Personal Ancestral File

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Personal Ancestral File
Screen shot of PAF v5.2
Developed byFamilySearch
Initial release1983[1][2]
Latest release4.0.4.18 Windows 2000/02/02
5.2.18.0 Windows 2002/07/23
2.3.1 Macintosh 1994/09/30
Operating systemWindows,Macintosh
Available inMultilingual
4.0.4.18 Windows 5 languages
5.2.18.0 Windows 6 languages
2.3.1 Macintosh 1 language
TypeGenealogy software
LicenseFreeware
Websitewww.familysearch.org

Personal Ancestral File or PAF is genealogy software provided by FamilySearch, a website operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is freeware. Personal Ancestral File is the personal computer version of Ancestral File, one of the genealogy databases available from FamilySearch. After entering names, dates, citations and source information into the database, PAF allows users to sort and search the genealogical data, print forms and charts, and share files with others in GEDCOM format. Personal Ancestral Files can also be read directly into Legacy. It can also link images and other media files to individual records. PAF also handles Unicode.

Contents

[edit] PAF and Ancestral Quest

Personal Ancestral File has had several different versions released by FamilySearch, but the current version for Windows began with an adaptation of Incline Software's Ancestral Quest program. The software was written by Gaylon Findlay[3], and with the assistance of FamilySearch, was adapted to fit their needs. Gaylon has been involved in the updates of PAF, resulting in the current version 5.2.18.0[4]. Ancestral Quest has been developed separately, and is currently released as version 12.1, although it retains much of the basic visual layout, and file structure of PAF. Gaylon continues to be involved in the development of the PAF file structure, and, with Version 12.1, has released a series of adaptations, allowing a user's PAF file to include information from FamilySearch's new online database, known as New FamilySearch.[5]

[edit] The Future of PAF

It is unclear what is in store for PAF, as New FamilySearch begins to be released worldwide. While FamilySearch continues to support PAF, no updates or fixes have been made in several years. Rumors have been circulating about making the PAF code open source, although no visible moves have been made in that direction.[6] The PAF database structure is equipped to store additional information from New FamilySearch, although the current version of PAF will not be able to display this information. Gordon Clarke, a product manager for New FamilySearch, has stated "I kind of see new life as being breathed into PAF. I don’t think PAF is dying, I think it is getting a second life." However, no announcements or commitments have been made concerning updates. His statement is likely in reference to third party software developers who are building programs that will allow PAF to synchronize with New FamilySearch.[7][8][9]

[edit] Ancestral File number

An Ancestral File number is a unique identifier for everyone who has a record in the Ancestral File format. AFNs are used as a genealogical indexing tool by the LDS Church. AFN's consist of four capital letters or numbers, a dash, and then two or three more capital letters or numbers. An AFN does not contain any vowels (A, E, I, O, U, or Y). An example is 1BS3-9X1. AFNs can be searched online at the LDS genealogy website, FamilySearch. FamilySearch is continuing its support for AFNs in its new database, New FamilySearch. Although the AFN is being replaced by the "Person Identifier", one can still search for an individual using an AFN. No new individuals will be assigned an AFN, although each person will be assigned a Person Identifier. The AFN is not displayed when viewing an individual in the new database and New FamilySearch will not be maintaining the Ancestral File database separate from New FamilySearch. When the full transition to New FamilySearch is complete, the Ancestral File database will have been merged with information from several other databases, altering much of the information. Third party software developers are designing programs that will allow users to synchronize their databases with New FamilySearch based upon the Person Identifier; it is unclear what role, if any, the AFN will play in synchronization.

[edit] Release History

The history of "Personal Ancestral File" (PAF) ran in parallel with the evolution of GEDCOM[10] the de facto specification for Genealogy data exchange. This is a selected release history:

