PAF
I created my family tree using PAF back in the 1990's and want to bring it all over to Family Search. How do I do this?
Answers
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@JoanneMcShane1 - one possible way would be to create a GEDCOM file - if you still are using the PAF software – it may allow you to create this. You could then import the GEDCOM file into FamilySearch and follow this article How do I copy information from my GEDCOM file into Family Tree? on how to add your information to Family Tree – this can be a long process depending on the number of records in your tree.
Another option maybe to use a partner product such as Ancestral Quest from our Solutions Gallery to read your PAF file and perhaps, to quote information from a partner, ‘Share data with FamilySearch Family Tree, including sending your data to FamilySearch Family Tree’. https://www.ancquest.com/aqpaf.htm
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Thank you, I will try these solutions
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@JoanneMcShane1 , have you checked FSFT to see how much of your PAF is already in the Tree?
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I have checked and although I know a lot of it must be there I couldn't find it. Then I uploaded my whole tree - 21,000 names, went back and did a check and nothing is there - not even me!
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Joanne
Welcome to the "Community.FamilySearch" Forum.
I am just another 'lowly User/Patron ...
It sound like, that you may have "Uploaded", your GEDOM File, into the "Genealogies" Part of 'FamilySearch'.
IF, that is the case; THEN, you will find your GEDOM File, into the "Genealogies" Part of 'FamilySearch'.
Here is the link, to the "Genealogies" Part of 'FamilySearch'; where, you should find your GEDCOM File, that you "Uploaded", under "My Uploaded Trees".
https://www.familysearch.org/tree/import/files
I hope this helps.
Please check.
Question:
Did you find, your GEDCOM File, in the "Genealogies" Part of 'FamilySearch', under "My Uploaded Trees".
Please advise
Now ...
That Said ...
Before, I add any more information.
During the ORIGINAL "Upload" process, when you "Uploaded" your GEDCOM File, into 'FamilySearch'
Question:
DID you proceed, any further, to the NEXT "Step"/Phase", in the process?
Please advise.
Brett
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Hi Joanne
If you have uploaded the GEDCOM and it has been successful you should as Brett suggested, be able to find it by following that link he provided - however, at that stage the file will have gone into the Pedigree Resource file in FamilySearch where it will remain safe. To get it into Family Tree involves a review and compare process explained in the initial link I provided and this can be, considering the number of records you mention a long process as they have to be compared one at a time.
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I still can't find my tree. Some of the names are there but no tree. My name is there but not my parents of spouse. It just hasn't worked at all.
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Joanne
Question: When you say you CANNOT find Your 'Tree", where are you looking?
▬ the "Genealogies" Part, of 'FamilySearch'; or.
▬ "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch'.
Please advise.
As, that is the important question.
And ...
By the way ...
Just so that you are aware ...
NONE of the "Living" individuals/persons, in your GEDCOME File, will be 'Transferred', into ANY part, of 'FamilySearch'.
As such ...
IF, your Parents; and, Spouse, are STILL "Living"; THEN, they will NOT be 'Transferred", from your GEDCOM File, into ANY part, of 'FamilySearch'.
Again ...
Please confirm where you are 'looking':
▬ the "Genealogies" Part, of 'FamilySearch'; or.
▬ "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch'.
Brett
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This is the screen I get when I log into Family Search
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Joanne
That is just the "Home"/"Landing" page/screen for 'FamilySearch'
You NEED to go further ...
There are TWO (x2) parts to this ...
FIRSTLY ...
For starters ...
When you are "Signed Into" 'FamilySearch':
Select this link: https://www.familysearch.org/tree/import/files
or,
IF, that does not work; THEN,
▬ Select "Search"; and, on the 'Drop Down" list, select "Genealogies"
▬ When that page/screen appears, go downwards; and, on the 'right-hand-side", go to "Submit Your Tree".
▬ Select "Submit Your Tree".
That takes ALSO you to the "My Uploaded Trees".
Question: Is your GEDCOM File listed there?
Hopefully, it is.
Please advise.
SECONDLY ...
Now, to 'see', if you "Uploaded", your GEDCOM File, into "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch' ...
When you are "Signed Into" 'FamilySearch':
▬ Select "Family Tree" on the TOP Line Menu ...
▬ From the 'Drop Down' Menu, select "Tree" ...
That should show you a "Pedigree" View of your "Ancestral" Line.
[ Most likely, in "Landscape" Mode ... ]
Question: Do you 'see' your "Ancestral" Line?
Hopefully, it is.
Please advise.
Brett
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My name is there but no other
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Hi Joanne
I have sent a direct message to you to hopefully assist further.
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Joanne
OK ...
But, where?
▬ the "Genealogies" Part, of 'FamilySearch'; or.
▬ "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch'.
Lets try this ...
Please confirm, whether or not, GECOM File, appears in the "Genealogies" Part, of 'FamilySearch'.
ie. https://www.familysearch.org/tree/import/files under "My Uploaded Trees".
Please advise?
Brett
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Hi guys,
I have deleted the file. Too much trouble.
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Joanne
OK ...
As such ...
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'.
"Upload" of GEDCOM Files, into the "Genealogies" Part. of 'FamilySearch', is just fine; and, the BEST place (ie, 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 the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch' ...
So ...
Again ...
Please DO NOT Upload a GEDCOM File into the "Family Tree" Part 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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Thanks to Brett for some well thought out comments - leaving the file in the Pedigree Resource file does allow it to be backed up and kept and it can be searched there for information and details, also it cannot be tampered with by others.
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Brett, I'm still trying to get my head around Family Search, but it seems that anyone can edit anyone else's file. I understand this avoids the online proliferation of different versions of a person's profile, but who is to decide which version is the correct one? I'd prefer my own version.
Note that GEDCOM was developed by the LDS Church, and seems to have served well.
I wish the LDS had not abandoned their Personal Ancestry File program. It served me well for many years - and still does. The program still works on my Windows 11 PC, but the PAF Companion does not. "PAF-compatible" off-line programs exist but I have not tried them.
Perhaps the answer lies with whether you trust your family records to be held online, on prefer them on you computer. I'll stick with PAF for now.
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As far as understanding Family Tree, it is important to have the right perspective of the site. We do not have files here. We do not have our family records here. There is just Family Tree to which we contribute information. After we make that contribution, it is no longer ours. It is just part of the general tree that we are all working on together.
Sometimes when working in Family Tree we are working on our own relatives. Sometimes we are working on people to whom we have no established relationship yet to clarify and improve information for the general benefit of the tree.
Who decides what information should be on a profile? Ideally this is not determined by one person but by general consensus based on accurate sources and accepted best practices. Sometimes this works well when the sources are good, information is clear cut, and people are cooperative, leading to very stable profiles. Sometimes this does not work quite as well when there are no real sources, information is shrouded in centuries of folklore and mythology, and people stubbornly hold to their own private pet theories. For example, Charlemagne has had his name changed 41 times this month (November 2022) alone and his birth place changed 29 times in the same period.
But overall this universal tree has some great advantages with people sharing the effort to create the best tree possible.
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@Denis Campbell, you can do both. Keep your personal copy offline and still contribute to the online Family Tree. Here is a link to the Solutions Gallery. I've been told that Ancestral Quest is the most like the old PAF program. It should be able to read your PAF files. Try the free version and see if that works for you.
Solutions Gallery: https://partners.familysearch.org/solutionsgallery/s/list?platform=windows
AncestralQuest Information: https://partners.familysearch.org/solutionsgallery/s/gallery-profile/a2Rf10000079nO8EAI/00035
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