1. Why should I upload my GEDCOM to MyTrees.com? We often hear from distressed genealogists who say their computers have crashed and their backup disks are unusable. If they have previously submitted their GEDOM to us, the solution is as easy as downloading a copy of the file. Here at MyTrees.com, we backup every file in our database not once but four times. This insures that no matter what happens, we will always have a copy of your complete file stored on our server.
   
   If you upload your GEDCOM to us, we'll give you free access to our subscription database. Any file that contains at least 60 individuals and 15 families will receive one free month. Depending on the size of the file, you could receive up to four free months. Please note that this is a one time offer, so be sure to upload your largest file first.
   
   When you upload your GEDCOM to us, it becomes part of our Ancestry Archive and anyone searching our site can find it and see what names you are researching. This makes it easy for others with similar research interests to contact you in order to share information.
   
   You can register a Family Password in order to give your family members complete access to your file. This free service is a great way to share your genealogical finds with relatives over the internet.
   
   As mentioned above, any genealogy program can create a GEDCOM. However, sometimes certain genealogy programs place information in a GEDCOM that can't be read by any other program. This raises the danger of losing that information when the GEDCOM is imported into another program. Our website has been carefully designed so that it will never lose data. If something is not understood by our program, that information is placed in the notes so that it is still available.
   
   
2. What is a GEDCOM? A GEDCOM file is a simple text file of your family tree. GEDCOM is an acronym that stands for GEnealogical Data COMmunication. Every genealogy program speaks its own, unique language. So, if you create a file using the Legacy program, that file can only be read and displayed by Legacy. If you tried sending it to a friend who had another program, such as PAF or Family Tree Maker, it would be like trying to speak Chinese to someone who only understands French. In order to share information, you need to find a common language that both programs can understand. GEDCOM is that common language. A GEDCOM can be created and read by any genealogy program.
   
   
3. How do I create a GEDCOM? Like I said, every genealogy program has the ability to create a GEDCOM. However, the exact process involved is different for each program. Generally, the option to create a GEDCOM can be found in the File menu under the heading Export. You should be able to find specific instructions in your program's user manual or help files. Just look up GEDCOM. Here are links to instructions for exporting a GEDCOM in some of the more popular genealogy programs:
   
   Legacy 6.0
   
   Family Tree Maker 2006
   
   PAF 5.0
   
   
4. I have some concerns about uploading my GEDCOM... Worried about other people downloading copies of your file? We have set up our site so that, while anyone can view your file in our Ancestry Archive, only small portions of it may be downloaded. Up to eighteen generations can be downloaded at one time from the Archive. If someone wants more than that, they have to contact you, the submitter.
   
   What about living individuals? Here at MyTrees.com, we protect the privacy of living individuals by NOT displaying their names in our database. Our system automatically determines which individuals are still living by birth date. As long as you've included birth dates for all living people, their names will not appear in the Ancestry Archive.
   
   Are you using a MAC computer? Not a problem. Our website has been designed to read and process all GEDCOMs, including those created by MAC programs.
   
   
5. I have pictures in my family tree. Will those be uploaded with my GEDCOM? No. A GEDCOM is a text file, which means that it only includes words and numbers. Any pictures that you may have saved in your genealogy program will not be uploaded as a part of your GEDCOM. However, you can still upload your pictures to MyTrees.com using our MyTrees Online program. Here is a link to specific instructions on how to do so:
   
   Uploading Pictures in MyTrees Online
   
   
6. I've uploaded my GEDCOM. Now what? Once you have uploaded your GEDCOM to us, you can use our free MyTrees Online program to view and edit your file whenever you like. Just click on the MyTrees tab from any page on our site to view your file. MyTrees Online has some useful features including:
   
   Merge information from other files into your own. If you find information in the Ancestry Archive that ties into your research, it's easy to copy that information directly into your own file and then merge it to your existing lines.
   
   The Backup and Restore options. These options allow you to create a backup of your file whenever you feel the need. Then, if something goes wrong, you can restore to your most recent backup. This is especially useful when merging information. If you do a merge and then realize that it's not what you want, it's simple to undo the merge by restoring to your last backup.
   
   Need to split your file into different sections? MyTrees Online makes it easy to do so by allowing you to download one line at a time. All you have to do is go to the name you wish to start the new file with and then select how many generations to download from that point.
   
   One thing to remember about uploading your GEDCOM to MyTrees.com is that it's not over when you click on the Upload button. Whether you're an old hand at genealogy or just getting into this exciting hobby, you probably consider your family tree file as a work in progress. You're constantly searching for that next, illusive ancestor and both adding to and editing your file as you go. As your file grows and changes, be sure to keep us updated! You can always update your MyTrees.com file by uploading a new GEDCOM. That way, you will always have a current online backup of your file.

Article written by Aubrey Fredrickson