Importing and exporting GEDCOM
GEDCOM is the file format every genealogy app understands. Use it to bring your family into Family Trees, or to take it anywhere else.
Steps
Get a GEDCOM file
In Ancestry, FamilySearch, MyHeritage or your desktop genealogy program, export your tree as a GEDCOM file (its name ends in .ged). Save it to Files, or email it to yourself.
Open the importer
In Family Trees, tap + at the top of the Album and choose Import GEDCOM file, or press ⌘I on iPad or Mac. It’s in Settings too, under Data. You can also tap a .ged file in Files or Mail and open it in Family Trees.
Choose the file and check it
Tap Choose a GEDCOM file. Family Trees reads it on your device and shows how many people, families and years it holds, with notes about anything it couldn’t use.
Import it as a new tree
Check the Tree name, then tap Import as new tree. An import always makes a new tree, so the family you already have is never changed. Family Trees opens the new tree when it’s done. If some people look like they were entered twice, it first offers to review them, for example Review 3 possible duplicates, or to open the tree straight away.
Export whenever you like
To export, go to the Share tab, find Export your data and tap Export GEDCOM, or in Settings, under Data, tap Export a GEDCOM file. Send the file to Files, Mail, AirDrop or another app. Exporting is free on every plan.
Tips
- Photos aren’t part of GEDCOM, in either direction. Add photos in Family Trees after importing.
- Dates written as before, after, between or about in the file are kept as approximate dates.
- Files larger than 200 MB can’t be imported.
- Importing is part of Plus, and the 7-day trial includes it. After an import, the duplicate finder helps with anyone entered twice; see Finding duplicates.
- Nothing is uploaded: files are read and written on your device.
Still stuck? Email support@familytreesapp.com and a person will reply.