RootsMagic can export data to a GEDCOM file which can be used by other systems.

 

To create a GEDCOM file:

 

1.With the database containing the information you want to export open, select the Files page, then Export Data, then GEDCOM File

2.Select the location for the new GEDCOM file from the Default Folder, Recent Folders, or by clicking Browse for Destination and selecting a folder manually

3.Enter the name of the GEDCOM file you wish to create

 

RootsMagic will display the following options for creating the new file

 

 

Choose from the following options on the GEDCOM Export dialog:

 

•People to export – You can choose to export the entire database, a selected list of people, or a named group of people. If you choose "Select from list", RootsMagic will open the "Select people" screen to let you to select the people to export by marking the checkbox preceding the desired individuals. When you choose one or more people and click OK to close the dialog, the people button beside the field changes from gray tones to color. You can re-open the "Select People" screen by clicking on this color button to change your selection.

•Data to export – Mark the check boxes of the information you want to export: notes, sources, LDS information, addresses, tasks, multimedia links, note formatting (bold, etc.), and extra details (RootsMagic specific tags).

•Privacy options – If you want to privatize your GEDCOM file, you can choose:

oPrivatize living people – You can choose to restrict the names and fact data you include:

▪Names – You can choose to export the full name, or substitute the word "Living" for the names of living people.

▪Facts – You can choose to export the entire fact, no facts, or partial facts for each person.

oInclude private facts – You can choose to export the facts that are marked "Private".

oInclude {private} notes – You can choose to export the private parts of notes enclosed within the { } brackets.

oStrip { } brackets from private notes – If you chose to include private notes, you can choose to remove the { } brackets as well.

oClick OK to create the GEDCOM file.

Check the file before sharing

Export creates a separate file; it does not remove people from your RootsMagic database. A GEDCOM is an exchange format, so the receiving program may interpret program-specific facts, shared facts, formatting, and attachments differently.

Review the selected people and privacy choices together. The Living flag and private-note brackets only help when the corresponding export options are set appropriately. Check names, notes, addresses, and descriptions for information you do not intend to share.

Multimedia links identify files; they do not package the image or document files into the GEDCOM. Arrange to transfer permitted media separately if the recipient needs it.

For a transfer that matters, import the exported file into a separate test tree or have the recipient check a few representative families, citations, notes, and media links. Keep a RootsMagic backup for recovery of your working database.