORD:
=
[
n <<FAM_RECORD>> {1:1}
|
n <<INDIVIDUAL_RECORD>> {1:1}
|
n <<MULTIMEDIA_RECORD>> {1:M}
|
n <<NOTE_RECORD>> {1:1}
|
n <<REPOSITORY_RECORD>> {1:1}
|
n <<SOURCE_RECORD>> {1:1}
|
n <<SUBMITTER_RECORD>> {1:1}
]
FAM_RECORD:
=
n @<XREF:FAM>@ FAM {1:1}
+1 <<FAMILY_EVENT_STRUCTURE>> {0:M}
+2 HUSB {0:1}
+3 AGE <AGE_AT_EVENT> {1:1}
+2 WIFE {0:1}
+3 AGE <AGE_AT_EVENT> {1:1}
+1 HUSB @<XREF:INDI>@ {0:1}
+1 WIFE @<XREF:INDI>@ {0:1}
+1 CHIL @<XREF:INDI>@ {0:M}
+1 NCHI <COUNT_OF_CHILDREN> {0:1}
+1 SUBM @<XREF:SUBM>@ {0:M}
+1 <<LDS_SPOUSE_SEALING>> {0:M}
+1 <<SOURCE_CITATION>> {0:M}
+1 <<MULTIMEDIA_LINK>> {0:M}
+1 <<NOTE_STRUCTURE>> {0:M}
+1 REFN <USER_REFERENCE_NUMBER> {0:M}
+2 TYPE <USER_REFERENCE_TYPE> {0:1}
+1 RIN <AUTOMATED_RECORD_ID> {0:1}
+1 <<CHANGE_DATE>> {0:1}
The FAMily record is used to record marriages, common law marriages, and family unions
caused by two people becoming the parents of a child. There can be no more than one
HUSB/father and one WIFE/mother listed in each FAM_RECORD. If, for example, a man
participated in more than one family union, then he would appear in more than oneFAM_RECORD. The family record structure assumes that the HUSB/father is male and
WIFE/mother is female.
The preferred order of the CHILdren pointers within a FAMily structure is chronological by
birth.
INDIVIDUAL_RECORD:
=
n @XREF:INDI@ INDI {1:1}
+1 RESN <RESTRICTION_NOTICE> {0:1}
+1 <<PERSONAL_NAME_STRUCTURE>> {0:M}
+1 SEX <SEX_VALUE> {0:1}
+1 <<INDIVIDUAL_EVENT_STRUCTURE>> {0:M}
+1 <<INDIVIDUAL_ATTRIBUTE_STRUCTURE>> {0:M}
+1 <<LDS_INDIVIDUAL_ORDINANCE>> {0:M}
+1 <<CHILD_TO_FAMILY_LINK>> {0:M}
+1 <<SPOUSE_TO_FAMILY_LINK>> {0:M}
+1 SUBM @<XREF:SUBM>@ {0:M}
+1 <<ASSOCIATION_STRUCTURE>> {0:M}
+1 ALIA @<XREF:INDI>@ {0:M}
+1 ANCI @<XREF:SUBM>@ {0:M}
+1 DESI @<XREF:SUBM>@ {0:M}
+1 <<SOURCE_CITATION>> {0:M}
+1 <<MULTIMEDIA_LINK>> {0:M}
+1 <<NOTE_STRUCTURE>> {0:M}
+1 RFN <PERMANENT_RECORD_FILE_NUMBER> {0:1}
+1 AFN <ANCESTRAL_FILE_NUMBER> {0:1}
+1 REFN <USER_REFERENCE_NUMBER> {0:M}
+2 TYPE <USER_REFERENCE_TYPE> {0:1}
+1 RIN <AUTOMATED_RECORD_ID> {0:1}
+1 <<CHANGE_DATE>> {0:1}
The individual record is a compilation of facts, known or discovered, about an individual.
Sometimes these facts are from different sources. This form allows documentation of the source
where each of the facts were discovered.
The normal lineage links are shown through the use of pointers from the individual to a family
through either the FAMC tag or the FAMS tag. The FAMC tag provides a pointer to a family
where this person is a child. The FAMS tag provides a pointer to a family where this person is
a spouse or parent. The <<CHILD_TO_FAMILY_LINK>> structure
contains a FAMC pointer which
is required to show any child to parent linkage
for pedigree
navigation. The <<CHILD_TO_FAMILY_LINK>> structure also indicates whether the
pedigree link represents a birth lineage, an adoption lineage, or a sealing lineage.
Linkage
between a child and the family they belonged to at the time of an event can also
optionally be shown by a FAMC pointer subordinate to the appropriate event. For example, a
FAMC pointer subordinate to an adoption event would show which family adopted this
individual. Biological parent or parents can be indicated by a FAMC pointer subordinate to thebirth event. The FAMC tag can also optionally be used subordinate to an ADOPtion, or BIRTh
event to differentiate which set of parents were related by adoption, sealing, or birth.
Other associations or relationships are represented by the ASSOciation tag.
The person's
relation or association is the person being pointed to
. The association or relationship is stated
by the value on the subordinate RELA line. For example:
0 @I1@ INDI
1 NAME Fred/Jones/
1 ASSO @I2@
2 RELA Godfather
MULTIMEDIA_RECORD:
=
n @XREF:OBJE@ OBJE {1:1}
+1 FORM <MULTIMEDIA_FORMAT> {1:1}
+1 TITL <DESCRIPTIVE_TITLE> {0:1}
+1 <<NOTE_STRUCTURE>> {0:M}
+1 BLOB {1:1}
+2 CONT <ENCODED_MULTIMEDIA_LINE> {1:M}
+1 OBJE @<XREF:OBJE>@ /* chain to continued object */ {0:1}
+1 REFN <USER_REFERENCE_NUMBER> {0:M}
+2 TYPE <USER_REFERENCE_TYPE> {0:1}
+1 RIN <AUTOMATED_RECORD_ID> {0:1}
+1 <<CHANGE_DATE>> {0:1}
Large whole multimedia objects embedded in a GEDCOM file would break some systems. For
this purpose, large multimedia files should be divided into smaller multimedia records by using
the subordinate OBJE tag to chain to the next <MULTIMEDIA_RECORD> fragment. This
will allow GEDCOM records to be maintained below the 32K limit for use in systems with
limited resources.
NOTE_RECORD:
=
n @<XREF:NOTE>@ NOTE <SUBMITTER_TEXT> {1:1}
+1 [ CONC | CONT] <SUBMITTER_TEXT> {0:M}
+1 <<SOURCE_CITATION>> {0:M}
+1 REFN <USER_REFERENCE_NUMBER> {0:M}
+2 TYPE <USER_REFERENCE_TYPE> {0:1}
+1 RIN <AUTOMATED_RECORD_ID> {0:1}
+1 <<CHANGE_DATE>> {0:1}
REPOSITORY_RECORD:
=
n @<XREF:REPO>@ REPO {1:1}
+1 NAME <NAME_OF_REPOSITORY> {0:1}
+1 <<ADDRESS_STRUCTURE>> {0:1}
+1 <<NOTE_STRUCTURE>> {0:M}
+1 REFN <USER_REFERENCE_NUMBER> {0:M}
+2 TYPE <USER_REFERENCE_TYPE> {0:1}
+1 RIN <AUTOMATED_RECORD_ID> {0:1}
+1 <<CHANGE_DATE>> {0:1}
SOURCE_RECORD:
=
n @<XREF:SOUR>@ SOUR {1:1}
+1 DATA {0:1}
+2 EVEN <EVENTS_RECORDED> {0:M}
+3 DATE <DATE_PERIOD> {0:1}
+3 PLAC <SOURCE_JURISDICTION_PLACE> {0:1}
+2 AGNC <RESPONSIBLE_AGENCY> {0:1}
+2 <<NOTE_STRUCTURE>> {0:M}
+1 AUTH <SOURCE_ORIGINATOR> {0:1}
+2 [CONT|CONC] <SOURCE_ORIGINATOR> {0:M}
+1 TITL <SOURCE_DESCRIPTIVE_TITLE> {0:1}
+2 [CONT|CONC] <SOURCE_DESCRIPTIVE_TITLE> {0:M}
+1 ABBR <SOURCE_FILED_BY_ENTRY> {0:1}
+1 PUBL <SOURCE_PUBLICATION_FACTS> {0:1}
+2 [CONT|CONC] <SOURCE_PUBLICATION_FACTS> {0:M}
+1 TEXT <TEXT_FROM_SOURCE> {0:1}
+2 [CONT|CONC] <TEXT_FROM_SOURCE> {0:M}
+1 <<SOURCE_REPOSITORY_CITATION>> {0:1}
+1 <<MULTIMEDIA_LINK>> {0:M}
+1 <<NOTE_STRUCTURE>> {0:M}
+1 REFN <USER_REFERENCE_NUMBER> {0:M}
+2 TYPE <USER_REFERENCE_TYPE> {0:1}
+1 RIN <AUTOMATED_RECORD_ID> {0:1}
+1 <<CHANGE_DATE>> {0:1}
Source records are used to provide a bibliographic description of the source cited. (See the
<<SOURCE_CITATION>> structure, which contains the pointer to this source
record.)
