Related Resources • How to Share Genealogy Files • GEDCOM to HTML • Family Tree Software

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GEDCOM, a popular method for exchanging information among genealogists, really isn't as mysterious as its name implies. An acronym for GEnealogical Data COMmunication, GEDCOM, in simple terms, is a method of formatting your family tree data into a text file which can be easily read and converted by any genealogy software program. A variety of free and shareware genealogy programs are available to allow you to view GEDCOM files, even if you don't have a family tree software program. You can even read them without a viewer as a standard text file as long as you understand a few basic rules about their format.

If you want to share your own family tree information and are looking for an easy way to remove information on living individuals (essential for maintaining their privacy), then there are software programs available which can do that too!

More About Creating and Sharing GEDCOM Files

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