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[[Image:Ancestral File.png|thumb|right|250px]]Ancestral File is a computerized collection of genealogies that links families into pedigrees, showing ancestors and descendants. It contains information for about 40 million people from throughout the world. It shows individuals’ names, family relationships, dates and places of birth, marriage, and death. Ancestral File was created from thousands of user submitted pedigree charts, family group sheets, and [[GEDCOM]] files. Submissions were merged to reduce duplication and submitted corrections were applied to rectify errors.<br> | [[Image:Ancestral File.png|thumb|right|250px]]Ancestral File is a computerized collection of genealogies that links families into pedigrees, showing ancestors and descendants. It contains information for about 40 million people from throughout the world. It shows individuals’ names, family relationships, dates and places of birth, marriage, and death. Ancestral File was created from thousands of user submitted pedigree charts, family group sheets, and [[GEDCOM]] files. Submissions were merged to reduce duplication and submitted corrections were applied to rectify errors.<br> | ||
*The current site contains 40 million, 5 million more than the previous website. | *The current site contains 40 million, 5 million more than the previous website. | ||
*Information is not displayed for living individuals, including submitters.<br> | *Information is not displayed for living individuals, including submitters.<br> | ||
*Pedigree charts will soon be supported.<br> | *Pedigree charts will soon be supported.<br> | ||
== When to Use It | ==When to Use It== | ||
Use Ancestral File when more current information is not available in the new FamilySearch Tree or [[Pedigree Resource File]] (PRF). Ancestral File has significant limitations (see below), so better information is often available in these other resources. | Use Ancestral File when more current information is not available in the new FamilySearch Tree or [[Pedigree Resource File]] (PRF). Ancestral File has significant limitations (see below), so better information is often available in these other resources. | ||
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User submitted trees such as Ancestral File, the new FamilySearch Tree, and [[Pedigree Resource File]] contain second hand information. Use the information from user submitted trees to guide searches to authoritative records like birth certificates, church records, and other eye-witness accounts. | User submitted trees such as Ancestral File, the new FamilySearch Tree, and [[Pedigree Resource File]] contain second hand information. Use the information from user submitted trees to guide searches to authoritative records like birth certificates, church records, and other eye-witness accounts. | ||
== Access | ==Access== | ||
The current version of of Ancestral File is available online as part of ''[https://familysearch.org/family-trees FamilySearch Genealogies]''. Previous editions of Ancestral File have been available as computer databases on compact disc, and online. In addition, the paper family group records submissions 1983-1996 were made {{FHL|30353|item|disp=available on microfilms}} arranged by AF submission number. The AF submission numbers are only visible on older editions of Ancestral File. The family group record submission films '''''may ''''' show sources not visible to computerized database users, but the source citations on these films are <u>usually</u> sparse. | The current version of of Ancestral File is available online as part of ''[https://www.familysearch.org/search/family-trees FamilySearch Genealogies]''. Previous editions of Ancestral File have been available as computer databases on compact disc, and online. In addition, the paper family group records submissions 1983-1996 were made {{FHL|30353|item|disp=available on microfilms}} arranged by AF submission number. The AF submission numbers are only visible on older editions of Ancestral File. The family group record submission films '''''may ''''' show sources not visible to computerized database users, but the source citations on these films are <u>usually</u> sparse. | ||
== Limitations | ==Limitations== | ||
The Ancestral File has several key limitations. | The Ancestral File has several key limitations. | ||
*It contains no notes or sources. | *It contains no notes or sources. | ||
*Submitters are responsible for the accuracy of the information. FamilySearch did not check the accuracy of any submission. | *Submitters are responsible for the accuracy of the information. FamilySearch did not check the accuracy of any submission. | ||
*Submitter information, previously available, is now hidden for privacy reasons. | *Submitter information, previously available, is now hidden for privacy reasons. | ||
*Ancestral File contains many errors and corrections are not accepted. | *Ancestral File contains many errors and corrections are not accepted. | ||
*Ancestral File also contains duplicates which were not identified and merged (often due to inconsistent or scanty data). | *Ancestral File also contains duplicates which were not identified and merged (often due to inconsistent or scanty data). | ||
*Unlike the new FamilySearch Tree and [[Pedigree Resource File]] (PRF), Ancestral File is static. | *Unlike the new FamilySearch Tree and [[Pedigree Resource File]] (PRF), Ancestral File is static. | ||
*As previously mentioned, information in Ancestral File is second-hand. Verify the information before accepting it. | *As previously mentioned, information in Ancestral File is second-hand. Verify the information before accepting it. | ||
== Tips for Searching Ancestral File | ==Tips for Searching Ancestral File== | ||
If you have not been able to find what you are looking for, consider the following: | If you have not been able to find what you are looking for, consider the following: | ||
*The name of the person you want may not have been contributed to the file, or the person may have been living when submitted. | *The name of the person you want may not have been contributed to the file, or the person may have been living when submitted. | ||
*The person you want may have been submitted to another program, such as the new FamilySearch Tree, or the [[Pedigree Resource File]] (PRF). | *The person you want may have been submitted to another program, such as the new FamilySearch Tree, or the [[Pedigree Resource File]] (PRF). | ||