SUBMISSION_RECORD:
=
n @XREF:SUBN@ SUBN {1:1]
+1 SUBM @XREF:SUBM@ {0:1}
+1 FAMF <NAME_OF_FAMILY_FILE> {0:1}
+1 TEMP <TEMPLE_CODE> {0:1}
+1 ANCE <GENERATIONS_OF_ANCESTORS> {0:1}
+1 DESC <GENERATIONS_OF_DESCENDANTS> {0:1}
+1 ORDI <ORDINANCE_PROCESS_FLAG> {0:1}
+1 RIN <AUTOMATED_RECORD_ID> {0:1}
The sending system uses a submission record to send instructions and information to the
receiving system. TempleReady processes submission records to determine which temple the
cleared records should be directed to. The submission record is also used for communication
between Ancestral File download requests and TempleReady.
Each GEDCOM transmissionfile should have only one submission record.
Multiple submissions are handled by creating
separate GEDCOM transmission files.
SUBMITTER_RECORD:
=
n @<XREF:SUBM>@ SUBM {1:1}
+1 NAME <SUBMITTER_NAME> {1:1}
+1 <<ADDRESS_STRUCTURE>> {0:1}
+1 <<MULTIMEDIA_LINK>> {0:M}
+1 LANG <LANGUAGE_PREFERENCE> {0:3}
+1 RFN <SUBMITTER_REGISTERED_RFN> {0:1}
+1 RIN <AUTOMATED_RECORD_ID> {0:1}
+1 <<CHANGE_DATE>> {0:1}
The submitter record identifies an individual or organization that contributed information
contained in the GEDCOM transmission. All records in the transmission are assumed to be
submitted by the SUBMITTER referenced in the HEADer, unless a SUBMitter reference inside
a specific record points at a different SUBMITTER record.
Substructures of the Lineage-Linked Form
ADDRESS_STRUCTURE:
=
n ADDR <ADDRESS_LINE> {0:1}
+1 CONT <ADDRESS_LINE> {0:M}
+1 ADR1 <ADDRESS_LINE1> {0:1}
+1 ADR2 <ADDRESS_LINE2> {0:1}
+1 CITY <ADDRESS_CITY> {0:1}
+1 STAE <ADDRESS_STATE> {0:1}
+1 POST <ADDRESS_POSTAL_CODE> {0:1}
+1 CTRY <ADDRESS_COUNTRY> {0:1}
n PHON <PHONE_NUMBER> {0:3}
The address structure should be formed as it would appear on a mailing label using the ADDR
and ADDR.CONT lines. These lines are required if an ADDRess is present. Optionally,
additional structure is provided for systems that have structured their addresses for indexing and
sorting.
ASSOCIATION_STRUCTURE:
=
n ASSO @<XREF:INDI>@ {0:M}
+1 TYPE <RECORD_TYPE> {1:1}
+1 RELA <RELATION_IS_DESCRIPTOR> {1:1}
+1 <<NOTE_STRUCTURE>> {0:M}
+1 <<SOURCE_CITATION>> {0:M}
CHANGE_DATE:
=
n CHAN {1:1}
+1 DATE <CHANGE_DATE> {1:1}
+2 TIME <TIME_VALUE> {0:1}
+1 <<NOTE_STRUCTURE>> {0:M}
The change date is intended to only record the last change to a record. Some systems may want
to manage the change process with more detail, but it is sufficient for GEDCOM purposes to
indicate the last time that a record was modified.
CHILD_TO_FAMILY_LINK:
=
n FAMC @<XREF:FAM>@ {1:1}
+1 PEDI <PEDIGREE_LINKAGE_TYPE> {0:M}
+1 <<NOTE_STRUCTURE>> {0:M}
EVENT_DETAIL:
=
n TYPE <EVENT_DESCRIPTOR> {0:1}
n DATE <DATE_VALUE> {0:1}
n <<PLACE_STRUCTURE>> {0:1}
n <<ADDRESS_STRUCTURE>> {0:1}
n AGE <AGE_AT_EVENT> {0:1}
n AGNC <RESPONSIBLE_AGENCY> {0:1}
n CAUS <CAUSE_OF_EVENT> {0:1}
n <<SOURCE_CITATION>> {0:M}
n <<MULTIMEDIA_LINK>> {0:M}
n <<NOTE_STRUCTURE>> {0:M}
FAMILY_EVENT_STRUCTURE:
=
[
n [ ANUL | CENS | DIV | DIVF ] [Y|<NULL>] {1:1}
+1 <<EVENT_DETAIL>> {0:1}
|
n [ ENGA | MARR | MARB | MARC ] [Y|<NULL>] {1:1}
+1 <<EVENT_DETAIL>> {0:1}
|
n [ MARL | MARS ] [Y|<NULL>] {1:1}
+1 <<EVENT_DETAIL>> {0:1}
|
n EVEN {1:1}
+1 <<EVENT_DETAIL>> {0:1}
]
INDIVIDUAL_ATTRIBUTE_STRUCTURE:
=
[
n CAST <CASTE_NAME> {1:1}
+1 <<EVENT_DETAIL>> {0:1}
|
n DSCR <PHYSICAL_DESCRIPTION> {1:1}
+1 <<EVENT_DETAIL>> {0:1}
|
n EDUC <SCHOLASTIC_ACHIEVEMENT> {1:1}
+1 <<EVENT_DETAIL>> {0:1}
|
n IDNO <NATIONAL_ID_NUMBER> {1:1}*
+1 <<EVENT_DETAIL>> {0:1}
|
n NATI <NATIONAL_OR_TRIBAL_ORIGIN> {1:1}
+1 <<EVENT_DETAIL>> {0:1}
|
n NCHI <COUNT_OF_CHILDREN> {1:1}
+1 <<EVENT_DETAIL>> {0:1}
|
n NMR <COUNT_OF_MARRIAGES> {1:1}
+1 <<EVENT_DETAIL>> {0:1}
|
n OCCU <OCCUPATION> {1:1}
+1 <<EVENT_DETAIL>> {0:1}
|
n PROP <POSSESSIONS> {1:1}
+1 <<EVENT_DETAIL>> {0:1}
|
n RELI <RELIGIOUS_AFFILIATION> {1:1}
+1 <<EVENT_DETAIL>> {0:1}
|
n RESI {1:1}
+1 <<EVENT_DETAIL>> {0:1}
|
n SSN <SOCIAL_SECURITY_NUMBER> {0:1}
+1 <<EVENT_DETAIL>> {0:1}
|
n TITL <NOBILITY_TYPE_TITLE> {1:1}
+1 <<EVENT_DETAIL>> {0:1}
]
* Note: The usage of IDNO requires that the subordinate TYPE tag be used to define what kind
of number is assigned to IDNO.
INDIVIDUAL_EVENT_STRUCTURE:
=
[
n[ BIRT | CHR ] [Y|<NULL>] {1:1}
+1 <<EVENT_DETAIL>> {0:1}
+1 FAMC @<XREF:FAM>@ {0:1}
|
n [ DEAT | BURI | CREM ] [Y|<NULL>] {1:1}
+1 <<EVENT_DETAIL>> {0:1}
|
n ADOP [Y|<NULL>] {1:1}
+1 <<EVENT_DETAIL>> {0:1}
+1 FAMC @<XREF:FAM>@ {0:1}
+2 ADOP <ADOPTED_BY_WHICH_PARENT> {0:1}
|
n [ BAPM | BARM | BASM | BLES ] [Y|<NULL>] {1:1}
+1 <<EVENT_DETAIL>> {0:1}
|
n [ CHRA | CONF | FCOM | ORDN ] [Y|<NULL>] {1:1}
+1 <<EVENT_DETAIL>> {0:1}
|
n [ NATU | EMIG | IMMI ] [Y|<NULL>] {1:1}
+1 <<EVENT_DETAIL>> {0:1}
|
n [ CENS | PROB | WILL] [Y|<NULL>] {1:1}
+1 <<EVENT_DETAIL>> {0:1}
|
n [ GRAD | RETI ] [Y|<NULL>] {1:1}
+1 <<EVENT_DETAIL>> {0:1}
|
n EVEN {1:1}
+1 <<EVENT_DETAIL>> {0:1}
]
The EVEN tag in this structure is for recording general events or attributes that are not shown
in the above <<INDIVIDUAL_EVENT_STRUCTURE>>. The general event or attribute
type is declared by using a subordinate TYPE tag to show what event or attribute is recorded.
For example, a candidate for state senate in the 1952 election could be recorded:
1 EVEN
2 TYPE Election
2 DATE 07 NOV 1952
2 NOTE Candidate for State Senate.
The TYPE tag is also optionally used to modify the basic understanding of its superior event
and is usually provided by the user. For example:
1 ORDN
2 TYPE Deacon
The presence of a DATE tag and/or PLACe tag makes the assertion of when and/or where the
event took place, and therefore that the event did happen. The absence of both of these tags
require a Y(es) value on the parent TAG line to assert that the event happened. Using this
convention protects GEDCOM processors which may remove (prune) lines that have no value
and no subordinate lines. It also allows a note or source to be attached to the event context
without implying that the event occurred.
It is not proper to use a N(o) value with an event tag to infer that it did not happen. Inferring
that an event did not occur would require a different tag. A symbol such as using an
exclamation mark (!) preceding an event tag to indicate an event is known not to have happened
may be defined in the future.
