Before Importing: Use your desktop genealogy software to create a standard 5.5 GEDCOM file (4.0 will also work). You may choose to exclude private information for living individuals, but this is not necessary. It is also not necessary to exclude LDS information, as this can be filtered as well depending on user rights.

Import GEDCOM:

After you've created your GEDCOM file, the next step is to get it to your web site.

From your computer: To upload your file to your site without using FTP, click on Browse and locate it on your hard drive. The name and path of your file will appear in this field. NOTE: If your GEDCOM file is very large (> 2Mb), you should check with your hosting provider before attempting to upload your file this way, as the server may have a maximum size limit. If you attempt to upload your file this way and receive an error during the import, this is likely the case. Try using FTP to copy your file to the gedcom folder (see below).

On web server (in GEDCOM folder): If you used FTP to transfer the file to the GEDCOM folder on your site, enter the exact name of your uploaded file here, or click on the 'Select' button to locate it on your site. It must be in the GEDCOM folder, or the Select button will not find it.

Destination Tree: Select a tree to receive the imported data. If the tree to receive the data does not yet exist, click on the 'Add New Tree' button to create it. You will be returned to this page once the tree has been created.

Replace all current data: If you choose this option, all your previous data (people, children, sources & families; not photos, histories or anything else) will be cleared prior to the import. NOTE: Links to photos, histories and headstones will be preserved as long as the people and family IDs in your new GEDCOM match the people and family IDs in your existing data. Most desktop genealogy programs assign permanent IDs to each individual and family, but a few do not. If you have linked in any photos, histories or headstones, please check your new GEDCOM to make sure the IDs match before you import, no matter which of these import options you select. It might also be a good idea to backup your tables before performin an import.

Replace matching records only: With this option, new records are added and matching records are replaced. Old data is not cleared.

Do not replace any data: New records are added, but any matches are ignored (not replaced).

Append all records: All records are imported, regardless of existing data, but all IDs are recalculated. IDs can start at the first available number, or at a number you specify.

Uppercase all surnames: Check this box prior to importing if you want all surnames to be converted to upper case.

Do not recalculate Living flag: If you chose "Replace matching records only" above, you will also see this option. Check this box prior to importing if you do not want the Living flag to be recalculated for individuals that were already in the database.

Replace only if newer: Matching records will only be replaced if the incoming record is newer than the one in the database. This is based on the "Last Modified" or CHAN date associated with the record in the GEDCOM.

Import media if present: If your GEDCOM contains links to photos or histories, selecting this option will allow TNG to import them and set up the appropriate links. You must still copy the physical files associated with these links to your site via other means. If you do not want to import any media links, make sure this box is not checked prior to performing the import.

Start IDs at first available number/Start IDs at: If you chose "Append all records" above, you will also see this option. Check the first option to have TNG start renumbering IDs at the first available slot in each category (individuals, families, sources, etc.). Check the second option if you want TNG to start new IDs at a specific number (same for each category). If you choose this option, be careful that no records exist in the indicated range or you will have collisions.

When you're ready, click on Import Data to begin the process. You should see a counter tick off every 10 individuals, families, sources and notes imported. A final count of all records imported will also be displayed, followed by a "Finished" message. If you do not see any numbers, your data was not properly imported. Most likely there is a problem with your GEDCOM file. If you see numbers but do not see a "Finished" message, your server may have killed your import process for running too long. If this happens to you, first publish your GEDCOM to the TNG gedcom folder on your web site if you haven't already. Next, return to the Setup & Configuration/Import Settings page and check the box next to Save Import State. Then return here and try your import again. If the import fails to run to completion, you will now be able to click a link at the top of the page to resume the import.