GEDCOM (Genealogical Data Communication) è un formato di file che può essere considerato uno standard de facto[1], utilizzato per la genealogia. Si tratta di un file di testo con informazioni raccolte secondo uno schema prefissato. Le specifiche di questo formato sono state progettate dalla Chiesa di Gesù Cristo dei santi degli ultimi giorni.[2][3].
^Subject: GEDCOM and Formal Standards Organizations Date: Wed, 24 Jan 1996 11:53:52 -0700 From: Bill Harten - Organization: Brigham Young University "why wasn't GEDCOM developed through a formal standards organization?..."Thus GEDCOM was born as a deliberate, de facto standard, to be followed only by those who felt it was in their best interest to do so
^Subject: rep: T Jenkins - open letter to GEDCOM-L - "The goal was to try and provide a standard to allow developers to provide a vehicle for their users to share genealogical conclusions and supporting evidence with others." From: "Jed R. Allen" Brigham Young University - Date: 29 Sep 1995 17:40:04 -0600 - GEDCOM-L Archives -- September 1995, week 5 (#7)