LDS_INDIVIDUAL_ORDINANCE:
=
[
n [ BAPL | CONL ] {1:1}
+1 STAT <LDS_BAPTISM_DATE_STATUS> {0:1}
+1 DATE <DATE_LDS_ORD> {0:1}
+1 TEMP <TEMPLE_CODE> {0:1}
+1 PLAC <PLACE_LIVING_ORDINANCE> {0:1}
+1 <<SOURCE_CITATION>> {0:M}
+1 <<NOTE_STRUCTURE>> {0:M}
|
n ENDL {1:1}
+1 STAT <LDS_ENDOWMENT_DATE_STATUS> {0:1}
+1 DATE <DATE_LDS_ORD> {0:1}
+1 TEMP <TEMPLE_CODE> {0:1}
+1 PLAC <PLACE_LIVING_ORDINANCE> {0:1}
+1 <<SOURCE_CITATION>> {0:M}
+1 <<NOTE_STRUCTURE>> {0:M}
|
n SLGC {1:1}
+1 STAT <LDS_CHILD_SEALING_DATE_STATUS> {0:1}
+1 DATE <DATE_LDS_ORD> {0:1}
+1 TEMP <TEMPLE_CODE> {0:1}
+1 PLAC <PLACE_LIVING_ORDINANCE> {0:1}
+1 FAMC @<XREF:FAM>@ {1:1}
+1 <<SOURCE_CITATION>> {0:M}
+1 <<NOTE_STRUCTURE>> {0:M}
]
LDS_SPOUSE_SEALING:
=
n SLGS {1:1}
+1 STAT <LDS_SPOUSE_SEALING_DATE_STATUS> {0:1}
+1 DATE <DATE_LDS_ORD> {0:1}
+1 TEMP <TEMPLE_CODE> {0:1}
+1 PLAC <PLACE_LIVING_ORDINANCE> {0:1}
+1 <<SOURCE_CITATION>> {0:M}
+1 <<NOTE_STRUCTURE>> {0:M}
MULTIMEDIA_LINK:
=
[ /* embedded form*/
n OBJE @<XREF:OBJE>@ {1:1}
| /* linked form*/
n OBJE {1:1}
+1 FORM <MULTIMEDIA_FORMAT> {1:1}
+1 TITL <DESCRIPTIVE_TITLE> {0:1}
+1 FILE <MULTIMEDIA_FILE_REFERENCE> {1:1}
+1 <<NOTE_STRUCTURE>> {0:M}
]
This structure provides two options in handling the GEDCOM multimedia interface. The first
alternative (embedded) includes all of the data, including the multimedia object, within the
transmission file. The embedded method includes pointers to GEDCOM records that contain
encoded image or sound objects. Each record represents a multimedia object or object
fragment. An object fragment is created by breaking the multimedia files into several
multimedia object records of 32K or less. These fragments are tied together by chaining from
one multimedia object fragment to the next in sequence. This procedure will help manage the
size of a multimedia GEDCOM record so that existing systems which are not expecting large
multimedia records may discard the records without crashing due to the size of the record.
Systems which handle embedded multimedia can reconstitute the multimedia fragments by
decoding the object fragments and concatenating them to the assigned multimedia file.
The second method allows the GEDCOM context to be connected to an external multimedia file.
This process is only managed by GEDCOM in the sense that the appropriate file name is
included in the GEDCOM file in context, but the maintenance and transfer of the multimedia
files are external to GEDCOM.
NOTE_STRUCTURE:
=
[
n NOTE @<XREF:NOTE>@ {1:1}
+1 <<SOURCE_CITATION>> {0:M}
|
n NOTE [SUBMITTER_TEXT> | <NULL>] {1:1}
+1 [ CONC | CONT ] <SUBMITTER_TEXT> {0:M}
+1 <<SOURCE_CITATION>> {0:M}
]
PERSONAL_NAME_STRUCTURE:
=
n NAME <NAME_PERSONAL> {1:1}
+1 NPFX <NAME_PIECE_PREFIX> {0:1}
+1 GIVN <NAME_PIECE_GIVEN> {0:1}
+1 NICK <NAME_PIECE_NICKNAME> {0:1}
+1 SPFX <NAME_PIECE_SURNAME_PREFIX> {0:1}
+1 SURN <NAME_PIECE_SURNAME> {0:1}
+1 NSFX <NAME_PIECE_SUFFIX> {0:1}
+1 <<SOURCE_CITATION>> {0:M}
+1 <<NOTE_STRUCTURE>> {0:M}
The name value is formed in the manner the name is normally spoken, with the given name and
family name (surname) separated by slashes (/). (See <NAME_PERSONAL>.)
Based on the dynamic nature or unknown compositions of naming conventions, it is difficult to
provide more detailed name piece structure to handle every case. The NPFX, GIVN, NICK,
SPFX, SURN, and NSFX tags are provided optionally for systems that cannot operate
effectively with less structured information. For current future compatibility, all systems must
construct their names based on the <NAME_PERSONAL> structure. Those using the optional
name pieces should assume that few systems will process them, and most will not provide the
name pieces. Future GEDCOM releases (6.0 and later) will likely apply a very different strategy
to resolve this problem, possibly using a sophisticated parser and a name-knowledge database.
PLACE_STRUCTURE:
=
n PLAC <PLACE_VALUE> {1:1}
+1 FORM <PLACE_HIERARCHY> {0:1}
+1 <<SOURCE_CITATION>> {0:M}
+1 <<NOTE_STRUCTURE>> {0:M}
SOURCE_CITATION:
=
[
n SOUR @<XREF:SOUR>@ /* pointer to source record */ {1:1}
+1 PAGE <WHERE_WITHIN_SOURCE> {0:1}
+1 EVEN <EVENT_TYPE_CITED_FROM> {0:1}
+2 ROLE <ROLE_IN_EVENT> {0:1}
+1 DATA {0:1}
+2 DATE <ENTRY_RECORDING_DATE> {0:1}
+2 TEXT <TEXT_FROM_SOURCE> {0:M}
+3 [ CONC | CONT ] <TEXT_FROM_SOURCE> {0:M}
+1 QUAY <CERTAINTY_ASSESSMENT> {0:1}
+1 <<MULTIMEDIA_LINK>> {0:M}
+1 <<NOTE_STRUCTURE>> {0:M}
| /* Systems not using source records */
n SOUR <SOURCE_DESCRIPTION> {1:1}
+1 [ CONC | CONT ] <SOURCE_DESCRIPTION> {0:M}
+1 TEXT <TEXT_FROM_SOURCE> {0:M}
+2 [CONC | CONT ] <TEXT_FROM_SOURCE> {0:M}
+1 <<NOTE_STRUCTURE>> {0:M}
]
The data provided in the <<SOURCE_CITATION>> structure is source-related information
specific to the data being cited. (See GEDCOM examples.) Systems that do
not use SOURCE_RECORDS must use the second SOURce citation structure option. When
systems which support SOURCE_RECORD structures encounter source citations which do not
contain pointers to source records, that system will need to create a SOURCE_RECORD and
store the <SOURCE_DESCRIPTION> information found in the non-structured source citation
in either the title area of that SOURCE_RECORD, or if the title field is not large enough, place
a "(See Notes)" text in the title area, and place the unstructured source description in the source
record's note field.
The information intended to be placed in the citation structure includes:
- A pointer to the SOURCE_RECORD, which contains a more general description of the
source.
- Information, such as a page number, on how to find the cited data within the source.
- Actual text from the source that was used in making assertions, for example a date phrase as
actually recorded or an applicable sentence from a letter, would be appropriate.
- Data that allows an assessment of the relative value of one source over another for making
the recorded assertions (primary or secondary source, etc.). Data needed for this assessment
is how much time from the asserted fact and when the source event was recorded, what type
of event was cited, and what was the role of this person in the cited event.
-Date when the entry was recorded in source document, ".SOUR.DATA.DATE."
-Event that initiated the recording, ".SOUR.EVEN."
-Role of this person in the event, ".SOUR.EVEN.ROLE".
SOURCE_REPOSITORY_CITATION:
=
[
n REPO @XREF:REPO@ {1:1}
+1 <<NOTE_STRUCTURE>> {0:M}
+1 CALN <SOURCE_CALL_NUMBER> {0:M}
+2 MEDI <SOURCE_MEDIA_TYPE> {0:1}
This structure is used within a source record to point to a name and address record of the holder of
the source document. Formal and informal repository name and addresses are stored in the
REPOSITORY_RECORD. Informal repositories include owner's of an unpublished work or of a
rare published source, or a keeper of personal collections. An example would be the owner of a
family Bible containing unpublished family genealogical entries. More formal repositories, such as
the Family History Library, should show a call number of the source at that repository. The call
number of that source should be recorded using a subordinate CALN tag. Systems which do not
structure a repository name and address interface should store the information about where the
source record is stored in the <<NOTE_STRUCTURE>> of this structure.
SPOUSE_TO_FAMILY_LINK:
=
n FAMS @<XREF:FAM>@ {1:1}
+1 <<NOTE_STRUCTURE>> {0:M}
Primitive Elements of the Lineage-Linked Form
The field sizes show the minimum recommended field length within a database that is constrained to
fixed length fields. The field sizes are in addition to the GEDCOM level and tag overhead.
GEDCOM lines are limited to 255 characters. However, the CONCatenation or CONTinuation tags
can be used to expand a field beyond this limit. CONT line implies that a new line should appear to
preserve formatting. CONC implies concatenation to the previous line without a new line. This is
used so that a text note or description can be processed (word wrapped) in a text window without
fixed carriage returns. The CONT and CONC tags are being used to extend specified textual
values.
ADDRESS_CITY:
= {Size=1:60}
The name of the city used in the address. Isolated for sorting or indexing.
ADDRESS_COUNTRY:
= {Size=1:60}
The name of the country that pertains to the associated address. Isolated by some systems for
sorting or indexing. Used in most cases to facilitate automatic sorting of mail.
ADDRESS_LINE:
= {Size=1:60}
Address information that, when combined with NAME and CONTinuation lines, meets
requirements for sending communications through the mail.
ADDRESS_LINE1:
= {Size=1:60}
The first line of the address used for indexing. This corresponds to the ADDRESS_LINE value
of the ADDR line in the address structure.
