What is a GEDCOM?

A GEDCOM file is the standard format to exchange genealogical information between family members and fellow researchers.
 

How do I export a GEDCOM?

Exporting your GEDCOM is very easy, but the process varies from program to program.  Select the program that you use for your genealogy to see instructions for exporting a GEDCOM:

• Family Tree Maker
• Legacy
• Personal Ancestral File (PAF)
• Reunion
• Rootsmagic
• The Master Genealogist

If you are just beginning and do not have your family information in any of these genealogy programs, download PAF for free, enter in your information and then follow the instructions above to export your GEDCOM and make your family tree website.

Do you support other genealogy programs?

We invite you to upload a GEDCOM from any genealogy program (with your 30 day free trial) to your FamilyInHistory website but cannot guarantee it will work.  GEDCOMs from the six programs listed above have been tested thoroughly and import successfully with few exceptions.  If you use another genealogy program, here’s what we suggest:

1. Export a GEDCOM from your program.
2. Download PAF for free, and import your GEDCOM into PAF
3. Follow the steps above to export your GEDCOM from PAF 

Taking a few minutes to do this will ensure that the GEDCOM is in a compatible format for your FamilyInHistory site.

Is there a limit to how big my GEDCOM file can be?

Not that we know of!  We have users with tens of thousands of people in their GEDCOM files with no problems.  If your GEDCOM is larger than 10 MB (~30,000 individuals), however, we ask you to contact us for help uploading your GEDCOM.

What if I already have a genealogy website?

You have a couple of options:

1. Transfer over what you have on your old website to your new FamilyInHistory website.  Tell your family members that you have moved websites and add a prominent link so your visitors know to come to your new website. 
2. Some people choose to keep both websites and use one to support the other.  Remember that at FamilyInHistory, you can easily visualize your pedigree & descendants charts, collaborate on adding pictures and stories, search through your database of names and enjoy a number of other great features.

Can I (or any of my users) edit genealogical information on the site?

Not at this time.  Though this feature may be available in the future, our current focus is to help you display your family information and allow others in your family to collaborate on your family history.  If you make changes to your GEDCOM, you will be able to re-upload your updated GEDCOM which will update your entire website--we are currently working on this feature.  As the administrator of your site, you can add/edit/delete timeline events, stories, news, and photos.  You can also allow other users of your site to have some or all of these privileges.

Why don’t living people show up on my website? 

For privacy reasons, names and personal details about living people are filtered out when you upload your GEDCOM.  However, the person is still connected to their family and shows up as "Living" on your website.

What happens to my family history information?

Your family history information is yours. If you do not renew your subscription, you take your information with you. We will never charge others to search and access your data.

Do I have to sign up for a year contract?

Before your free 30-day trial is finished, you can select a monthly plan.  If you pay by credit card, there is no contract.  Upgrade, downgrade or cancel your plan at any time.  If you pay by check, we ask that you pay for 6 or 12 months in advance.

How do I pay for my website with a check?

To pay by check, we ask you to send a payment for 6 or 12 months to:

FamilyPulse LC
PO Box 911
Lehi, UT 84043