  • PAF 1.0 (DOS) Released in April 1984. Written in BASIC and did not have Support for GEDCOM.[11][12][13][14][15]
  • PAF 2.0 (DOS, Apple II, CP/M) Released in April 1986. Supported an early specification of GEDCOM 2.0.[16] Due to PAF's slowness in BASIC was written in C [17][18][19]
  • PAF 2.1 (DOS, Apple PRO-DOS,Macintosh) Released in 1987.[20] Supported an early specification of GEDCOM 4.0.
  • PAF 2.2 (DOS, Apple PRO-DOS,Macintosh) Released in 1989 [21] Supported an early specification of GEDCOM 4.0.
  • PAF 2.3 (DOS, Macintosh) Released in 1994.[22][23] The Macintosh version was called PAF:Family Records and MacPAF. Supported an early specification of GEDCOM 4.0.
  • PAF 2.31 (DOS, Macintosh) Released 30 Sep 1994.[24] This was the final release of the Macintosh version and only worked on Classic OS - OS 8.5 through OS 9.2.2.[25] Supported an early specification of GEDCOM 4.0.
  • PAF 3.0M (DOS) Released May 1997 [26] Supports the current GEDCOM 5.5 specification.
  • PAF 4.0 Released 2 February 2000. (Win9x/NT) Freeware. Supports the current GEDCOM 5.5 specification. [27] PAF 4.0 was a based on Ancestral Quest.[28][29]
  • PAF 5.0 Released in November 2000 (Win9x/NT) Freeware. Supports the current GEDCOM 5.5 specification. First version of PAF to support Unicode allowing multiple languages.[30][31] Included was a standalone read only Palm OS application to view, but not edit, your PAF data. [32]
  • PAF 5.1 Released in 2001 (Win9x/NT) Freeware. Supports the current GEDCOM 5.5 specification. Support multiple languages.[33]
  • PAF 5.2 Released 23 July 2002 (Win9x/NT) Freeware. Supports the current GEDCOM 5.5 specification. Supports multiple languages.[34][35]

[edit] Languages

  • PAF 4.x supports the following languages English, Spanish, Portuguese, German and French.[36]
  • PAF 5.x supports the following languages English, Chinese, German, Japanese, Korean, and Swedish.