ADDRESS_LINE2:
= {Size=1:60}
The second line of the address used for indexing. This corresponds to the ADDRESS_LINE
value of the first CONT line subordinate to the ADDR tag in the address structure.
ADDRESS_POSTAL_CODE:
= {Size=1:10}
The ZIP or postal code used by the various localities in handling of mail. Isolated for sorting or
indexing.
ADDRESS_STATE:
= {Size=1:60}
The name of the state used in the address. Isolated for sorting or indexing.
ADOPTED_BY_WHICH_PARENT:
= {Size=1:4}
[ HUSB | WIFE | BOTH ]
A code which shows which parent in the associated family record adopted this person.
Where:
HUSB =The HUSBand in the associated family adopted this person.
WIFE =The WIFE in the associated family adopted this person.
BOTH =Both HUSBand and WIFE adopted this person.
AGE_AT_EVENT:
= {Size=1:12}
[ < | > | <NULL>]
[ YYy MMm DDDd | YYy | MMm | DDDd |
YYy MMm | YYy DDDd | MMm DDDd |
CHILD | INFANT | STILLBORN ]
]
Where
:
> = greater than indicated age
< = less than indicated age
y = a label indicating years
m = a label indicating months
d = a label indicating days
YY = number of full years
MM = number of months
DDD = number of days
CHILD = age < 8 years
INFANT = age < 1 year
STILLBORN = died just prior, at, or near birth, 0 years
A number that indicates the age in years, months, and days that the principal was at the time of
the associated event. Any labels must come after their corresponding number, for example; 4y
8m 10d.
ANCESTRAL_FILE_NUMBER:
= {Size=1:12}
A unique permanent record number of an individual record contained in the Family History
Department's Ancestral File.
APPROVED_SYSTEM_ID:
= {Size=1:20}
A system identification name which was obtained through the GEDCOM registration process.
This name must be unique from any other product. Spaces within the name must be substituted
with a 0x5F (underscore _) so as to create one word.
ATTRIBUTE_TYPE:
= {Size=1:4}
[ CAST | EDUC | NATI | OCCU | PROP | RELI | RESI | TITL ]
An attribute which may have caused name, addresses, phone numbers, family listings to be
recorded. Its application is in helping to classify sources used for information.
AUTOMATED_RECORD_ID:
= {Size=1:12}
A unique record identification number assigned to the record by the source system. This number
is intended to serve as a more sure means of identification of a record between two interfacing
systems.
CASTE_NAME:
= {Size=1:90}
A name assigned to a particular group that this person was associated with, such as a particular
racial group, religious group, or a group with an inherited status.
CAUSE_OF_EVENT:
= {Size=1:90}
Used in special cases to record the reasons which precipitated an event. Normally this will be
used subordinate to a death event to show cause of death, such as might be listed on a death
certificate.
CERTAINTY_ASSESSMENT:
= {Size=1:1}
[ 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 ]
The QUAY tag's value conveys the submitter's quantitative evaluation of the credibility of a
piece of information, based upon its supporting evidence. Some systems use this feature to rank
multiple conflicting opinions for display of most likely information first. It is not
intended to
eliminate the receiver's need to evaluate the evidence for themselves.
0 =Unreliable evidence or estimated data
1 =Questionable reliability of evidence (interviews, census, oral genealogies, or potential for
bias for example, an autobiography)
2 =Secondary evidence, data officially recorded sometime after event
3 =Direct and primary evidence used, or by dominance of the evidence
CHANGE_DATE:
= {Size=10:11}
<DATE_EXACT>
The date that this data was changed.
CHARACTER_SET:
= {Size=1:8}
[ ANSEL | UNICODE | ASCII ]
A code value that represents the character set to be used to interpret this data. The default
character set is ANSEL, which includes ASCII as a subset. UNICODE is not widely supported
by most operating systems; therefore, GEDCOM produced using the UNICODE character set
will be limited in acceptance for some time. See Chapter 3. ASCII contains
the character set from 0x0 to 0xFF.
Note:The IBMPC character set is not allowed. This character set cannot be interpreted properly
without knowing which code page the sender was using.
COPYRIGHT_GEDCOM_FILE:
= {Size=1:90}
A copyright statement needed to protect the copyrights of the submitter of this GEDCOM file.
COPYRIGHT_SOURCE_DATA:
= {Size=1:90}
A copyright statement required by the owner of data from which this information was down-
loaded. For example, when a GEDCOM down-load is requested from the Ancestral File, this
would be the copyright statement to indicate that the data came from a copyrighted source.
COUNT_OF_CHILDREN:
= {Size=1:3}
The known number of children of this individual from all marriages or, if subordinate to a family
record, the reported number of children known to belong to this family, regardless of whether
the associated children are represented in the corresponding structure. This is not necessarily the
count of children listed in a family structure.
COUNT_OF_MARRIAGES:
= {Size=1:3}
The number of different families that this person was known to have been a member of as a
spouse or parent, regardless of whether the associated families are represented in the GEDCOM
file.
DATE:
= {Size=4:35}
[ <DATE_CALENDAR_ESCAPE> | <NULL>]
<DATE_CALENDAR>
DATE_APPROXIMATED:
= {Size=4:35}
[
ABT <DATE> |
CAL <DATE> |
EST <DATE>
]
Where
:
ABT =About, meaning the date is not exact.
CAL =Calculated mathematically, for example, from an event date and age.
EST =Estimated based on an algorithm using some other event date.
DATE_CALENDAR:
= {Size=4:35}
[ <DATE_GREG>
| <DATE_JULN>
| <DATE_HEBR>
| <DATE_FREN>
|
<DATE_FUTURE> ]
The selection is based on the <DATE_CALENDAR_ESCAPE> that precedes the
<DATE_CALENDAR> value immediately to the left. If <DATE_CALENDAR_ESCAPE>
doesn't appear at this point, then @#DGREGORIAN@ is assumed. No future calendar types
will use words (e.g., month names) from this list: FROM, TO, BEF, AFT, BET, AND, ABT,
EST, CAL, or INT. When only a day and month appears as a DATE value it is considered a
date phrase and not a valid date form.
Date Escape Syntax Selected
----------- -------------
@#DGREGORIAN@ <DATE_GREG>
@#DJULIAN@ <DATE_JULN>
@#DHEBREW@ <DATE_HEBR>
@#DFRENCH R@ <DATE_FREN>
@#DROMAN@ for future definition
@#DUNKNOWN@ calendar not known
DATE_CALENDAR_ESCAPE:
= {Size=4:15}
[ @#DHEBREW@ | @#DROMAN@ | @#DFRENCH R@ | @#DGREGORIAN@ |
@#DJULIAN@ | @#DUNKNOWN@ ]
The date escape determines the date interpretation by signifying which <DATE_CALENDAR>
to use. The default calendar is the Gregorian calendar.
DATE_EXACT:
= {Size=10:11}
<DAY> <MONTH> <YEAR_GREG>
DATE_FREN:
= {Size=4:35}
[ <YEAR>
| <MONTH_FREN> <YEAR>
| <DAY> <MONTH_FREN> <YEAR> ]
See <MONTH_FREN>
DATE_GREG:
= {Size=4:35}
[ <YEAR_GREG>
| <MONTH> <YEAR_GREG>
| <DAY> <MONTH> <YEAR_GREG> ]
See <YEAR_GREG>.
DATE_HEBR:
= {Size=4:35}
[ <YEAR>
| <MONTH_HEBR> <YEAR>
| <DAY> <MONTH_HEBR> <YEAR> ]
See <MONTH_HEBR>.
DATE_JULN:
= {Size=4:35}
[ <YEAR>
| <MONTH> <YEAR>
| <DAY> <MONTH> <YEAR> ]
DATE_LDS_ORD:
= {Size=4:35}
<DATE_VALUE>
LDS ordinance dates use only the Gregorian date and most often use the form of day, month,
and year. Only in rare instances is there a partial date. The temple tag and code should always
accompany temple ordinance dates. Sometimes the LDS_(ordinance)_DATE_STATUS is used to
indicate that an ordinance date and temple code is not required, such as when BIC is used. (See
LDS_(ordinance)_DATE_STATUS definitions.)
DATE_PERIOD:
= {Size=7:35}
[
FROM <DATE> |
TO <DATE> |
FROM <DATE> TO <DATE>
]
Where:DATE>
FROM =Indicates the beginning of a happening or state.
TO =Indicates the ending of a happening or state.
Examples:
FROM
1904 to 1915
=The state of some attribute existed from 1904 to 1915 inclusive.
FROM
1904
=The state of the attribute began in 1904 but the end date is unknown.
TO
1915
=The state ended in 1915 but the begin date is unknown.
DATE_PHRASE:
= {Size=1:35}
(<TEXT>)
Any statement offered as a date when the year is not recognizable to a date parser, but which
gives information about when an event occurred. The date phrase is enclosed in matching
parentheses.
DATE_RANGE:
= {Size=8:35}
[
BEF <DATE> |
AFT <DATE> |
BET <DATE> AND <DATE>
]
Where
:
AFT =Event happened after the given date.
BEF =Event happened before the given date.
BET =Event happened some time between date 1 AND date 2. For example, bet 1904 and
1915 indicates that the event state (perhaps a single day) existed somewhere between
1904 and 1915 inclusive.
The date range differs from the date period in that the date range is an estimate that an event
happened on a single date somewhere in the date range specified.
