If you are looking for a way to share the family information you’ve entered into Family Tree Maker with another relative who uses a computer, exporting the file to GEDCOM may be your answer.

GEDCOM is a file format that allows you to share genealogical data with others, even if they are using a different genealogy program. A GEDCOM file is simply a text file which uses specific words (called “tags”) and structures to represent family relationships and data. It can be opened and viewed with a word processor or basic text editor as well as with most genealogy programs. Because every GEDCOM file uses the same “tags” and structures, any genealogy program that is reading it can translate the information into its own file format automatically.

Family Tree Maker can import as well as export GEDCOM files. So, to share the data from your Family File, simply choose “Copy/Export Family File” from the File menu. Then, choose the GEDCOM file format from the Files of type list box. Family Tree Maker will automatically suggest a name for the file. If you want to share only a portion of your Family File, go to a tree or report view to select the individual names you want to export. For example, if you want only your father’s ancestors, you might choose an Ancestor tree starting from your father. Once you have selected the view and chosen the individual names you want to include, choose Copy/Export Individuals from the File menu. The Copy/Export Individuals command will only export the names you have selected in the current view.

Now that you have the GEDCOM file you’d like to share, you can send it by e-mail. Because the GEDCOM file is text, it can usually be attached or included with an e-mail. Attached files are easy to handle—just tell the recipient to save the “attachment” to the desired directory on your relative’s hard drive and use it as they would any GEDCOM file.

If you send the GEDCOM file within the message body (embedded) instead of as an attachment, the recipient will need to follow these steps before using the GEDCOM file: First, save the message to a text file and open it with a word processor or text editing program. The text at the top of the page (and at the very end of the message) is the e-mail program’s routing information. Next, highlight and delete the text from the top of the page, up to, but not including, the line “0 HEAD” [Zero HEAD]. “0 HEAD” marks the beginning of the GEDCOM data. Scroll through the remaining text to the line that reads “0 TRLR” [Zero TRLR]. Highlight all of the text following that line and delete it. What is left is the GEDCOM data. Next, save the file with the GED extension and it is ready to import into your relative’s genealogy program.