What is MIME type "text/vnd.familysearch.gedcom"?

A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.

text/vnd.familysearch.gedcom is a MIME type that identifies text-based genealogy files. It tells software that the file’s content follows the GEDCOM standard, a format used to record family history data.
This type handles structured records like names, dates, and relationships, making data exchange easier.

The main purpose is to ensure genealogy software can import and export data without confusion. It supports the consistent sharing of family tree records.
Other uses include:

Exchanging detailed family history between programs
Maintaining compatibility across genealogy platforms
Storing structured genealogical records reliably

Files using this MIME type are often seen with the file extension GED.
Learn more about MIME types on the MDN Web Docs.

Associated file extensions

.ged

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

When serving content with this MIME type, set the Content-Type header:


    Content-Type: text/vnd.familysearch.gedcom

HTML

In HTML, you can specify the MIME type in various elements:


    <a href="file.dat" type="text/vnd.familysearch.gedcom">Download file</a>

Server-side (Node.js)

Setting the Content-Type header in Node.js:


    const http = require('http');    
    
    http.createServer((req, res) => {    
      res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'text/vnd.familysearch.gedcom');    
      res.end('Content here');    
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.ged

FAQs

What is the text/vnd.familysearch.gedcom MIME type used for?

This MIME type specifically identifies GEDCOM files, which are the industry standard for exchanging genealogical data between different family tree software programs. It ensures that applications recognize the file as structured family history data rather than generic text.

How do I configure Apache to serve .ged files with the correct MIME type?

To ensure your Apache server sends the correct header, add the following line to your .htaccess file or main configuration: AddType text/vnd.familysearch.gedcom .ged. This helps web-based genealogy viewers interpret the file correctly.

Why does my browser download the file instead of displaying the family tree?

Web browsers (like Chrome or Firefox) do not have built-in engines to render GEDCOM lineage visually. Consequently, when they encounter text/vnd.familysearch.gedcom, they usually default to downloading the file so you can open it with a desktop application.

Is text/vnd.familysearch.gedcom a binary or text format?

It is a text-based format. You can open files associated with this type (usually ending in ged) in simple editors like Notepad to view the raw data, though specialized software is required to visualize the family relationships.

What setting should I use in Nginx for GEDCOM files?

In your Nginx mime.types file or within a types block, you should add: text/vnd.familysearch.gedcom ged;. Without this, Nginx might serve the file as text/plain or application/octet-stream, potentially confusing importing software.

Can I use text/plain instead of the vendor-specific MIME type?

While the content is plain text, using text/plain is not recommended for API endpoints or specialized web apps. Using the specific text/vnd.familysearch.gedcom type allows systems to automatically validate that the uploaded content follows the strict GEDCOM syntax standards.

Are there security risks associated with this MIME type?

Since GEDCOM files are plain text and not executable, they pose a low direct security risk. However, they often contain sensitive personal data (PII) about living individuals, so servers hosting these files should ensure proper access controls are in place.

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 are multiple MIME types listed for one extension?

Different applications and historical conventions may use alternative MIME identifiers for the same kind of file. Showing them all helps ensure compatibility across systems.