The following are equivalent and interchangeable:
Short form Long Form
---------- ---------
1852 BET 1 JAN 1852 AND 31 DEC 1852
1852 BET 1 JAN 1852 AND DEC 1852
1852 BET JAN 1852 AND 31 DEC 1852
1852 BET JAN 1852 AND DEC 1852
JAN 1920 BET 1 JAN 1920 AND 31 JAN 1920
DATE_VALUE:
= {Size=1:35}
[
<DATE> |
<DATE_PERIOD> |
<DATE_RANGE>
<DATE_APPROXIMATED> |
INT <DATE> (<DATE_PHRASE>) |
(<DATE_PHRASE>)
]
The DATE_VALUE represents the date of an activity, attribute, or event where:
INT =Interpreted from knowledge about the associated date phrase included in parentheses.
An acceptable alternative to the date phrase choice is to use one of the other choices such as
<DATE_APPROXIMATED> choice as the DATE line value and then include the
<DATE_PHRASE> as a NOTE value subordinate to the DATE line.
The date value can take on the date form of just a date, an approximated date, between a date
and another date, and from one date to another date. The preferred form of showing date
imprecision, is to show, for example, MAY 1890 rather than ABT 12 MAY 1890. This is
because limits have not been assigned to the precision of the prefixes such as ABT or EST.
DAY:
= {Size=1:2}
dd
Day of the month, where dd is a numeric digit whose value is within the valid range of the days
for the associated calendar month.
DESCRIPTIVE_TITLE:
= {Size=1:248}
The title of a work, record, item, or object.
DIGIT:
= {Size=1:1}
A single digit (0-9).
ENCODED_MULTIMEDIA_LINE:
= {Size=1:87}
A line from a multimedia object which has been ENCODED. Each 54 characters of the
multimedia object is encoded and stored in a 72 byte value. The encoding algorithm is used to
convert binary objects into legal ASCII values which can be transmitted. See the encoding and
decoding algorithms that are defined in Appendix E.
ENTRY_RECORDING_DATE:
= {Size=1:90}
<DATE_VALUE>
The date that this event data was entered into the original source document.
EVENT_ATTRIBUTE_TYPE:
= {Size=1:15}
[ <EVENT_TYPE_INDIVIDUAL> |
<EVENT_TYPE_FAMILY> |
<ATTRIBUTE_TYPE> ]
A code that classifies the principal event or happening that caused the source record entry to be
created. If the event or attribute doesn't translate to one of these tag codes, then a user supplied
code is expected, but will be considered as the generic tag EVEN for source certainty evaluation.
EVENT_DESCRIPTOR:
= {Size=1:90}
A descriptor that should be used whenever the
EVEN
tag is used to define the event being cited.
For example, if the event was a purchase of a residence, the
EVEN
tag would be followed by a
subordinate TYPE tag with the value "Purchased Residence." Using this descriptor with any of
the other defined event tags basically classifies the basic definition of the associated tag but does
not change its basic process. The form of using the TYPE tag with defined event tags has not
been used by very many products. The
MARR
tag could be subordinated with a
TYPE
tag and
EVENT_DESCRIPTOR value of Common Law. Other possible descriptor values might include
"Childbirth%unmarried," "Common Law," or "Tribal Custom," for example. The event
descriptor should use the same word or phrase and in the same language, when possible, as was
used by the recorder of the event. Systems that display data from the GEDCOM form should be
able to display the descriptor value in their screen or printed output.
EVENT_TYPE_CITED_FROM:
= {SIZE=1:15}
[ <EVENT_ATTRIBUTE_TYPE> ]
A code that indicates the type of event which was responsible for the source entry being
recorded. For example, if the entry was created to record a birth of a child, then the type would
be BIRT regardless of the assertions made from that record, such as the mother's name or
mother's birth date. This will allow a prioritized best view choice and a determination of the
certainty associated with the source used in asserting the cited fact.
EVENT_TYPE_FAMILY:
= {Size=3:4}
[ ANUL | CENS | DIV | DIVF | ENGA | MARR |
MARB | MARC | MARL | MARS | EVEN ]
A code used to indicate the type of family event. The definition is the same as the corresponding
event tag defined in Appendix A.
EVENT_TYPE_INDIVIDUAL:
= {Size=3:4}
[ ADOP | BIRT | BAPM | BARM | BASM |
BLES | BURI | CENS | CHR | CHRA |
CONF | CREM | DEAT | EMIG | FCOM |
GRAD | IMMI | NATU | ORDN |
RETI | PROB | WILL | EVEN ]
A code used to indicate the type of family event. The definition is the same as the corresponding
event tag defined in Appendix A.
EVENTS_RECORDED:
= {Size=1:90}
[<EVENT_ATTRIBUTE_TYPE> |
<EVENTS_RECORDED>, <EVENT_ATTRIBUTE_TYPE>]
An enumeration of the different kinds of events that were recorded in a particular source. Each
enumeration is separated by a comma. Such as a parish register of births, deaths, and marriages
would be BIRT, DEAT, MARR.
FILE_NAME:
= {Size=1:90}
The name of the GEDCOM transmission file. If the file name includes a file extension it must be
shown in the form (filename.ext).
GEDCOM_CONTENT_DESCRIPTION:
= {Size=1:248}
A note that a user enters to describe the contents of the lineage-linked file in terms of "ancestors
or descendants of" so that the person receiving the data knows what genealogical information the
transmission contains.
GEDCOM_FORM:
= {Size=14:20}
[ LINEAGE-LINKED ]
The GEDCOM form used to construct this transmission. There maybe other forms used such as
CommSoft's "EVENT_LINEAGE_LINKED" but these specifications define only the LINEAGE-LINKED Form. Systems will use this value to specify GEDCOM compatible with these
specifications.
GENERATIONS_OF_ANCESTORS:
= {Size=1:4}
The number of generations of ancestors included in this transmission. This value is usually
provided when FamilySearch programs build a GEDCOM file for a patron requesting a download
of ancestors.
GENERATIONS_OF_DESCENDANTS:
= {Size=1:4}
The number of generations of descendants included in this transmission. This value is usually
provided when FamilySearch programs build a GEDCOM file for a patron requesting a download
of descendants.
LANGUAGE_ID:
= {Size=1:15}
A table of valid latin language identification codes.
[Afrikaans | Albanian | Anglo-Saxon | Catalan | Catalan_Spn | Czech | Danish | Dutch |
English | Esperanto | Estonian | Faroese | Finnish | French | German | Hawaiian |
Hungarian | Icelandic | Indonesian | Italian | Latvian | Lithuanian | Navaho | Norwegian |
Polish | Portuguese | Romanian | Serbo_Croa | Slovak | Slovene | Spanish | Swedish |
Turkish | Wendic ]
Other languages not supported until UNICODE
[Amharic | Arabic | Armenian | Assamese | Belorusian | Bengali | Braj | Bulgarian |
Burmese | Cantonese | Church-Slavic | Dogri | Georgian | Greek | Gujarati | Hebrew |
Hindi | Japanese | Kannada | Khmer | Konkani | Korean | Lahnda | Lao | Macedonian |
Maithili | Malayalam | Mandrin | Manipuri | Marathi | Mewari | Nepali | Oriya | Pahari |
Pali | Panjabi | Persian | Prakrit | Pusto | Rajasthani | Russian | Sanskrit | Serb | Tagalog
| Tamil | Telugu | Thai | Tibetan | Ukrainian | Urdu | Vietnamese | Yiddish ]
LANGUAGE_OF_TEXT:
= {Size=1:15}
[ <LANGUAGE_ID> ]
The human language in which the data in the transmission is normally read or written. It is used
primarily by programs to select language-specific sorting sequences and phonetic name matching
algorithms.
LANGUAGE_PREFERENCE:
= {Size=1:90}
[ <LANGUAGE_ID> ]
The language in which a person prefers to communicate. Multiple language preference is shown
by using multiple occurrences in order of priority.
LDS_BAPTISM_DATE_STATUS:
= {Size=5:10}
[ CHILD | CLEARED | COMPLETED | INFANT | PRE-1970 |
QUALIFIED | STILLBORN | SUBMITTED | UNCLEARED ]
A code indicating the status of an LDS baptism and confirmation date where:
CHILD =Died before eight years old.
CLEARED = Baptism has been cleared for temple ordinance.
COMPLETED =Completed but the date is not known.
INFANT =Died before less than one year old, baptism not required.
QUALIFIED =Ordinance request qualified by authorized criteria.
PRE-1970 =Ordinance is likely completed, another ordinance for this person was
converted from temple records of work completed before 1970, therefore
this ordinance is assumed to be complete until all records are converted.
STILLBORN =Stillborn, baptism not required.
SUBMITTED =Ordinance was previously submitted.
UNCLEARED =Data for clearing ordinance request was insufficient.
LDS_CHILD_SEALING_DATE_STATUS:
= {Size=5:10}
[ BIC | CLEARED | COMPLETED | DNS | PRE-1970 |
QUALIFIED | STILLBORN | SUBMITTED | UNCLEARED ]
BIC =Born in the covenant receiving blessing of child to parent sealing.
CLEARED = Sealing has been cleared for temple ordinance.
COMPLETED =Completed but the date is not known.
DNS =This record is not being submitted for this temple ordinances.
QUALIFIED =Ordinance request qualified by authorized criteria.
PRE-1970 = (See pre-1970 under LDS_BAPTISM_DATE_STATUS.)
STILLBORN =Stillborn, not required.
SUBMITTED =Ordinance was previously submitted.
UNCLEARED =Data for clearing ordinance request was insufficient.
