How to split ancestry tree and export targeted gedcom?

Question

Hi, I know how to export a gedcom from ancestry, and I see I cannot split the file ON ancestry. So what's currently the simplest best way to split an ancestry gedcom to select, say, all descendants of a certain ancestral couple into a gedcom I can then import to wikitree? I would like it to include the sources. Thanks

Comments

Jane, how many names are in your GEDCOM?

Unfortunately, there is no easy answer for Ancestry GEDCOM files.  But depending on the size, there can be different options....none are simple though.

Answer 1

Get a desktop genealogy program. There are several for the PC with cost typically about $40; the are fewer options for the Mac, but there are some.

These normally give you the option of starting with a person of your choice and creating a gedcom with ancestors or descendants of that person with as many generations as you want.

There are differences in how most programs handle gedcom data fields as compared to WikiTree. For example, most desktop programs do not have a middle name field, whereas WikiTree does. Most software allows double dates, or date ranges, WikiTree does not. Most software has fields for baptism and burial, WikiTree does not.

Comments

Some programs have a free evaluation version. I haven't checked lately, but I think Roots Magic might do the job. There may be others.

Answer 2

OK I'm going to leave this here because I found the Wikitree page that answers it, and somebody else may be helped: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Help:Splitting_a_GEDCOM

I used rootsmagic, downloaded my ancestry tree onto my desktop computer, told rootsmagic to make me a gedcom with all descendants of the target individual. I uploaded that gedcom to wiki tree and it all worked like a charm.

Comments

You can also do it with Legacy. Use the split screen technique.