Ancestral File:
Submitting & Correcting

(last updated 01 Mar 2003)

This lesson, like the other lessons in the Rookie's Guide, is a crash course, and is therefore designed to be simple.  For more details on Ancestral File submissions, see the LDS publication 34029, Contributing Information to Ancestral File.   For instructions on correcting the Ancestral File, see LDS publication 34030, Correcting Information in Ancestral File.  Both these publications can be found within the LDS Source Guide CD-ROM and in paper format at LDS Family History Centers worldwide.

Submission Tips

Paper or GEDCOM?

Although submissions can be made on paper, the best way to ensure that records are submitted correctly is to type them into a computer and submit a GEDCOM file to the Family History Department.  The only GEDCOMs accepted are those from programs which are registered with the Ancestral File.  To see whether a program is registered, contact the Family History Department at 1-800-346-6044.

Submissions vs. Corrections

When you submit an individual to Ancestral File who is already listed, the data you submit for the individual is merged with the existing data.  Each new date or place you submit is added to the existing record, but any information of yours which conflicts with existing data is deleted.

For example, if you submit a birth date for an individual which is different from the birth date previously submitted, the birth date you submit will be deleted and the old one retained. 

If you want your conflicting information to replace that which has been previously submitted, you'll want to do a correction rather than a submission.  For details on corrections, follow the excellent step-by-step directions found in LDS publication 34030, Correcting Information in Ancestral File.  This brochure is available on the Source Guide CD-ROM and in paper format at Family History Centers.

Rights of Privacy

Because of privacy laws, Ancestral File limits the amount of information listed for individuals born within the last 95 years and who have no death information listed.  If such individuals have no LDS baptism date, their names appear as "LIVING," and no other information is given.  However, if they have an LDS baptism date, their names are given, but no dates or localities are given for any of their life events.  These privacy issues make it hard to find living people on the Ancestral File, so users should take special care in submitting complete information on living, LDS-baptized, and recently-deceased individuals.

Submitting

1. Check your current genealogy disk for physical problems and corruptions.  In PAF, this is done using the following steps:
   • From the Small Pedigree screen, press the Y key.
   • From the Utility Menu, select Scan File for Problems.
   • If the file has problems, follow the prompts to fix them.  However, be sure to back up your file before allowing the computer to automatically fix any problems.
2. Check your current genealogy file for logic errors, like a child who is older than his mother.  Using PAF...
   • From the Small Pedigree screen, press the P key.
   • From the Print screen, select the Lists option.
   • From the Lists screen, select the Possible Record Problems report.
   • Read the report and manually fix any logic errors.
3. Create a GEDCOM file to submit.  Using PAF...
   • From the Small Pedigree screen, press the X key.
   • From the Select Type of Export File to Create screen, select the option to Create a File of Records to Send to Ancestral File
   • At the Check for Possible Problems screen, if you have already checked for problems, press the N key.
   • At the Ancestral File Submission -- Introduction screen, read the introduction and press the F1 key.
   • At the Select Names for Ancestral File screen, highlight an individual and use the keyboard commands at the bottom of the screen to select or deselect his family, ancestors, or descendants.  Keyboard commands also exist to submit individuals you corrected since downloading from the Ancestral File, or those who have been added since you last downloaded from Ancestral File.
   • When finished selecting individuals, press the F1 key.
   • At the What to Do with Missing Birth Dates and Places screen, note that the default is No, meaning you don't want PAF to estimate missing information.  If you can avoid estimations, please do, for they tend to cause duplicate entries for individuals.   Press F1.
   • At the Submit Living screen, press the Y key.
   • At the Prepare Records for Ancestral File screen, look over your submission.  If it looks okay, press F1.
   • At the Submitter Information screen, type in your name, address, and phone number.   This will help other researchers reach you, and the name and address, at least, is required.  Many researchers like to include their e-mail addresses in one of the later address lines.
   • At the Name Your File and Select Disk Drive screen, type in an 8-character file name.   Check the Disk/Directory field below to ensure that the proper drive name is given, and change it if necessary.  Press F1.
   • At the Make a Copy of the Submission File screen, press the Y key to make a backup submission.  This way, if the post office loses your submission disk, you'll have a backup to send.
   • At the Records for Ancestral File -- Submission Instructions screen, follow the directions to print the reports you want.  Then press F1.
   • At the Save Submission Report screen, select Yes or No.
   • At the Diskette Ready screen, press F1.  You may now submit your file!