LDS_ENDOWMENT_DATE_STATUS:
= {Size=5:10}
[ CHILD | CLEARED | COMPLETED | INFANT | PRE-1970 |
QUALIFIED | STILLBORN | SUBMITTED | UNCLEARED ]
A code indicating the status of an LDS endowment ordinance where:
CHILD =Died before eight years old.
CLEARED = Endowment has been cleared for temple ordinance.
COMPLETED =Completed but the date is not known.
INFANT =Died before less than one year old, baptism not required.
QUALIFIED =Ordinance request qualified by authorized criteria.
PRE-1970 = (See pre-1970 under LDS_BAPTISM_DATE_STATUS.)
STILLBORN =Stillborn, ordinance not required.
SUBMITTED =Ordinance was previously submitted.
UNCLEARED =Data for clearing ordinance request was insufficient.
LDS_SPOUSE_SEALING_DATE_STATUS:
= {Size=3:10}
[ CANCELED | CLEARED | COMPLETED | DNS | DNS/CAN | PRE-1970 |
QUALIFIED | SUBMITTED | UNCLEARED ]
CANCELED =Canceled and considered invalid.
CLEARED = Sealing has been cleared for temple ordinance.
COMPLETED =Completed but the date is not known.
DNS =This record is not being submitted for this temple ordinances.
DNS/CAN =This record is not being submitted for this temple ordinances.
QUALIFIED =Ordinance request qualified by authorized criteria.
PRE-1970 = (See pre-1970 under LDS_BAPTISM_DATE_STATUS.)
SUBMITTED =Ordinance was previously submitted.
UNCLEARED =Data for clearing ordinance request was insufficient.
MONTH:
= {Size=3}
[ JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN |
JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC ]
Where
:
JAN = January
FEB = February
MAR = March
APR = April
MAY = May
JUN = June
JUL = July
AUG = August
SEP = September
OCT = October
NOV = November
DEC = December
MONTH_FREN:
= {Size=4}
[ VEND | BRUM | FRIM | NIVO | PLUV | VENT | GERM |
FLOR | PRAI | MESS | THER | FRUC | COMP ]
Where:
VEND = VENDEMIAIRE
BRUM = BRUMAIRE
FRIM = FRIMAIRE
NIVO = NIVOSE
PLUV = PLUVIOSE
VENT = VENTOSE
GERM = GERMINAL
FLOR = FLOREAL
PRAI = PRAIRIAL
MESS = MESSIDOR
THER = THERMIDOR
FRUC = FRUCTIDOR
COMP = JOUR_COMPLEMENTAIRS
MONTH_HEBR:
= {Size=3}
[ TSH | CSH | KSL | TVT | SHV | ADR | ADS |
NSN | IYR | SVN | TMZ | AAV | ELL ]
Where:
TSH = Tishri
CSH = Cheshvan
KSL = Kislev
TVT = Tevet
SHV = Shevat
ADR = Adar
ADS = Adar Sheni
NSN = Nisan
IYR = Iyar
SVN = Sivan
TMZ = Tammuz
AAV = Av
ELL = Elul
MULTIMEDIA_FILE_REFERENCE:
= {Size=1:30}
A complete local or remote file reference to the auxiliary data to be linked to the GEDCOM
context. Remote reference would include a network address where the multimedia data may be
obtained.
MULTIMEDIA_FORMAT:
= {Size=3:4}
[ bmp | gif | jpeg | ole | pcx | tiff | wav ]
Indicates the format of the multimedia data associated with the specific GEDCOM context. This
allows processors to determine whether they can process the data object. Any linked files should
contain the data required, in the indicated format, to process the file data. Industry standards will
emerge in this area and GEDCOM will then narrow its scope.
NAME_OF_BUSINESS:
= {Size=1:90}
Name of the business, corporation, or person that produced or commissioned the product.
NAME_OF_FAMILY_FILE:
= {Size=1:120}
Name under which family names for ordinances are stored in the temple's family file.
NAME_OF_PRODUCT:
= {Size=1:90}
The name of the software product that produced this transmission.
NAME_OF_REPOSITORY:
= {Size=1:90}
The official name of the archive in which the stated source material is stored.
NAME_OF_SOURCE_DATA:
= {Size=1:90}
The name of the electronic data source that was used to obtain the data in this transmission. For
example, the data may have been obtained from a CD-ROM disc that was named "U.S. 1880
CENSUS CD-ROM vol. 13."
NAME_PERSONAL:
= {Size=1:120}
[
<TEXT> |
/<TEXT>/ |
<TEXT> /<TEXT>/ |
/<TEXT>/ <TEXT> |
<TEXT> /<TEXT>/ <TEXT>
]
The surname of an individual, if known, is enclosed between two slash (/) characters. The order
of the name parts should be the order that the person would, by custom of their culture, have
used when giving it to a recorder. Early versions of Personal Ancestral File ® and other products
did not use the trailing slash when the surname was the last element of the name. If part of name
is illegible, that part is indicated by an ellipsis (...). Capitalize the name of a person or place in
the conventional manner%capitalize the first letter of each part and lowercase the other letters,
unless conventional usage is otherwise. For example: McMurray.
Examples
:
William Lee (given name only or surname not known)
/Parry/ (surname only)
William Lee /Parry/
William Lee /Mac Parry/ (both parts (Mac and Parry) are surname parts
William /Lee/ Parry (surname imbedded in the name string)
William Lee /Pa.../
NAME_PIECE:
= {Size=1:90}
The piece of the name pertaining to the name part of interest. The surname part, the given name
part, the name prefix part, or the name suffix part.
NAME_PIECE_GIVEN:
= {Size=1:120}
[ <NAME_PIECE> | <NAME_PIECE_GIVEN>, <NAME_PIECE> ]
Given name or earned name. Different given names are separated by a comma.
NAME_PIECE_NICKNAME:
= {Size=1:30}
[ <NAME_PIECE> | <NAME_PIECE_NICKNAME>, <NAME_PIECE> ]
A descriptive or familiar name used in connection with one's proper name.
NAME_PIECE_PREFIX:
= {Size=1:30}
[ <NAME_PIECE> | <NAME_PIECE_PREFIX>, <NAME_PIECE> ]
Non indexing name piece that appears preceding the given name and surname parts. Different
name prefix parts are separated by a comma.
For example
:
Lt. Cmndr.
Joseph /Allen/ jr.
In this example
Lt. Cmndr.
is considered as the name prefix portion.
NAME_PIECE_SUFFIX:
= {Size=1:30}
[ <NAME_PIECE> | <NAME_PIECE_SUFFIX>, <NAME_PIECE> ]
Non-indexing name piece that appears after the given name and surname parts. Different name
suffix parts are separated by a comma.
For example
:
Lt. Cmndr. Joseph /Allen/
jr.
In this example
jr.
is considered as the name suffix portion.
NAME_PIECE_SURNAME:
= {Size=1:120}
[ <NAME_PIECE> | <NAME_PIECE_SURNAME>, <NAME_PIECE> ]
Surname or family name. Different surnames are separated by a comma.
NAME_PIECE_SURNAME_PREFIX:
= {Size=1:30}
[ <NAME_PIECE> | <NAME_PIECE_SURNAME_PREFIX>, <NAME_PIECE> ]
Surname prefix or article used in a family name. Different surname articles are separated by a
comma, for example in the name "de la Cruz", this value would be "de, la".
NATIONAL_ID_NUMBER:
= {Size=1:30}
A nationally-controlled number assigned to an individual. Commonly known national numbers
should be assigned their own tag, such as SSN for U.S. Social Security Number. The use of the
IDNO tag requires a subordinate TYPE tag to identify what kind of number is being stored.
For example
:
n IDNO 43-456-1899
+1 TYPE Canadian Health Registration
NATIONAL_OR_TRIBAL_ORIGIN:
= {Size=1:120}
The person's division of national origin or other folk, house, kindred, lineage, or tribal interest.
Examples: Irish, Swede, Egyptian Coptic, Sioux Dakota Rosebud, Apache Chiricawa, Navajo
Bitter Water, Eastern Cherokee Taliwa Wolf, and so forth.
NEW_TAG:
= {Size=1:15}
A user-defined tag that is contained in the GEDCOM current transmission. This tag must begin
with an underscore (_) and should only be interpreted in the context of the sending system.
NOBILITY_TYPE_TITLE:
= {Size=1:120}
The title given to or used by a person, especially of royalty or other noble class within a locality.
NULL:
= {Size=0:0}
A convention that indicates the absence of any 8-bit ASCII character in the value including the
null character (0x00) which is prohibited.
NUMBER:
=
[<DIGIT> | <NUMBER>+<DIGIT>]
OCCUPATION:
= {Size=1:90}
The kind of activity that an individual does for a job, profession, or principal activity.
ORDINANCE_PROCESS_FLAG:
= {Size=2:3}
[ yes | no ]
A flag that indicates whether submission should be processed for clearing temple ordinances.
PEDIGREE_LINKAGE_TYPE:
= {Size=5:7}
[ adopted | birth | foster | sealing ]
A code used to indicate the child to family relationship for pedigree navigation purposes.
Where:
adopted = indicates adoptive parents.
birth = indicates birth parents.
foster = indicates child was included in a foster or guardian family.
sealing = indicates child was sealed to parents other than birth parents.
PERMANENT_RECORD_FILE_NUMBER:
= {Size=1:90}
<REGISTERED_RESOURCE_IDENTIFIER>:<RECORD_IDENTIFIER>
The record number that uniquely identifies this record within a registered network resource. The
number will be usable as a cross-reference pointer. The use of the colon (:) is reserved to
indicate the separation of the "registered resource identifier" (which precedes the colon) and the
unique "record identifier" within that resource (which follows the colon). If the colon is used,
implementations that check pointers should not expect to find a matching cross-reference
identifier in the transmission but would find it in the indicated database within a network. Making
resource files available to a public network is a future implementation.
