At some point, we all think about our family history with great curiosity. Who were the people before us? Who were our ancestors? What did they do? What were their traditions? Etc.
These profound questions can keep us occupied from time to time. Interestingly, there is a particular field for this called Genealogy. It involves the study and tracing of lines of descent or development.
Earlier, this was done using charts and papers, but as the technology evolved, experts started using computers and software for their study. So now a whole range of files, software, etc., is involved in Genealogy.
If you are interested in this field, you must know about GEDCOM files and viewers. After preparing a family tree, the full genetic information is stored for analysis using software, and the file is called Genealogical Data Communication (GEDCOM).
Although these files are in text formats, you can’t read them with standard text file viewers. You will find these files with a “.GED” extension for easy identification. The only catch is that you need a GEDCOM file viewer to access these files.
Today, we list some of the best GEDCOM File Viewers available. So, if you are into Genealogy, follow the guide until the end.
Best GEDCOM File Viewers for Windows
1. GEDCOM Viewer
As the name suggests, GEDCOM Viewer is an excellent family tree viewer. You can open all the GEDCOM files seamlessly with this tool. The tool doesn’t modify any content of the original GED files, so genealogy scientists prefer this tool.
It asks you to select a person for whom you want to see the family tree. When you select a person, the tool displays their parents and grandparents. As you learn this tool, you can do a lot with it.
2. Notepad++
Notepad++ is a widely used tool for viewing and editing GEDCOM files. The tool does not natively support GEDCOM files, but you can install a plugin and seamlessly access and edit GEDCOM files. The process can be a little slow and involves some learning, but this tool is the best once you get the hang of it.
3. Gedcom Lexer Plugin for Notepad++
Gedcom Lexer Plugin for Notepad+ is easily one of the best GEDCOM file viewers on the list. All you have to do is install this plugin along with your Notepad++, and your Notepad++ text editor can efficiently process GEDCOM files.
Its remarkable feature is presenting a tree structure and highlighting syntax in colors. The plugin also allows you to customize colors, fonts, and styles. If you are a hobbyist, this tool will serve you well.
4. GedPad Pro
GEDPad Pro is a decent GEDCOM file viewer with all the essential features you need to access a GED file. The best thing is that this tool can also edit your GED files.
For instance, you can change fonts and text styles with this tool. Another remarkable feature of the tool is its advanced encoding techniques. Because of that, it can analyze family trees more efficiently. So make sure to give it a try.
5. GedView
If you are looking for a GEDCOM file viewer that offers seamless portability, check out GEDView. It is free and easy to use. To run the tool, you simply have to extract it into a folder, and you are all set.
Accessing GED files is seamless with this tool. Just click on family members from the list on the toolbar to view Descendants, Ancestors, mitochondrial DNA, Y chromosome, and other helpful information for the person. The only catch is that you can only read GED files with this tool and can’t make any changes. So, this tool is best suited for hobbyists who like to view family trees.
6. GenViewer Lite
GenViewer Lite is a feature-rich GEDCOM file viewer packed in a compact size. At a mere 870KB, it is one of the lightest programs on the list. But don’t let the tiny size misguide you.
The tool lets users view GEDCOM files and other formats like PAF, SUB, TMG, PJC, FTW, FBK FDB, and XXX. With the free version, you can view the files in the General, Individual, and Family tabs, which is more than enough.
7. GRAMPS
GRAMPS stands for Genealogical Research and Management Programming System. This is one of the best GEDCOM file viewers on the list, primarily because of its clean and modern interface. It is entirely free, and anyone can access this tool.
As a hobbyist, you can record every significant moment of your life with this tool. All you have to do is visit the site and get a detailed understanding of how the tool works. Then, you can start recording everything yourself.
8. GenealogyJ
If you are looking for a free GEDCOM file viewer, then GenealogyJ will be very handy. It is a free genealogical data viewer and editor. Since this is a Java-based program, you must have Java on your computer. It allows you to open any GEDCOM file easily.
It also comes with many interactive ways to display data, including Family Trees, Tables, Geography, Timelines, etc. It is an easy choice for anyone, from a genealogy researcher to a hobbyist, so make sure to check it out.
