How do I make GEDCOM file my main tree?
Hello,
I have created a beautiful tree in MacFamily Tree program and I wanted to upload it on your website so I can collaborate with other users. To do that I have created GEDCOM file from Mac computer and uploaded it onto your website, which now sits in ‘search’, ‘Genealogy’, ‘what is genealogy’. So my question is how do I make it my main tree so I and others can see it?
Best Answer
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316 people is a reasonable size GEDCOM file to deal with in my opinion. Problems occur when people want to add GEDCOMS of several thousand people to Family Tree. There is also a much higher possibility that you truly are adding 316 new, unique people to Family Tree than if you were adding 31,600.
Keep in mind, that adding the file will not make it any kind of main tree for you. You will still begin with you in Family Tree. You are not creating a new tree in Family Tree. You are dumping your little bucket of names into the 1.3 billion person ocean of Family Tree. They will blend into the depths and be accessible for everyone in the world to collaborate on.
In order to add these new people and their relationships to Family Tree, go to Search then Genealogies, scroll down that page until you see the Submit Your Tree button. which is where you first submitted your GEDCOM.
It sounds counter intuitive, and is, but click on it and you will now see the uploaded file and towards the right see a Compare link:
Clicking Compare will start a routine where you will be presented with possible duplicates of each of your 316 people, to confirm which are correct duplicates and which are not, and to add people from your file that are not already in Family Tree. I don't think you need to do this all at once but can work through it as you have time. When you are finished, Compare will change to View.
The process is a bit clunky and doesn't always find all duplicates. Occasionally you can lose family relationships and have to fix them in Family Tree afterwards. So there can be some clean up work after this import.
Your original GEDCOM will stay untouched and searchable under Genealogies forever unless you delete it and people can view it there. The import to Family Tree will be searchable there and anyone with additional information or corrections or who has family that links into it, or photos of those people to upload that you have never seen, can make your import even better.
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Answers
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Agata
Welcome to the "Community.FamilySearch" Forum.
I am just another 'lowly' User/Patron ...
Short Answer: Please DO NOT ...
FIRSTLY ...
Just so that you are aware ...
Here an old 'standby' of mine, that I have previously proffered on occasion ...
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Most new (and, some old) Users/Patrons DO NOT understand the basic 'nature' and 'premise' of "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch', when they join in.
Please let me explain ...
We do not have our OWN "Tree" in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.
We ONLY have "Branches" (ie. Ancestral" lines), that are interconnected, in this SINGLE "One" World "Tree", for all of us, that is "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.
"Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch' is NOT like 'On-Line' "Websites" (eg. "Ancestry_com"; or "MyHeritage_com"; or, the like); and/or, 'standalone' personal (computer) programmes (eg, the OLD, now no longer supported, "PAF"; or, "Ancestral Quest"; or, the like).
We DO NOT have "Private"/"Personal" 'Trees' in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch' like other 'On-Line' "Websites"; and/or, 'standalone' personal (computer) programmes.
We do not even, own; or, manage; and, are NOT even responsible for, the "Deceased" individuals/persons in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.
And, most importantly ...
We DO NOT even, own; or, manage; and, are NOT even responsible for, Our OWN "Deceased" Ancestors/Family/Relatives in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.
"Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch' is built on a "Open Edit" Platform - hence, why any registered User/Patron can "Edit" (ie. Add, Delete; and/or, Change) ANY "Deceased" individual/person in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.
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In other words ...
"Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch' is a "Collaborative" effort by us all ...
There is NO, "My" 'Tree'; or, "Your" 'Tree' ... in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch' ...
We ONLY have "Branches" (ie. Ancestral" lines), that are interconnected, in this SINGLE "One" World "Tree", that is "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.
Now ...
That Said ...
SECONDLY ...
As I always 'say', to those User/Patrons, who mention the "Uploading" of a GEDCOM File, into "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch' ...
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You can; but ...
Please DO NOT Upload a GEDCOM File into "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.
Upload the GEDCOM Files in the "Genealogies" Part of 'FamilySearch', that is fine; but, please NOT into "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.
Some of the reasons that Users/Patrons (like myself) DO NOT want the ability to upload a GEDCOM File into "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch' are:
(1) It is most likely that individuals/persons in a GEDCOM File are ALREADY in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'; and, most Users/Patrons DO NOT even take the time to look to see if any one in their GEDCOM File is already in "Family Tree", in some instances, negating the need to even upload the GEDCOM File.
(2) There has been (many) cases where Users/Patrons, using the "Compare" process (of the upload) have "Dismissed" a "Possible" Match with an individual/person already in "Family Tree"; so that, their "Record", from their GEDCOM File, is loaded into "Family Tree", regardless; just so that, their "Record" appears in "Family Tree" (and, in some instances, for Members of the Church, so they can do the "Temple" Work, despite the fact that the "Temple" Work is ALREADY done with the "Possible" Match with the individual/person already in "Family Tree").
(3) Even with the "Compare" process (of the upload), there has been (many) cases where Users/Patrons have uploaded THEIR version of an individual/person in their GEDCOM File, on top of (ie. Over) an individual/person ALREADY in "Family Tree" of "FamilySearch" that has been there for MANY years and is well documented and "Sources" - in many instances obliterating all of the documentation and "Sources".
(4) If an individual/person is ALREADY in "Family Tree" of "FamilySearch", there is NO need to up uploaded one's version of an individual/person from one's own GEDCOM File - just take note of the the 'FamilySearch Person Identifier' (PID) of the individual/person that is ALREADY in "Family Tree"; and, one can go back later to ensure what information/detail is recorded and attached for that individual/person. Just DO NOT uploaded one's version of an individual/person in their GEDCOM File, on top of (ie. Over) an individual/person ALREADY in "Family Tree" - obliterating all of the documentation and "Sources" ALREADY in place/on record.