PHONE_NUMBER:
= {Size=1:25}
A phone number.
PHYSICAL_DESCRIPTION:
= {Size=1:248}
An unstructured list of the attributes that describe the physical characteristics of a person, place,
or object. Commas separate each attribute.
Example:
1 DSCR Hair Brown, Eyes Brown, Height 5 ft 8 in
2 DATE 23 JUL 1935
PLACE_HIERARCHY:
= {Size=1:120}
This shows the jurisdictional entities that are named in a sequence from the lowest to the highest
jurisdiction. The jurisdictions are separated by commas, and any jurisdiction's name that is
missing is still accounted for by a comma. When a PLAC.FORM structure is included in the
HEADER of a GEDCOM transmission, it implies that all place names follow this jurisdictional
format and each jurisdiction is accounted for by a comma, whether the name is known or not.
When the PLAC.FORM is subordinate to an event, it temporarily overrides the implications
made by the PLAC.FORM structure stated in the HEADER. This usage is not common and,
therefore, not encouraged. It should only be used when a system has over-structured its place-names.
PLACE_LIVING_ORDINANCE:
= {Size=1:120}
<PLACE_VALUE>
The locality of the place where a living LDS ordinance took place. Usually only a living LDS
baptism place is recorded in this field.
PLACE_VALUE:
= {Size=1:120}
[
<TEXT> |
<TEXT>, <PLACE_VALUE>
]
The jurisdictional name of the place where the event took place. Jurisdictions are separated by
commas, for example, "Cove, Cache, Utah, USA." If the actual jurisdictional names of these
places have been identified, they can be shown using a PLAC.FORM structure either in the
HEADER or in the event structure. (See <PLACE_HIERARCHY>.)
POSSESSIONS:
= {Size=1:248}
A list of possessions (real estate or other property) belonging to this individual.
PUBLICATION_DATE:
= {Size=10:11}
<DATE_EXACT>
The date this source was published or created.
RECEIVING_SYSTEM_NAME:
= {Size=1:20}
The name of the system expected to process the GEDCOM-compatible transmission. The
registered RECEIVING_SYSTEM_NAME for all GEDCOM submissions to the Family History
Department
must
be one of the following names:
- "ANSTFILE" when submitting to Ancestral File.
- "TempleReady" when submitting for temple ordinance clearance.
RECORD_IDENTIFIER:
= {Size=1:18}
An identification number assigned to each record within a specific database. The database to
which the RECORD_IDENTIFIER pertains is indicated by the
REGISTERED_RESOURCE_NUMBER which precedes the colon (:). If the
RECORD_IDENTIFIER is not preceded by a colon, it is a reference to a record within the
current GEDCOM transmission.
RECORD_TYPE:
= {Size=3:4}
[ FAM | INDI | NOTE | OBJE | REPO | SOUR | SUBM | SUBN ]
An indicator of the record type being pointed to or used. For example if in an ASSOciation, an
INDIvidual record were to be ASSOciated with a FAM record then:
0 INDI
1 ASSO @F1@
2 TYPE FAM /* ASSOCIATION is with a FAM record.
2 RELA Witness at marriage
REGISTERED_RESOURCE_IDENTIFIER:
= {Size=1:25}
This is an identifier assigned to a resource database that is available through access to a network.
This is for future GEDCOM releases.
RELATION_IS_DESCRIPTOR:
= {Size=1:25}
A word or phrase that states object 1's
relation
is object 2. For example you would read the
following as "Joe Jacob's great grandson is the submitter pointed to by the @XREF:SUBM@":
0 INDI
1 NAME Joe /Jacob/
1 ASSO @<XREF:SUBM>@
2 RELA great grandson
RELIGIOUS_AFFILIATION:
= {Size=1:90}
A name of the religion with which this person, event, or record was affiliated.
RESPONSIBLE_AGENCY:
= {Size=1:120}
The organization, institution, corporation, person, or other entity that has authority or control
interests in the associated context. For example, an employer of a person of an associated
occupation, or a church that administered rites or events, or an organization responsible for
creating and/or archiving records.
RESTRICTION_NOTICE:
= {Size=6:7}
[ locked | privacy ]
The restriction notice is defined for Ancestral File usage. Ancestral File download GEDCOM
files may contain this data.
Where
:
locked =Some records in Ancestral File have been satisfactorily proven by evidence, but
because of source conflicts or incorrect traditions, there are repeated attempts to
change this record. By arrangement, the Ancestral File Custodian can lock a record
so that it cannot be changed without an agreement from the person assigned as the
steward of such a record. The assigned steward is either the submitter listed for the
record or Family History Support when no submitter is listed.
privacy =Information concerning this record is not present due to rights of or an approved
request for privacy.
ROLE_DESCRIPTOR:
= {Size=1:25}
A word or phrase that identifies a person's role in an event being described. This should be the
same word or phrase, and in the same language, that the recorder used to define the role in the
actual record.
ROLE_IN_EVENT:
= {Size=1:15}
[ CHIL | HUSB | WIFE | MOTH | FATH | SPOU |
(
<ROLE_DESCRIPTOR>
)
]
Indicates what role this person played in the event that is being cited in this context. For
example, if you cite a child's birth record as the source of the mother's name, the value for this
field is "MOTH." If you describe the groom of a marriage, the role is "HUSB." If the role is
something different than one of the six relationship role tags listed above then enclose the role
name within matching parentheses.
SCHOLASTIC_ACHIEVEMENT:
= {Size=1:248}
A description of a scholastic or educational achievement or pursuit.
SEX_VALUE:
= {Size=1:7}
A code that indicates the sex of the individual:
M = Male
F = Female
SOCIAL_SECURITY_NUMBER:
= {Size=9:11}
A number assigned to a person in the United States for identification purposes.
SOURCE_CALL_NUMBER:
= {Size=1:120}
An identification or reference description used to file and retrieve items from the holdings of a
repository.
SOURCE_DESCRIPTION:
= {Size=1:248}
A free form text block used to describe the source from which information was obtained. This
text block is used by those systems which cannot use a pointer to a source record. It must contain
a descriptive title, who created the work, where and when it was created, and where is source
data stored. The developer should encourage users to use an appropriate style for forming this
free form bibliographic reference. Developers are encouraged to support the
SOURCE_RECORD method of reporting bibliographic reference descriptions.
SOURCE_DESCRIPTIVE_TITLE:
= {Size=1:248}
The title of the work, record, or item and, when appropriate, the title of the larger work or
series of which it is a part.
For a published work, a book for example, might have a title plus the title of the series of which
the book is a part. A magazine article would have a title plus the title of the magazine that
published the article.
For An unpublished work, such as:
- A letter might include the date, the sender, and the receiver.
- A transaction between a buyer and seller might have their names and the transaction date.
- A family Bible containing genealogical information might have past and present owners and a
physical description of the book.
- A personal interview would cite the informant and interviewer.
SOURCE_FILED_BY_ENTRY:
= {Size= 1:60}
This entry is to provide a short title used for sorting, filing, and retrieving source records.
SOURCE_JURISDICTION_PLACE:
= {Size=1:120}
<PLACE_VALUE>
The name of the lowest jurisdiction that encompasses all lower-level places named in this source.
For example, "Oneida, Idaho" would be used as a source jurisdiction place for events occurring
in the various towns within Oneida County. "Idaho" would be the source jurisdiction place if the
events recorded took place in other counties as well as Oneida County.
SOURCE_MEDIA_TYPE:
= {Size=1:15}
[ audio | book | card | electronic | fiche | film | magazine |
manuscript | map | newspaper | photo | tombstone | video ]
A code, selected from one of the media classifications choices above, that indicates the type of
material in which the referenced source is stored.
SOURCE_ORIGINATOR:
= {Size=1:248}
The person, agency, or entity who created the record. For a published work, this could be the
author, compiler, transcriber, abstractor, or editor. For an unpublished source, this may be an
individual, a government agency, church organization, or private organization, etc.
SOURCE_PUBLICATION_FACTS:
= {Size=248}
When and where the record was created. For published works, this includes information such as
the city of publication, name of the publisher, and year of publication.
For an unpublished work, it includes the date the record was created and the place where it was
created. For example, the county and state of residence of a person making a declaration for a
pension or the city and state of residence of the writer of a letter.
SUBMITTER_NAME:
= {Size=1:60}
The name of the submitter formatted for display and address generation.
SUBMITTER_REGISTERED_RFN:
= {Size=1:30}
A registered number of a submitter of Ancestral File data. This number is used in subsequent
submissions or inquiries by the submitter for identification purposes.
SUBMITTER_TEXT:
= {Size=1:248}
Comments or opinions from the submitter.
TEMPLE_CODE:
= {Size=4:5}
An abbreviation of the temple in which LDS temple ordinances were performed. (See Appendix C)
TEXT:
= {Size=1:248}
A string composed of any valid character from the GEDCOM character set.
TEXT_FROM_SOURCE:
= {Size=1:248}
<TEXT>
A verbatim copy of any description contained within the source. This indicates notes or text that
are actually contained in the source document, not the submitter's opinion about the source. This
should be, from the evidence point of view, "what the original record keeper said" as opposed tothe researcher's interpretation. The word TEXT, in this case, means from the text which
appeared in the source record including labels.
TIME_VALUE:
= {Size=1:12}
[ hh:mm:ss.fs ]
The time of a specific event, usually a computer-timed event, where:
hh =hours on a 24-hour clock
mm =minutes
ss =seconds (optional)
fs =decimal fraction of a second (optional)
TRANSMISSION_DATE:
= {Size=10:11}
<DATE_EXACT>
The date that this transmission was created.
