FamilyBushes

What Is a GEDCOM File?

Import .GED

A plain-text format for exchanging family tree data between genealogy programs — and how to open, view and edit your .ged file online for free.

How to open a GEDCOM file online (free)

You don't need to install desktop software to look inside a .ged file. FamilyBushes.com works as a free online GEDCOM viewer and editor:

  1. Open the family tree editor and sign in with your email.
  2. Click Import and choose your .ged file.
  3. Your ancestors appear as an interactive family tree — switch between the graph, classic tree, map and timeline views, then keep editing or share the tree with a link.

The import runs in your browser and your tree is stored in your own account — nothing is published unless you choose to share it.

The GEDCOM format

GEDCOM (Genealogical Data Communication) is a plain-text file format with the .ged extension. It was created in 1984 to let genealogists move their data between different software without losing information. Today it is the universal export format supported by every major genealogy platform: Ancestry, MyHeritage, FamilySearch, MacFamilyTree, Gramps, and many others.

A GEDCOM file stores individuals, families, dates, places, and relationships as a sequence of tagged lines. Each record begins with a level number, a tag (like INDI for individual or FAM for family), and a value.

What a GEDCOM file looks like

A minimal example showing one person and one family unit:

0 @I1@ INDI
1 NAME John /Smith/
1 SEX M
1 BIRT
2 DATE 12 MAR 1950
2 PLAC New York, USA

0 @F1@ FAM
1 HUSB @I1@
1 WIFE @I2@
1 CHIL @I3@
1 MARR
2 DATE 5 JUN 1975

What GEDCOM stores

  • Individuals — name, sex, birth/death dates and places, notes
  • Families — husband, wife, children, marriage date and place
  • Events — baptism, burial, residence, occupation, and many more
  • Sources & citations — document references and repository links
  • Notes — free-text biographical notes attached to any record

Photos are referenced by file path, not embedded — so they are typically lost when moving between programs.

Importing GEDCOM into FamilyBushes.com

  • Open the FamilyBushes.com editor and sign in.
  • Click Import and choose your .ged file.
  • The editor reads all individuals and family relationships and renders them as an interactive visual tree.
  • You can then continue editing — add photos, events, notes, and more.

After importing you can save the tree as a .fbft file to keep a full backup that includes photos and life events.

How to export a GEDCOM file from other services

Every major genealogy platform can produce a .ged file you can bring to FamilyBushes.com:

  • Ancestry — open your tree, go to Tree Settings → Export tree, and download the generated GEDCOM.
  • MyHeritage — in the family tree view choose Manage trees → Export to GEDCOM.
  • FamilySearch — FamilySearch has no direct full-tree export; third-party tools connected to your account can produce a GEDCOM of your branch.
  • Family Echo — click Download below the tree and choose GEDCOM. Its own FamilyScript format imports here directly too.
  • Desktop programs (Gramps, MacFamilyTree, RootsMagic, Family Tree Maker) — look for File → Export → GEDCOM.

GEDCOM vs. FBFT

GEDCOM is the best choice when moving data between programs. The .fbft format used by FamilyBushes.com goes further: it bundles photos, life events with map coordinates, and full tree data into a single ZIP file. If you work exclusively in FamilyBushes.com, .fbft is the recommended backup format.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I view a GEDCOM file online without installing anything?

Upload the .ged file to the FamilyBushes.com editor — it renders your data as an interactive family tree in the browser. Viewing and importing is free and works on desktop and mobile.

What does GEDCOM stand for?

GEDCOM stands for Genealogical Data Communication. It was developed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1984 as a standard way to exchange genealogical data between different software programs.

Can I import a GEDCOM file into FamilyBushes.com?

Yes. Open the editor, go to Import, and upload your .ged file. FamilyBushes.com will parse the people, relationships, and dates and render them as an interactive family tree you can continue editing.

Will my photos be included in the GEDCOM import?

GEDCOM files reference photos by file path but do not embed them. Photos are not carried over during import — you can add them manually after importing your tree.

What version of GEDCOM does FamilyBushes.com support?

FamilyBushes.com supports GEDCOM 5.5 and 5.5.1, which are the most widely used versions exported by Ancestry, MyHeritage, FamilySearch, and most desktop genealogy software.

Can I export my FamilyBushes tree back to GEDCOM?

Not yet — export is currently available in the native .fbft format. GEDCOM export is on the roadmap.