Importing Gedcom files from this site

It is possible to download GEDCOM files from webtrees.greylingfamily.org.za by using the clippings cart menu item.

GEDCOM files are text files that contain the information and linkages necessary to exchange genealogical data between two entities. The entities may use the same or different software application.

Examples of these exchanges would include:

• Between two users of the same application - One family member sending new information from Legacy to another family member using Legacy.
• Between users of differing applications - A RootsMagic or Heredis genealogist receiving information from someone using Family Tree Maker.
• From an Internet site to a local application - Downloading information from an internet site to your genealogical program which supports GEDCOM formatted files.

As a text-based file, it is easily transmitted as an attachment to e-mails or downloaded from web sites. The recipient then uses the “Import” function of their application to include the GEDCOM file contents in their genealogy. Also, applications may be found on the web to print or manipulate individual GEDCOM files without importing them into applications.

We use the program Heredis to enter and manage the data on this site. A GEDCOM file exported from Heredis is imported into the family trees on the site.

Unfortunately Heredis does not produce GEDCOM files that fully comply to the GEDCOM standards. We try to clean up the files before they are used on the site but you may still get errors when you download a GEDCOM file and import it to your Genealogy program.

To prevent errors you can edit the GEDCOM file and remove the non standard tags or change them to standard tags.

Non standard GEDCOM tags from Heredis

_ARCH = Archiving the Source
_CLS = Person without descendants
_EVID = Quality of the proof
_FIL = Child Status
_FNF = Father not find, untraceable (from Heredis 2021)
_FNA = Search Status of an event
_FSFTID = FamilySearch Identification Number
_INFO = Quality of the information
_MNF = Mother not find, untraceable (from Heredis 2021)
_PRIM = Defined if the media is primary
_QUAL = Quality of completed citations
_SEC = Secondary person
_SHAR = Link for shared events
_SOUR = Quality of the source
_SUBMAP = Geolocation of subdivisions
_ULS = Unmarried person
_UST = Union type

This is not a complete list, any tag starting with a _ is a non standard tag. Sometime Heredis also generates non standard tags without an _ like WWW, EMAIL, HEAL.

Value Y not properly assigned to tags

The following tags should be changed to be standard

1 BIRT > 1 BIRT Y
1 DEAT > 1 DEAT Y
1 MARR > 1 MARR Y
1 MARC > 1 MARC Y
1 DIV > 1 DIV Y
1 CHR > 1 CHR Y
1 … > 1 … Y

Sources:
Heredis Knowledge Base
Gramps
Family Search