Can I import a GEDCOM file from an existing family tree I have already built?

SueStoker · October 29, 2021

Can I import a GEDCOM file from an existing family tree that I have already built?

genthusiast · October 29, 2021

Yes, just be careful to not replace any currently better sourced individuals in the Tree. Maybe just add your tree to the Genealogies - that should be sufficient.

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/import/

Brett . · October 29, 2021

@SueStoker

Sue

Welcome to the "Community.FamilySearch" Forum.

I am just another 'lowly' User/Patron ...

Scenario:

▬ You have created, a GEDCOM File, from ANOTHER 'On-Line' Website; or, a 'Standalone' Programmre.

▬ You would like, to "Upload", that GEDCOM File, in 'FamilySearch'

Question: Is that correct?

Please advise.

Short Answer: 'Yes', you can, into the "Genealogies" Part, of 'FamilySearch', that is fine.

But ...

Please DO NOT "Upload", a GEDCOM File, into the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch'.

Just so that you are aware ...

Here an old 'standby' of mine, that I have previously proffered on occasion ...

------------------

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'.

------------------

I hope that this gives you some, insight; and, perspective.

Again ...

Certainly, "Upload", a GEDCOME File, into the "Genealogies" Part, of 'FamilySearch', that is fine.

But ...

Please DO NOT "Upload", a GEDCOM File, into the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch'.

Brett

Brett . · October 29, 2021

@SueStoker

Sue

Furthermore ...

There is just NO need, to "Upload", a GEDCOM File, into the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch' under ANY circumstance; even, if one's "Ancestral" Lines are NOT already in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.

As I always 'say', to User/Patrons, who mention the "Upload" of 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.

------------------

There are, MANY; Many; many, Users/Patrons (like myself), that really wish, 'FamilySearch' would just STOP allowing, the "Upload", of GEDCOM Files, into the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch' altogether.

I know that this may not help; but, I certainly hope that this provides you with even more, insight; and, perspective.

Brett

Brett . · October 29, 2021

@SueStoker

Sue

Now ...

All That Said ...

"Uploading", a GEDCOME File, into the "Genealogies" Part, of 'FamilySearch' ...

Just so that you are aware ...

The "Genealogies" Part, of 'FamilySearch', is were Users/Patrons, place "Copies" of their PERSONAL Pedigrees (ie. 'Trees'), that are in, an 'As Is' Format; where, they are 'Static', that being, that they CANNOT be "Changed" - they "Remain" in their ORIGINALLY "Uploaded" state.

These PERSONAL Pedigrees (ie. 'Trees') are for, information; and, research purposes ONLY.

These PERSONAL Pedigrees (ie. 'Trees') ONLY contain "Deceased" individuals/persons.

For the reason of "Privacy", the "Living" individuals/persons, in a GEDCOM File, will NOT be "Uploaded" into 'FamilySearch' during ANY Process.

Now ...

Further to what 'genthusiast' has already proffered ...

The "Genealogies" Part, of 'FamilySearch', is found under "Search", on the TOP Line Menu, on the 'Drop Down' Menu, about half way down, under "Genealogies"; Titled: "Search Genealogies"

More directly: https://www.familysearch.org/search/family-trees

And ...

The place to "Upload", a GEDCOM File, is found on the 'Right-Hand-Side' of that page/screen, on the 'Third' Column, under "Upload Your Family Tree to FamilySearch Genealogies", at the 'Button'/'Link'; being: "Submit Your Tree".

When that "Submit Your Tree" is selected, that go to the next page/screen; Titles: "Upload Your Tree".

More directly: https://www.familysearch.org/tree/import/files

There on that page/screen, a GEDCOM File, can be "Uploaded", into the "Genealogies" Part, of 'FamilySearch'.

ALSO on that page/screen, on the 'Bottom' half of the page/screen, is a List, of any GEDCOM Files, currently "Uploaded", into the "Genealogies" Part, of 'FamilySearch', by the User/Patron (ie. You).

I hope this helps.

Good Luck.

Brett