GenXML

What is GenXML?

GenXML is a file format for exchange of data between genealogy programs. It is an alternative to Gedcom 5.5. The idea of GenXML is that:
  • it shall be easy to read by most genealogical programs
  • it shall be easy to write by most genealogical programs
  • it shall be easy to manipulate by third party programs
  • all kinds of information shall fit into one and only one place

GenXML compared with Gedcom 5.5

GenXML 2.0:

  • uses established standards.
  • is more strictly defined.
  • is based on an evidence/conclusion model.
  • includes structures for the research process.
  • supports combining two or more persons that may be the same individual.
  • supports basing an assertion (for example an event) on two other assertions.
  • includes an advanced place structure (which also supports the simple Gedcom-style place structure).
  • includes an advanced name structure (which also supports the simple Gedcom-style name structure).
  • uses an ISO 8601-based date-format where also the month is represented by a number. In this way it is also possible to record dates with a known day, but unknown month. The same format is used whatever the calendar is.
  • supports more special dates than Gedcom. For example "from about 1700 to after 1724" is possible to store in GenXML, but not in Gedcom.
  • have no intention of defining all possible events and attributes. Instead events, and attributes, are grouped into different classes of events.
  • supports the use of different languages in different parts of the file.
  • allows sex="unknown".
  • allows the differentiation of data according to audience. (For example data may be marked as "private" or "public".)
  • allows the marking of a 'preferred' event, attribute or association of each class. This may control the import into a simpler program

GenXML 3.0 adds the following features (se the specifications for a complete list):

  • supports tabular source data
  • a new attribute, level, has been added to the excerpt structure to allow for keeping the history of imported data
  • a sortdate tag has been added to the date structure for sorting and calculation purposes
  • the place structure is now on top level and hierarchical allowing for structured places
  • the tag ‘alias’ has been added to the place structure for connecting different place names representing the same physical place
  • the header structure has been enhanced
  • the eventtype structure has been enhanced
  • extensions are now allowed in all main structures as well as in object, address and place

Download

Download GenXML View Schema

Example

Here is an example of GenXML1.0. This file is a freeware Gedcom-file which is imported into a Norwegian genealogy program and then exported as GenXML.
Here is an example of GenXML 2.0. This is the same Gedcom-file as above, converted to GenXML using Ged2XML.

Links

Copyright (C) 2010 Christoffer Owe