Definition: GEDCOM is a standard file format for exchanging information between genealogy programs. The acronym GEDCOM stands for GEnealogical Data COMmunications. The Family History Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) developed the GEDCOM standard. You can use GEDCOM to transfer information into Family Tree Maker from another genealogy program that supports GEDCOM and vice versa. By using GEDCOM, you can avoid retyping all of your family information when you switch from one program to another. Genealogy Software: Family Tree Maker is #1 best-selling software. Personally, this is the only software program I have used. I have used it since version 2.0 (ver. 7 just came out). The extras a person could buy, but doesn't have to: CD's of transcribed books, census records, passenger lists, family tree's donated by others, etc. You can try before you buy Family Tree Maker at http://www.familytreemaker.com/trial.html I think it's best to try and decide for yourself. I've viewed a couple other programs and thought they were too "techie". I prefer the program to keep the programming in the background. Phyllis Haynen -- E-Mail: phaynen@gte.net Winnipeg District, Manitoba CanGenWeb http://www.rootsweb.com/~mbwinnip/ County Down, Ireland GenWeb http://www.rootsweb.com/~nirdow/ Phyllis' Family Genealogy http://home1.gte.net/phaynen/tree.htm Maralyn A. Wellauer wrote: > > Recent discussions among professional seems to indicate most favor the > Ultimate Family Tree and The Master Genealogist, in that order. FTM is a > disappointment to many. You have to buy so many extras. > > Sincerely, > > Maralyn A. Wellauer > -----Original Message----- > From: ZBRWGO@aol.com <ZBRWGO@aol.com> > To: CAN-MB-WINNIPEG-L@rootsweb.com <CAN-MB-WINNIPEG-L@rootsweb.com> > Date: Friday, October 15, 1999 12:50 PM > Subject: [CAN-MB-WINNIPEG-L] GEDCOM??? > > >Dear Fulton, Blair, and Winnipeg friends, > >Being fairly new to genealogy I hear words now and then that I don't know. > I > >am getting ready to purchase genealogy software and have been comparing > >products. The word "GEDCOM" keeps showing up- what does it mean??? > >Also I would be interested in your opinions on the various software > products. > > > >Though I have only been at this a year or so I can honestly say that I am > >hooked > >(something my husband, children, friends and family will attest to!!!) > >I would like to have software that allows for not only my genealogy needs > but > >enables me to do some work on the genealogy of others. > >Let me know what your experience has been and which products you recommend. > >I am looking at: FAMILY TREE MAKER and THE MASTER GENEALOGIST by Wholly > >Genes Software. What do you think? > >Best Regards, > >Roberta in Vancouver, WA > > > > > >==== CAN-MB-WINNIPEG Mailing List ==== > >Visit the Manitoba GenWeb Project > >http://www.rootsweb.com/~canmb/ > > > > ==== CAN-MB-WINNIPEG Mailing List ==== > Free Webspace at RootsWeb > http://cgi.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/acctform.cgi?op=show&page=freagree.htm > Create your Genealogy Website!