Helpful information and requirements to become a FamilySearch GEDCOM Compatible product

Compatibility Requirements

  • READ/WRITE FAMILYSEARCH GEDCOM FILE

    The vendor needs to demonstrate the ability to both read and write a FamilySearch GEDCOM file and prove that the result is valid FamilySearch GEDCOM 7. The maximal70.ged file can be used to determine a compatibility score, and the GEDCOM validator can be used to show validity, although it is still in beta.

  • READ FAMILYSEARCH GEDCOM FILE

    The vendor needs to demonstrate the ability to read the maximal70.ged file and display the contents in their own environment.

  • WRITE FAMILYSEARCH GEDCOM FILE

    The vendor needs to demonstrate the ability to write a sample FamilySearch GEDCOM file and prove that it is valid FamilySearch GEDCOM 7. For example, the GEDCOM validator can be used, although it is still in beta.

  • PACKAGE GEDZIP

    The vendor needs to demonstrate the ability to make according to specifications a .gdz file that includes the .ged file that points to both included local and online resources using the multimedia link as defined by the FamilySearch GEDCOM specification.

  • UNPACKAGE GEDZIP

    The vendor needs to demonstrate unzipping a .gdz file and how the unpackaged resources are accessible with the FamilySearch GEDCOM Compatible product that was used to unzip the file and how the multimedia links do point to both included local and online resources.

Development Tools

There are sample code for converting, parsing, and validating. These tools are authored and maintained by third parties and may vary in license, quality, and correctness. Learn about them and access the code by choosing the Tools menu item.

Sample Files

There are many sample files that show how to properly encode GEDCOM 7 files to accomodate data for various situations. These can be use to determine importability and to read to learn how to implement GEDCOM 7 for many different scenarios, such as for converting, parsing, and validating. Learn about and download these sample files by choosing the Tools menu item.

Implementation Progress

Organizations and Authors that are planning, working on, or finalized their implementation can be viewed by going to Implementation Progress.