The Specifications
The GEDCOM X specification set is comprised of the following specifications, some of which build on others. The formal specifications are maintained in a version-controlled and access-controlled repository.
Core Specifications
- The GEDCOM X Date Format
- The GEDCOM X Conceptual Model
- The GEDCOM X XML Serialization Format
- The GEDCOM X JSON Serialization Format
- The GEDCOM X Standard Header Set
- The GEDCOM X File Format
- GEDCOM X Event Types
- GEDCOM X Fact Types
- GEDCOM X Name Part Qualifiers
Record Specifications
Web Service Specifications
Core Specifications
The GEDCOM X Date Format
The GEDCOM X date format specifies a mechanism for representing dates, with specific attention given to the need to represent genealogical dates.
The GEDCOM X Conceptual Model
The GEDCOM X conceptual model is a specification of formal concepts and data types that are used to model genealogical data. Genealogical data is represented using data types such as persons, relationships, and sources.
The GEDCOM X XML Serialization Format
The GEDCOM X XML Serialization Format is a specification that defines the way that the GEDCOM X Conceptual Model is serialized to and deserialized from XML.
The GEDCOM X JSON Serialization Format
The GEDCOM X JSON Serialization Format is a specification that defines the way that the GEDCOM X Conceptual Model is serialized to and deserialized from JSON.
The GEDCOM X Standard Header Set
When processing a set of genealogical resources, it is often useful to process metadata for the resource before processing it. Examples of this kind of metadata include:
- The data format for the resource.
- Caching directives such as the last modified timestamp or version.
- Identifiers for the resource.
- Bibliographic metadata, such as a bibliographic citation.
- Display names or titles.
The GEDCOM X Standard Header Set specifies the set of metadata terms that are recognized for genealogical resources and the mechanism for providing that metadata.
The GEDCOM X Standard Header Set
The GEDCOM X File Format
A GEDCOM X file is a bundle of digital genealogical resources, such as data that has been gathered through the genealogical research process about persons, relationships, sources, images, etc. The GEDCOM X File Format defines a mechanism to bundle all of these resources into a single file and defines a mechanism whereby each resource within the bundle may refer to other resources within the same file.
GEDCOM X Event Types
The GEDCOM X Event Types specification provides a set of enumerated values that identify common event types that are relevant to genealogical research.
GEDCOM X Fact Types
The GEDCOM X Fact Types specification provides a set of enumerated values that identify common fact types that are relevant to genealogical research.
GEDCOM X Name Part Qualifiers
The GEDCOM X Name Part Qualifiers specification provides a set of enumerated values that identify common qualifiers of name parts that are relevant to genealogical research.
Record Specifications
GEDCOM X Record Extensions
The GEDCOM X Record Extensions specification provides a set of extensions to GEDCOM X for providing a mechanism to exchange field-based genealogical record data.
GEDCOM X Field Types
The GEDCOM X Field Types specification enumerates a set of field types for use in exchanging field-based genealogical record data.
Web Service Specifications
GEDCOM X Atom Extensions
The GEDCOM X Atom Extensions specification specifies a set of genealogical data extensions to RFC 4287, The Atom Syndication Format.
GEDCOM X RS
The GEDCOM X RS specification defines a standard interface for a genealogical data application on the World Wide Web.