*The person may be listed more than once, each time with different information. Look at the information available for each search result. | *The person may be listed more than once, each time with different information. Look at the information available for each search result. | ||
*The name may be listed in a different way in the file. | *The name may be listed in a different way in the file. | ||
*The spelling of the person’s name may be unexpected. Perform the search with Exact matching turned off. | *The spelling of the person’s name may be unexpected. Perform the search with Exact matching turned off. | ||
*There may be other unexpected information. Look for variations in names, dates, and places.<br> | *There may be other unexpected information. Look for variations in names, dates, and places.<br> | ||
== Frequently Asked Questions | ==Frequently Asked Questions== | ||
'''How do I contribute to Ancestral File?''' | '''How do I contribute to Ancestral File?''' | ||
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An Ancestral File Number was assigned to every record that was published in Ancestral File. Ancestral File Numbers are in this format: XYZ1-2A. If you know the Ancestral File Number, you can use it to search the Ancestral File for the individual. | An Ancestral File Number was assigned to every record that was published in Ancestral File. Ancestral File Numbers are in this format: XYZ1-2A. If you know the Ancestral File Number, you can use it to search the Ancestral File for the individual. | ||
== History | ==History== | ||
{| width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0 | {| class="FCK__ShowTableBorders" width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" | ||
|- | |- | ||
| style="text-align: right; white-space: nowrap;" | 1 July 1979 | | style="text-align: right; white-space: nowrap;" |1 July 1979 | ||
| Began accepting paper submissions. The Ancestral File replaces the 4-generation program of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. | |Began accepting paper submissions. The Ancestral File replaces the 4-generation program of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| style="text-align: right; white-space: nowrap;" | April 1988 | | style="text-align: right; white-space: nowrap;" |April 1988 | ||
| Ancestral File first deployed in the Family History Library with 4 million names. | |Ancestral File first deployed in the Family History Library with 4 million names. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| style="text-align: right; white-space: nowrap;" | 2 April 1990 | | style="text-align: right; white-space: nowrap;" |2 April 1990 | ||
| FamilySearch DOS published on CD-ROM. Includes Ancestral File with 7 million names. Submissions by diskette began in 1990. | |FamilySearch DOS published on CD-ROM. Includes Ancestral File with 7 million names. Submissions by diskette began in 1990. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| style="text-align: right; white-space: nowrap;" | 1993 | | style="text-align: right; white-space: nowrap;" |1993 | ||
| Ancestral File has grown to 15 million names. | |Ancestral File has grown to 15 million names. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| style="text-align: right; white-space: nowrap;" | 1994 | | style="text-align: right; white-space: nowrap;" |1994 | ||
| Version 2.31. | |Version 2.31. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| style="text-align: right; white-space: nowrap;" | 1996 | | style="text-align: right; white-space: nowrap;" |1996 | ||
| Last paper submissions accepted and filmed. Diskette submissions continue. | |Last paper submissions accepted and filmed. Diskette submissions continue. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| style="text-align: right; white-space: nowrap;" | 24 May 1999 | | style="text-align: right; white-space: nowrap;" |24 May 1999 | ||
| FamilySearch.org debuts, including Ancestral File, which has 35 million names. | |FamilySearch.org debuts, including Ancestral File, which has 35 million names. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| style="text-align: right; white-space: nowrap;" | 4 January 2003 | | style="text-align: right; white-space: nowrap;" |4 January 2003 | ||
| Submissions to the Ancestral File are no longer accepted. Contributors told to submit to the [[Pedigree Resource File]] (PRF) instead. | |Submissions to the Ancestral File are no longer accepted. Contributors told to submit to the [[Pedigree Resource File]] (PRF) instead. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| style="text-align: right; white-space: nowrap;" | November 2011 | | style="text-align: right; white-space: nowrap;" |November 2011 | ||
| New edition with 40 million individuals published on a redesigned www.familysearch.org website. | |New edition with 40 million individuals published on a redesigned www.familysearch.org website. | ||
|} | |} | ||
== Links | ==Links== | ||
==== Videos and Online lessons | ====Videos and Online lessons==== | ||
*{{LearningCenter2|61|If I’d Only Known! Beginner Genealogy Mistakes}} (Section: Collecting Answers) | *{{LearningCenter2|61|If I’d Only Known! Beginner Genealogy Mistakes}} (Section: Collecting Answers) | ||
*[https://www.byutv.org/player/0ff0f670-09e0-43b9-956a-5fd3090b6111/ancestors-compiled-records ''Ancestors'' Season 2: Compiled Records] | *[https://www.byutv.org/player/0ff0f670-09e0-43b9-956a-5fd3090b6111/ancestors-compiled-records ''Ancestors'' Season 2: Compiled Records] | ||
==== Articles | ====Articles==== | ||
*[[Researching for Pre-1500 Ancestors In Ancestral File]] | *[[Researching for Pre-1500 Ancestors In Ancestral File]] | ||
*[[Family Trees: An Online Research Tool]] | *[[Family Trees: An Online Research Tool]] | ||
*[[A Checklist of Compiled Sources & Where to Find Them]] | *[[A Checklist of Compiled Sources & Where to Find Them]] | ||
*[[Use the Internet for Family History Research]] (section [[Use the Internet for Family History Research#Online_Family_Trees|Online Family Trees]]) | *[[Use the Internet for Family History Research]] (section [[Use the Internet for Family History Research#Online_Family_Trees|Online Family Trees]]) | ||
== Sources of Information | ==Sources of Information== | ||
Allen, James B., Jessie L. Embry, Kahlile B. Mehr. [https://byustudies.byu.edu/showtitle.aspx?title=123 ''Hearts Turned to the Fathers: A History of the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1894-1994'']. Provo, Utah: BYU Studies, 1995. | Allen, James B., Jessie L. Embry, Kahlile B. Mehr. [https://byustudies.byu.edu/showtitle.aspx?title=123 ''Hearts Turned to the Fathers: A History of the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1894-1994'']. Provo, Utah: BYU Studies, 1995. | ||