GEDCOM

Writing & Everyday abbreviation · Genealogy

GEDCOM
Stands forGenealogical Data Communication
CategoriesWriting & Everyday

GEDCOM stands for Genealogical Data Communication, a genealogy abbreviation.

The standard file format for exchanging family-tree data between genealogy programs and websites, developed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Files use the .ged extension.

Example: Export your tree as a GEDCOM file and upload it to the new genealogy site.

Usage notes

GEDCOM was first released in 1984; version 5.5 (1996) and 5.5.1 served as the de facto standard for decades, and version 7.0 appeared in 2021. The format stores people, families, events and sources as tagged lines, with tags such as BIRT, DEAT and MARR. Not every program imports every feature, so notes or media can be lost in transfer.

More genealogy abbreviations

  • d.s.p. – Decessit sine prole (died without issue)
  • d.v.p. – Decessit vita patris (died in the father's lifetime)
  • dau. – Daughter
  • dec'd – Deceased
  • do. – Ditto
  • exr. – Executor
  • GGF – Great-grandfather
  • inf. – Infant
  • m. – Married
  • MRCA – Most recent common ancestor
  • N.N. – Nomen nescio (name unknown)
  • ob. – Obiit (died)

See all 29 genealogy abbreviations →