USER_REFERENCE_NUMBER:
= {Size=1:20}
A user-defined number or text that the submitter uses to identify this record. For instance, it may
be a record number within the submitter's automated or manual system, or it may be a page and
position number on a pedigree chart.
USER_REFERENCE_TYPE:
= {Size=1:40}
A user-defined definition of the USER_REFERENCE_NUMBER.
VERSION_NUMBER:
= {Size=1:15}
An identifier that represents the version level assigned to the associated product. It is defined and
changed by the creators of the product.
WHERE_WITHIN_SOURCE:
= {Size=1:248}
Specific location with in the information referenced. For a published work, this could include the
volume of a multi-volume work and the page number(s). For a periodical, it could include
volume, issue, and page numbers. For a newspaper, it could include a column number and page
number. For an unpublished source, this could be a sheet number, page number, frame number,
etc. A census record might have a line number or dwelling and family numbers in addition to the
page number.
XREF:
= {Size=1:22}
Either a pointer or an unique cross-reference identifier. If this element appears before the tag in a
GEDCOM line, then it is a cross-reference identifier. If it appears after the tag in a GEDCOM
line, then it is a pointer. The method of delimiting a pointer or cross-reference identifier is to
enclose the pointer or cross-reference identifier within at signs (@), for example, @I123@. A
XREF may not begin with a number sign (#). This is to avoid confusion with an escape sequence
prefix (@#). The use of a colon (:) in the XREF is reserved for creating future network cross-references and the use of an exclamation (!) is reserved for intra-record pointers. Uniqueness of
the cross-reference identifier is required within the transmission file.
XREF:FAM:
= {Size=1:22}
A pointer to, or a cross-reference identifier of, a fam_record.
XREF:INDI:
= {Size=1:22}
A pointer to, or a cross-reference identifier of, an individual record.
XREF:NOTE:
= {Size=1:22}
A pointer to, or a cross-reference identifier of, a note record.
XREF:OBJE:
= {Size=1:22}
A pointer to, or a cross-reference identifier of, a multimedia object.
XREF:REPO:
= {Size=1:22}
A pointer to, or a cross-reference identifier of, a repository record.
XREF:SOUR:
= {Size=1:22}
A pointer to, or a cross-reference identifier of, a SOURce record.
XREF:SUBM:
= {Size=1:22}
A pointer to, or a cross-reference identifier of, a SUBMitter record.
XREF:SUBN:
= {Size=1:22}
A pointer to, or a cross-reference identifier of, a SUBmissioN record.
YEAR:
= {Size=3:4}
A numeric representation of the calendar year in which an event occurred.
YEAR_GREG:
= {Size=3:7}
[ <NUMBER> | <NUMBER>/<DIGIT><DIGIT> ]
The slash "/" <DIGIT><DIGIT> a year modifier which shows the possible date alternatives
for pre-1752 date brought about by a changing the beginning of the year from MAR to JAN in
the English calendar change of 1752, for example, 15 APR 1699/00. A (B.C.) appended to the
<YEAR> indicates a date before the birth of Christ.
Compatibility with Other GEDCOM Versions
GEDCOM compatibility is measured on a per tag basis, and depends on how similar the data
models are for the two different communicating products and on how consistently they understood
and complied with the GEDCOM Standard. A few inconsistencies in the use of specific tags also
crept into different releases of the standard itself, due to lack of foresight or inadvertent errors.
Within these limits, GEDCOM compatible products can exchange data based on GEDCOM 2.0,
3.0, 4.0, and 5.x. Of course, newer GEDCOM releases significantly extend the data model for
which the newer tag contexts will not be supported by older products. Some products have
introduced their own variations into their GEDCOM form. This will likely provide unique problems
with compatibility.
The following are areas in which incompatibilities may arise:
Packaging the GEDCOM Transmission File
The GEDCOM transmission is normally created on a DOS or Macintosh® compatible diskette. The
DOS filename extension is (.GED). Macintosh filenames do not use file extensions.
When the GEDCOM file is too large to fit on a single diskette, the file is divided after any whole-line (last character is the
terminator
), and the DOS filename extension becomes (G##) where (##) is
(00) for the second disk, (01) for the third, and so forth. For Macintosh filenames, append the two
digits to the subsequent filenames in parentheses. (See the example below.) This allows the receiving
software to ensure that disks are read in the correct sequence.
Given that the user-supplied portion of the file name is SMITH, then the complete filenames for a
three-disk transmission would be:
Disk DOS Filename Macintosh Filename
1 SMITH.GED SMITH
2 SMITH.G00 SMITH(00)
3 SMITH.G01 SMITH(01)
The required GEDCOM HEADer record appears only on the first disk and the required TRLR
(trailer) record appears only on the last disk and
must be followed by the terminator.
User-Defined Tags
We do not encourage the use of user-defined GEDCOM tags. Applications requiring the use of non-standard tags should define them with a leading underscore so that they will not conflict with future
GEDCOM standard tags. Systems that read user-defined tags must consider that they have meaning
only with respect to a system contained in the HEAD.SOUR context.
Escape Sequence Format for the Lineage-Linked Form
The Lineage-Linked GEDCOM Form no longer uses the
escape
sequence feature provided in the
GEDCOM grammar.
Sample Lineage-Linked GEDCOM Transmission
The example below shows how some of these value types appear in a valid GEDCOM lineage-linked transmission. The example is a sample transmission of genealogical information about three
individuals who are members of the same family%father, mother, and child. In the example,
"Joe/Williams/" is the value specified by the tag NAME under the INDI tag for the record (@3@).
Other values in other lines, such as the birth date and place, provide additional information about
Joe Williams. The value (@4@) specified by the FAMC tag is a pointer to the FAM_RECORD
(@4@) of which Joe Williams is a child. Included also in this transmission example are three other
record types: a source record, a submitter record, and a repository record. These records are
pointed to from within other records in the transmission. This shows how pointer values can be used
in creating Lineage-Linked GEDCOM Form.
Example: ( Indentation and bolding are added for readability only.)
0 HEAD
1 SOUR PAF
2 VERS 2.1
1 DEST ANSTFILE
1 SUBM @5@
1 SUBN @8@
1 GEDC
2 VERS 5.4
2 FORM Lineage-Linked
1 CHAR ANSEL
0 @1@ INDI
1 NAME Robert Eugene/Williams/
1 SEX M
1 BIRT
2 DATE 02 OCT 1822
2 PLAC Weston, Madison, Connecticut
2 SOUR @6@
3 PAGE Sec. 2, p. 45
3 EVEN BIRT
4 ROLE CHIL
1 DEAT
2 DATE 14 APR 1905
2 PLAC Stamford, Fairfield, CT
1 BURI
2 PLAC Spring Hill Cem., Stamford, CT
1 RESI
2 ADDR 73 North Ashley
3 CONT Spencer, Utah UT84991
2 DATE from 1900 to 1905
1 FAMS @4@
1 FAMS @9@
0 @2@ INDI
1 NAME Mary Ann/Wilson/
1 SEX F
1 BIRT
2 DATE BEF 1828
2 PLAC Connecticut
1 FAMS @4@
0 @3@ INDI
1 NAME Joe/Williams/
1 SEX M
1 BIRT
2 DATE 11 JUN 1861
2 PLAC Idaho Falls, Bonneville, Idaho
1 FAMC @4@
1 FAMC @9@
2 PEDI Adopted
1 ADOP
2 FAMC @9@
2 Date 16 MAR 1864
1 SLGC
2 FAMC @9@
2 DATE 2 OCT 1987
2 TEMP SLAKE
0 @4@ FAM
1 MARR
2 DATE DEC 1859
2 PLAC Rapid City, South Dakota
1 SLGS
2 DATE 14 JUN 1975
2 TEMP SLAKE
1 HUSB @1@
1 WIFE @2@
1 CHIL @3@
0 @5@ SUBM
1 NAME Reldon /Poulson/
1 ADDR 1900 43rd Street West
2 CONT Billings, MT 68051
1 PHON (406) 555-1232
0 @6@ SOUR
1 DATA
2 EVEN BIRT, DEAT, MARR
3 DATE FROM Jan 1820 TO DEC 1825
2 PLAC Madison, Connecticut
2 AGNC Madison County Court, State of Connecticut
1 TITL Madison County Birth, Death, and Marriage Records
1 ABBR VITAL RECORDS
1 REPO @7@
2 CALN 13B-1234.01
2 MEDI Microfilm
0 @7@ REPO
1 NAME Family History Library
1 ADDR 35 N West Temple Street
2 CONT Salt Lake City, Utah
2 CONT UT 84150
0 @8@ SUBN
1 SUBM @5@
1 FAMF Reg Poulson Family
1 TEMP SLAKE
0 @9@ FAM
1 HUSB @1@
1 CHIL @3@
0 TRLR
The following is an example of a SOURCE_CITATION subordinate to the birth event being cited that does not contain a
pointer to a SOURCE_RECORD. (This is not encouraged.)
0 INDI
1 NAME Fred /Jones/
1 BIRT
2 DATE 14 MAY 1812
2 PLAC Tonbridge, Kent, England
2 SOUR Waters, Henry F., Genealogical Gleanings in England: Abstracts of
3 CONC Wills Relating to Early American Families. 2 vols., reprint 1901, 1907.
3 CONC Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1981.
3 CONC Stored in Family History Library book 942 D2wh; films 481,057-58
3 CONC Vol 2, page 388.