A. It is not feasible for us to accept GEDCOMs due to the problems it creates for the individual FGS Project managers. To accept GEDCOMs, it would mean that each manager would have to own some type of special program that will open a GEDCOM, a special virus program that would scan the GEDCOM for a virus, then a special program to convert the GEDCOM into a FGS. FGS Project state managers are just volunteers who may or may not have the resources to obtain and/or store such programs, so requiring them to have this would result in the loss of valuable workers for the project.

If your genealogy software can create a text-based groupsheet, we can accept it. If your group sheet is text-based, you can easily edit what it says and our search indexer will be able to read it.

If it doesn't and you would like to convert your GEDCOM into group sheets, (it is free and easy to do) you might consider doing this:

To convert GEDCOMs to group sheets:
Download the free version of Legacy. It is a genealogy program that can be found online at: http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/ Just click on the link for Standard version download. Fill out the required registration form and follow the directions. Legacy is a well known, reputable program that will allow you to convert your GEDCOMs into text format group sheets (it is really a full featured genealogy program that actually surpasses what FTM can do, and its use is widely endorsed by LDS) that you can then copy & paste into an email. Once you have Legacy set up, it takes only a coule of minutes to generate a group sheet for each desired family. The following directions are given by Allison Saxman of the Alabama FGS Project.

 1. Open Legacy and import the GEDCOM file.
 2. Click on "Name List" to locate the husband of the FGS that you want to prepare.
 3. Once the right family is on the screen, click on "Reports"; then click on the tab that is marked "Family".
 4. Under "Index Options" select Style 1; then select the One Column option.
 5. Under "Report Options - Include", uncheck everything except "Alternate Given and Surnames" and "Birth & Death Dates On Names"
 6. Under the "Sources" tab, click to include source citations (you may or may not want to do this)
 7. There are other tabs you can click on to further detail your FGS if you wish.
 8. When satisfied with the options you have selected, click on "Close" under Report Options.
 9. On the right side of this menu window, click on "text" (default is set at printer/screen) and then "create".
10. Legacy then asks you for a file name and location to save it on your hard drive. Give the file name (something like JohnDoeFGS), then the location (you will need to create a new folder for your group sheets). Choose "Local Disk (C:), then choose the new folder you made for the group sheets.
11. Legacy then asks if you want to view your text file in your viewer. Say yes.
12. Check to make sure that the FGS looks like you want it to look. If you want to add/delete more information, go back to the Report Options - Include" section of Legacy and make the necessary changes.