(5) The "Hours" (sometimes "Days"; or, even, "Weekes") of work, by other Users/Patrons, that can be needed to CORRECT the DAMAGE done by the upload of a GEDCOM File can be disheartening.
I am sorry ... 'off my soap box' ...
Enter (ie. 'Create') the individuals/persons in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch' one at a time - on a one by one basis.
Many of the individuals/persons in a GEDCOM File, most probably, ALREADY exist in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.
Only one or two generations of the "Living" individuals/persons; and, perhaps, maybe, only one or two generations of the "Deceased" individuals/persons, may be required to be entered/input into "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch"; BEFORE, some of the "Deceased" individuals/persons, from one's Ancestral Lines, ALREADY existing in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch', are discovered.
Use the "Find" facility/function/feature to Search "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch', one may be surprised to find some (if not, many) of them already there.
Many well established and documented (eg. "Sourced") individuals/person in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch' have been RUINED, by the upload, a GEDCOM File, into "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.
I hope this puts things into perspective.
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Like many, I really wish 'FamilySearch' would just STOP allowing the "Upload" of GEDCOM Files into "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch' altogether.
There is just NO need to "Upload" of GEDCOM Files into "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch', under ANY circumstance; even, if one's "Ancestral" Lines are NOT already in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.
What you have done with your GEDCOM File, loading such into the "Genealogies" Part. of 'FamilySearch', is the BEST thing for GEDCOM Files- they should go NO further.
In the "Genealogies" Part, of 'FamilySearch', the GEDCOM Files can be, 'found'; and, 'seen', by Other "Registered" Users/Patrons, of 'FamilySearch'; and, used for, information; and, research purposes.
Whereas, GEDCOM Files, are the 'scourge', to "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch' ...
So ...
Again ...
Please DO NOT Upload a GEDCOM File into "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch' ... there is no need ...
I know that this may not help; but, I hope that this gives you some more, insight; and, perspective.
Brett
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Hey Brett,
I tried to type manually to see if I would be linked to someone but one part of the branch did not show whatsoever, I am just thinking that would take so long to retype everyone and I have 316 people in the tree I have created. That would take ages to to input all the info again. Taking what you said into account I will not be uploading my file into family tree and shall delete the file.
Agata P
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Agata
NO; No; no ...
There is NO need, to "Delete"/"Remove" your GEDCOM File, from the "Genealogies" Part, of 'FamilySearch'.
The "Genealogies" Part, of 'FamilySearch' is the BEST place for GEDCOM Files.
In the "Genealogies" Part, of 'FamilySearch', those individual 'Trees' (ie. GEDCOM Files) can be 'seen' by Other Users/Patrons; and, become a great resource; and, a wealth of (possible) information, for research purposes.
It is just that most new Users/Patrons DO NOT understand the basic 'nature' and 'premise' of, the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch'; being, a SINGLE "One" World "Tree"; where, we ONLY have "Branches" (ie. Ancestral" lines), that are interconnected, when they join in - where we "Collaborate" together.
Now ...
That Said ...
DO NOT give up ...
You may be surprised ...
It may not take as long as you think ...
[ Believe me, x316 is NOT many ... ]
You may ONLY need to add (ie. Create/Enter) one or two generations of the "Living" individuals/persons; and, perhaps, maybe, only one or two generations of the "Deceased" individuals/persons, from your "Ancestral" Lines, into "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch"; BEFORE, you find some of the "Deceased" individuals/persons, from your "Ancestral" Lines, ALREADY existing in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch', are discovered.
Use the "Find" facility/function/feature, to search, "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch', you may be surprised to find some (if not, many) of your Ancestors ALRAEDY there, in "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch'.
Remember, "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch', is a collaborative effort.
I did what you 'scare' you away ...
I just want you to be aware, of the possible 'Damage', that the "Uploading", of GEDOM Files, into "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch', can do.
When "Uploading" a GEDOM Files, into "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch', one must "Compare", ALL the individuals/persons, in one's GEDCOM File, against the individuals/person ALEADY in "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch'.
IF, an individual/person, from one's GEDCOM File, is ALREADY in "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch'; THEN, there is NO need to upload that particular individual/person, from one's GEDCOM File; and, one can just ACCEPT, the individual/person ALREADY in "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch'; as, being, party of one's "Ancestral" Lines.
Of course, ANY of the "Deceased" individuals/persons, from one's GEDCOM File, that are NOT already in "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch', CAN (and, SHOULD) be "Uploaded" in "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch'.
It is just that MANY User/Patron DO NOT use the "Compare" Process properly.
Again, I did what you 'scare' you away, I just want you to be aware; and, cautious ...
Brett
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Agata --
I would follow the advice of uploading your GEDCOM to the genealogies part of FamilySearch. However, because of the reasons already mentioned, your GEDCOM would remain only a research resource for creating your family tree in FamilySearch.
I have experienced several patrons who are somehow uploading/transferring their similar GEDCOM files to FamilySearch, and this often creates many duplicates and errors which someone has to merge and clean up. This is one of the main reasons why your GEDCOM should not be loaded into the family tree portion.
Additionally, I will reaffirm that once you enter in your basic family tree information into FamilySearch, you may find that large portions of your deceased family have already been entered -- and then you are simply connecting to those deceased lines. For the lines that have not been entered, you would use your MacFamily Tree as the baseline research data to enter into FamilySearch. As you do so, FamilySearch might automatically provide you sources to attach -- such as birth/death records.
Congratulations on all your work. You have given tremendous service.
Terra
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Nice instructions @Gordon Collett
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