Which MIME types are related to file extension ".ged"?
The .ged file extension is associated with 2 MIME types:
application/octet-stream, text/vnd.familysearch.gedcom.
A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.
About .ged Files
GED files are used to store family tree and genealogical data. They follow the GEDCOM standard, a plain text format for sharing family history information.
- Genealogical Records: Store details like births, marriages, deaths, and family relationships.
- Data Exchange: Easily shared between genealogy programs such as Family Tree Maker, Legacy Family Tree, RootsMagic, and Gramps.
- Standard Format: Uses the MIME type text/vnd.familysearch.gedcom to designate the GEDCOM file format.
- Alternate MIME type: Sometimes labeled as application/octet-stream, a generic type often seen with older or less-specific file data.
Relationship between file extension and MIME type
A file extension is a suffix at the end of a filename that indicates what type of file it is. File extensions help both users and operating systems identify what application should be used to open the file.
File extensions are typically separated from the filename by a period (dot) and consist of 2-4 characters, though they can be longer. For example, in the filename "document.pdf", ".pdf" is the file extension.
File extensions are closely related to MIME types, as they both serve to identify the format of a file. However, while MIME types are used primarily by web browsers and servers, file extensions are used by operating systems and applications.
Associated MIME types
application/octet-stream, text/vnd.familysearch.gedcom
FAQs
What is a .ged file?
A .ged file is a genealogical data file saved in the GEDCOM (Genealogical Data Communication) format. It contains plain text representing family trees, including names, dates, events, and relationships. This standard format allows users to transfer family history data between different genealogy software programs and online services.
How do I open a GED file on my computer?
You can open .ged files with specialized genealogy software such as RootsMagic, Family Tree Maker, or the free open-source tool Gramps. Alternatively, you can upload the file to online platforms like Ancestry.com or MyHeritage to view your family tree in a web browser.
Can I read a GED file using a text editor?
Yes, since GEDCOM files are stored as plain text, you can view them in editors like Notepad (Windows) or TextEdit (macOS). However, the content will appear as raw structured data with tags (e.g., 1 NAME John /Smith/), which is much harder to interpret than using a dedicated viewer.
How can I convert a GED file to PDF or Excel?
Direct conversion is rarely possible; instead, you must import the .ged file into genealogy software first. Once imported, you can use the software's "Report" or "Export" features to save family charts as PDF files or export lists of people to CSV format for use in Excel.
What is the correct MIME type for serving GED files?
The specific MIME type for these files is text/vnd.familysearch.gedcom. However, web servers often default to text/plain or the generic application/octet-stream if the specific type is not configured. For more on server configuration, visit mime-type.com.
Why does my GED file show weird characters when imported?
This is usually a character encoding issue, often occurring when a file saved in the older ANSEL encoding is read as UTF-8, or vice versa. To fix this, open the file in a text editor like Notepad++, check the header for the CHAR tag, and save a copy with the correct encoding compatible with your target software.
Is it safe to share my GED file with others?
While the file format itself is safe, .ged files often contain personal details about living relatives. Before sharing, use your genealogy software's export options to create a "privatized" version that strips out data regarding living individuals to protect their privacy.
General FAQ
What is a MIME type?
A MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) type is a standard that indicates the nature and format of a document, file, or assortment of bytes. MIME types are defined and standardized in IETF's RFC 6838.
MIME types are important because they help browsers and servers understand how to process a file. When a browser receives a file from a server, it uses the MIME type to determine how to display or handle the content, whether it's an image to display, a PDF to open in a viewer, or a video to play.
MIME types consist of a type and a subtype, separated by a slash (e.g., text/html, image/jpeg, application/pdf). Some MIME types also include optional parameters.
How do I find the MIME type for a file?
You can check the file extension or use a file identification tool such as file --mime-type on the command line. Many programming languages also provide libraries to detect MIME types.
Why can one extension have multiple MIME types?
Different programs and historical usage may assign various MIME identifiers to the same file format. Listing them together helps maintain compatibility across tools.