3 Genealogical structures

This chapter describes a set of structure types for exchanging family-based lineage-linked genealogical information. Lineage-linked data pertains to individuals linked in family relationships across multiple generations.

The genealogical structures defined in this chapter are based on the general framework of the container format and data types defined in Chapters 1 and 2.

Historically, these genealogical structures were used as the only form approved for exchanging data with Ancestral File, TempleReady and other Family History resource files. Those systems were all replaced between 1999 and 2019, and GEDCOM-X was introduced as the new syntax for communication with their replacements. FamilySearch GEDCOM 7.0 and GEDCOM-X have similar expressive power, but as of 2021 GEDCOM is more common for exchanging single-researcher files between applications and GEDCOM-X is more common for transferring bulk data and communication directly between applications.

The basic description of the genealogical structures’ organization is presented in the following 3 major sections:

• “Structure Organization” describes records and other nested structures.
• “Structure Meaning” provides a definition of each structure by its tag.
• “Enumeration Values” provides a definition of each enumeration value by its containing structure.