Instructions for comparing 2 GEDCOMs on GEDmatch.Com


How do I see my results, and who else can see it?
  1. You can see your results by entering the ID numbers of 2 GEDCOMs that have previously been uploaded by you or somebody else. You can also see your results by using the 'compare all' feature to compare your GEDCOM with all other users who have chosen to make their GEDCOM available for 'public' comparisons.
  2. If you select the 'public' option when you upload your GEDCOM, your information will be available when somebody uses the 'compare all' feature, and has a match with at least one individual in your GEDCOM. The 'public' option only makes your information available if you have a match with somebody else. It does not make your information available to casual web surfers or to search engines.
  3. If you do not select the 'public' option, nobody else can see your information (other than site administrators) unless you have provided them with your GEDCOM ID number. This is to protect your privacy. If you choose to share your GEDCOM ID number with others by email, or even in a public forum, that is up to you.

OK, I've uploded my GEDCOM file, and I have the ID number of a potential 'cousin'. How do I compare them?
  1. From the opening page of this site, you click on the link that says, 'Compare 2 GEDCOMs'. The image below shows what you will see:




Enter the ID numbers for 2 GEDCOMs, and click on 'Compare'
  1. If you have uploaded one or more GEDCOMs, you were given a 7 digit ID number for each one. Enter that number in one of the spaces.
  2. If you are comparing your GEDCOM against one that was uploaded by somebody else, enter the ID number of the 2nd GEDCOM in the other space. This will require that the other person provide you with the ID number that they received when they uploaded their GEDCOM.

Wait for results
  1. It can take several minutes to process the data if the GEDCOMs are large. Be patient. Even though it may seem like nothing is happening, a lot of processing is going on in the background.
  2. When your results are displayed, you will see somethig like this if you have exact name matches:



Next, you will have the option of looking at more detail into an individual surname:



If you click on a surname, you will be given a list of individuals in each GEDCOM with that surname.



Click on the button to the left on one name in each column, and then select either 'descendancy' or 'pedigree' and you will see something similar to one of the following pages.

Decendancy:



Pedigree:



Finally, you are given the option to examine either of the 2 entire GEDCOMs in detail.