Migrating with GEDCOM

Note that this page is a work-in-progress...

GEDCOM is the "standard" text format used to transfer or migrate genealogy data from one program to another.

Below are descriptions on how to create a GEDCOM file from TMG and its predecessors. Then you can import that GEDCOM file into any of several other genealogy programs.

Create a GEDCOM from a TMGv9.05 or TMGv8.08 Project

After opening a project, then from the "File" menu, click on "Export...". A window with the Export Wizard appears.
  1. Step 1: Welcome export
    • Click "Next>" button.
  2. Step 2: Export to
    • Export file type: Select "Gedcom (*.ged)".
    • Export file name: Replace "NewExport" with your own name (or leave it as is).
    • Put in Folder: "...\Exxport\" is the default folder. Or you can click on the "Location" button to navigate to an existing directory to place the GEDCOM file in.
    • Click "Next>" button.
  3. Step 3: Configuration
    • "DEFAULT" is the only one.
    • "Use without saving changes" is selected.
    • You may make changes in the "Description:" box if you wish.
    • Click "Next>" button.
  4. Step 4: Export what people; Either
    • Click on "Current Focus Person" and enter or find a TMG ID number.
    • Click on and select (in drop-down list) a data set; if you do, then select either:
      • All people
      • Selected people on the Project Explorer
      • People in the Focus Group
      By default, the current data set is selected along with "All people".
    • Click "Next>" button.
  5. Step 5: Option screen 1
    • Version: Select from the drop-down list (default is "GEDCOM 5.5").
    • Character Set: Select from the drop-down list (default is "ANSI").
    • Click on all the check-boxes that you'd like to include in the exported GEDCOM file.
    • Click "Next>" button.
  6. Step 6: Option screen 2
    • Tag Types: default is "All". If you click on "Selected", another box with all Tag Types is displayed for you to select or deselect.
    • Names: default is "All Variations".
    • Events: default is "All Variations".
    • Click "Next>" button.
  7. Step 7: Option screen 3
    • Export Reference field to: default is "Reference (REFN)".
    • Exclusion: no check-boxes are checked.
    • Maximum GEDCOM line length: default is 80 characters; you may increase or decrease this value.
    • By default, the check-box for "Break long values between words" is unchecked.
    • Places: "Place Levels" is checked and the check-boxes for "Detail" through "Country" are checked.
    • Click "Next>" button.
  8. Step 8: Finish
    • Click the "Finish" button to create the GEDCOM file.
    • Two bars are shown, showing the progress of the export to a GEDCOM file. When done, a small window indicating "Export is finished" is displayed. Click the "OK" button.

Create a GEDCOM from a UFT database

UFT has a function to export your genealogy database to a GEDCOM file.

Create a GEDCOM from a ROOTS IV or ROOTS V or Family Gathering database

These programs each have a function to export your genealogy database to a GEDCOM file.

Create a GEDCOM from a ROOTS III (R3) database

  1. Restore the R3 database (a file with .edb extension) or a R3 GEDCOM file to ROOTS III (this is a big step).
  2. Produce a new GEDCOM file from ROOTS III.
  3. Load the new GEDCOM file using another genealogy program, for example, Roots Magic.
  4. Produce a GEDCOM file from this genealogy program.
  5. Compare the new GEDCOM file from this genealogy program to the original GEDCOM file. Or, compare the new GEDCOM file to existing reports from R3 to see if any data seems to be missing.
The file r3ged.zip on the RUG website contains what you need. Unzip it and read the instructions (documentation) in the file GEDCOM.TXT (Click to download the r3ged.zip file).

Last update: 25 July 2017