75 votes
GED File - What is a .ged file and how do I open it?
Learn about .GED files and view a list of programs that open them.
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Overview
What is a GED file? A GED file is a data file saved in the GEnealogical Data COMmunications (GEDCOM) format that contains records of family history and genealogical events, along with metadata linking the records. It often includes information about births, deaths, marriages, parent-child relationships, and other family connections.
More Information GED file open in MyHeritage Family Tree Builder 8 The GEDCOM format was developed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (The LDS Church) in the 1980s to provide a standard way for genealogical researchers to save and exchange family data. Since its initial release, the format has undergone several revisions, with version 5.5.1 (released in 1999) being the most widely used. In 2021, FamilySearch released GEDCOM 7.0, adding support for new data structures and features. GED files may be used by both casual and professional genealogists. Casual users often document their own family history, while professional researchers may use the format to manage larger genealogical databases for academic or archival purposes. NOTE: GED files may also be saved with the .GEDCOM extension.
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DeveloperGame Editor
Popularity2.9 | 14 Votes
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.GED File Extension
2 file types use the .ged file extension.
GEDCOM Genealogy Data File
| Developer | The LDS Church |
| Popularity |
3.2 | 75 Votes |
What is a GED file?
A GED file is a data file saved in the GEnealogical Data COMmunications (GEDCOM) format that contains records of family history and genealogical events, along with metadata linking the records. It often includes information about births, deaths, marriages, parent-child relationships, and other family connections.
More Information
GED file open in MyHeritage Family Tree Builder 8
The GEDCOM format was developed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (The LDS Church) in the 1980s to provide a standard way for genealogical researchers to save and exchange family data. Since its initial release, the format has undergone several revisions, with version 5.5.1 (released in 1999) being the most widely used. In 2021, FamilySearch released GEDCOM 7.0, adding support for new data structures and features.
GED files may be used by both casual and professional genealogists. Casual users often document their own family history, while professional researchers may use the format to manage larger genealogical databases for academic or archival purposes.
NOTE: GED files may also be saved with the .GEDCOM extension.
How to open a GED file
You can open GED files with various genealogy applications, including RootsMagic, MyHeritage Family Tree Builder, and GeneWeb. You can also upload GEDCOM files to the Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org websites.
Since GED files are saved in a text format, you can open them with a plain text editor, such as Microsoft Notepad or Apple TextEdit , and edit them. Keep in mind that opening GED files with a text editor will not display the information in the same structure as if they were displayed in a genealogical application.
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Programs that open GED files
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Platform
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GeneWeb
Free
Gramps
Free
Ancestris
Free
Windows
Ages!
Free Trial
MyHeritage Family Tree Builder
Free
RootsMagic
Free Trial
RootsMagic Essentials
Free
Ancestral Author
Free
Thoughtful Creations Genbox Family History
Free Trial
LifeLines
Free
Behold
Free Trial
Nevron Software MyDraw
Free Trial
FamilySearch Personal Ancestral File
Free
Any text editor
Mac
GEDitCOM
Free Trial
MyHeritage Family Tree Builder
Free
RootsMagic
Free Trial
RootsMagic Essentials
Free
Ancestral Author
Free
Leister Productions Reunion
Paid
Nevron Software MyDraw
Free Trial
Any text editor
Linux
LifeLines
Free
Any text editor
Web
Ancestry.com
Free Trial
FamilySearch.org
Free
Category: Data Files
Updated: March 17, 2026
Game Editor Project File
| Developer | Game Editor |
| Popularity |
2.9 | 14 Votes |
Game development project created with Game Editor, a cross-platform game creation program; includes game data and settings; saved along with a game folder that contains the game resources.
More Information
Game Editor can be used to develop games for Windows 95, 98, Me, NT, 2000, 2003, XP, and Vista, as well as Pocket PC, Linux, and Windows Mobile-based operating systems.
Programs that open GED files
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Game Editor or Game Editor Professional
Linux
Game Editor
Category: Developer Files
Updated: January 9, 2008