[Genealib] Re: GEDCOM in the Library

[Libby Feil]

Hi, Jane and all--
	Because of our limited funding and space, we don't accept CD 
donations such as family histories on CD either.  Some of the smaller 
problems we've had with CDs include theft, scratches, and warping 
(and this is a noncirculating collection!).  But the biggest issues 
are the problems with accessing the files.  Most of the time, CDs 
produced by "amateurs" are created on non-standard or outdated 
software that we do not have.
	If you are going to accept these types of materials, though, 
GEDCOM is a good file type.  It is to genealogy programs as .TXT 
files are to word-processing programs:  they can be opened by most 
software of that genre.  I don't know if GEDCOM has gone through 
different versions, like Microsoft Word etc. has, but GEDCOM files 
are the closest thing the genealogy world has to a universally 
compatible file type.
	We purchased FamilyTreeMaker for our patrons to use on our 
computers, and it will open GEDCOM files and save things in this 
format if asked.  FamilyTreeMaker is now put out by Ancestry, and it 
has generally been well supported and liked.  It's the program I've 
been using at home for more than 10 years (every couple of years I 
buy a newer edition), and I've found it to be an excellent program. 
There are others out there, though.  Do keep your computer operating 
system in mind, too--FTM won't work on Macs, e.g.
Best wishes,
Libby Feil

>Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2008 10:53:42 -0400
>From: Jane <jdouma at gmail.com>
>Subject: [Genealib] GEDCOM in the Library
>
>We recently received a manuscript collection (handed over across the
>reference desk) including a cd with a GEDCOM file. Does anyone have similar
>disks and how do you handle reading and maintaining them?  As it stands, we
>do not have any genealogy programs on the Library computers.  If we add a
>program somewhere and transfer the file, which would be best (easiest to use
>and update as time goes by)?
>On a related note -- has the GEDCOM file type changed over the years?  Or
>are we ok keeping the data as a gedcom??
>
>Thanks for any ideas.
>
>Jane Pearson

-- 

Elizabeth "Libby" Feil, Librarian
MA, MLS
Manager, Local & Family History Services
St. Joseph County Public Library
304 So. Main Street
South Bend, IN  46601

574-282-4621
l.feil at sjcpl.org
AIM:  sjcpllibby
http://www.libraryforlife.org/localhistory/
To subscribe to our monthly Local & Family History
e-newsletter, email me at l.feil at sjcpl.org


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