[edit] References

  1. ↑ Chapter 8: Automating the Records, BYU Studies, vol. 34 (1994), Number 2--1994 - "Personal Ancestral File (PAF) was initiated in 1983 as a part of the Ancestral File project."
  2. ↑ Early Genealogy Programs - The Humble Beginnings of Genealogy Software on the Computer - By Dick Eastman - "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints first introduced Personal Ancestral File (PAF) in 1983. The program had a previously unheard-of low price of only $35." About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.
  3. ↑ Gaylon Findlay - "President of Incline Software" - Mesa, Arizona Family History Expo 2008 - Family History Expos
  4. ↑ Personal Ancestral File for Macs - Selected FAQ "The current version of Personal Ancestral File for the Macintosh® is 2.3.1. The current IBM® versions of Personal Ancestral File are 4.0.4.18 and 5.2.18 (as of Aug 2002).
  5. ↑ Incline Software's press releases Press Release
  6. ↑ Open source rumors about PAF [1]
  7. ↑ The Death of PAF? [2]
  8. ↑ LDS Tech » Blog Archive » Official statement on the future of Personal Ancestral File (PAF) - From Gordon Clark, Family and Church History, LDS Church (March 31st, 2008)
  9. ↑ LDS Tech » Blog Archive » “Official” statement about status of PAF premature - April 14th, 2008
  10. ↑ Subject:Timeline of GEDCOM versions and PAF"The evolution of GEDCOM runs parallel to the development of PAF that for many years, especially 1985-1989, was LDS' real-world implementation of GEDCOM." George Archer - Date:Mon, 20 Nov 2000 21:34:35 -0500
  11. ↑ Chapter 8: Automating the Records, BYU Studies, vol. 34 (1994), Number 2--1994 - "Personal Ancestral File (PAF) was initiated in 1983 as a part of the Ancestral File project. It was released in April 1984"
  12. ↑ LDS.org - Ensign Article - News of the Church: “Personal Ancestral File: New Genealogical Software for Home Computers,” Ensign, June 1984, 78 - "At present, Personal Ancestral File has been developed for IBM PC and IBM PC/XT computers"
  13. ↑ RootsWeb: ROOTS-L Re: Genealogical Programs From: Cliff Manis "I still have the PAF 1.0 in BASIC." - Date: Sun, 28 Oct 90 18:17:06 CST
  14. ↑ NSGS--NEBRASKA ANCESTREE Vol VII, no. 3, page 83 - Winter 1984-5 From: Keith W. Chambers, Beatrice, NE KEITH'S COMPUTER KORNER - "I read an article in the World-Herald about a new computer program that was being introduced by the LDS Church"
  15. ↑ *LDS.org -Kathleen Lubeck, “The Church and Computers: Using Tools the Lord Has Provided,” Ensign, Jun 1984, 24 "“The Genealogical Department has just completed development of a new genealogy software program for those who own or have access to personal computers,” he added. Personal Ancestral File™ is now available"
  16. ↑ LDS.org - Ensign Article - News of the Church - “New Genealogy Software Available for Computers,” Ensign, July 1986, 75 "While the original software package (Personal Ancestral File 1.0), released two years ago, was written in BASIC, Personal Ancestral File 2.0 uses “C,” a computer language that allows faster operation and fits on fewer diskettes."
  17. ↑ RootsWeb: ROOTS-L Re: Genealogical Programs - From: Ron Holt Date: Sun, 28 Oct 90 16:23:48 GMT - "I'm one of the original developers of PAF (version 2.0) and know there was a Unix (actually Xenix) version done. Though the original version was developed on an IBM PC, we got to the point that we did most of our development work on the Xenix version and then ported that version to the PC, Apple II, etc." Date: Sun, 28 Oct 90 18:17:06 CST
  18. ↑ "Chapter 8: Automating the Records, BYU Studies, vol. 34 (1994), Number 2--1994 "The earliest version of Personal Ancestral File had one glaring deficiency-poor response time. Release 2.0, a complete rewrite that was available in April 1986"
  19. ↑ LDS.org - New Era Article - Lori Stephenson Dawson, “Even in an Ordinary Ward,” New Era, Nov 1987, 9 Personal Ancestral File - "Personal Ancestral File (release 2.0) is available in versions for MS-DOS computers, Apple computers, and CP/M computers."
  20. ↑ Family history data can now be submitted on computer diskette By R. Scott Lloyd - Church News staff writer -Published: Saturday, July 16, 1988 "Named "Release 2.1" to distinguish it from earlier versions of the Personal Ancestral File, Releases 1.0 and 2.0, which are no longer available,"
  21. ↑ LDS Church News - Upgraded software soon available for home-computer genealogy - By R. Scott Lloyd - Church News staff writer - Published: Saturday, Nov. 18, 1989 "For now, Release 2.2 is only available in a version for MS-DOS (IBM-compatible) computers."
  22. ↑ LDS Church News - Upgraded Personal Ancestral File available Published: Saturday, Jan. 8, 1994 "Release 2.3 of the program, for MS-DOS computers"
  23. ↑ PAF 2.3 Still Has Problems! - THE LIVERMORE ROOTS TRACER - VOLUME XIII AUTUMN 1994 NUMBER 5 - Livermore-Amador Genealogical Society "Personal Ancestral File (PAF) Release 2.3 is no longer being offered or distributed by the Family History Department of LDS. There are some known "bugs" that they are still trying to fix."
  24. ↑ Personal Ancestral File 5 Tips and Tricks - Family History Conference Class Handout - By:Kevin Owen - 25 October 2008 - Brigham Young University - Idaho
  25. ↑ Personal Ancestral File for Macs - Selected FAQ
  26. ↑ LDS Church News - Church releases new PAF version for computers Published: Saturday, June 7, 1997 "A new DOS version of Personal Ancestral File 3.0"
  27. ↑ LDS Church News - Newest PAF version available on Internet Published: Saturday, July 10, 1999 "Personal Ancestral File 4.0 was made available on the Internet service on June 28, just five weeks after the service's launch."
  28. ↑ Ancestral Quest - Program Description - PAF Compatibility - "NOTE 1: In 1999, Incline Software donated a copy of the source code for Ancestral Quest 3.0 to the LDS Church. The LDS Church then used this code as a base for creating PAF 4 and PAF 5. This is part of the reason why the two programs are so compatible."
  29. ↑ FAQS - "Is there a relationship between PAF and Ancestral Quest? - In 1999, Incline Software, with some strategic help from its partners, helped the LDS Church develop PAF 4 based on the newly released AQ 3.0. Both PAF 4 and the newer PAF 5 are therefore very similar to AQ. Since 1999, while the LDS Church has developed adjustments and new features into PAF, Incline Software has also develop dramatic new features into AQ." - Incline Software
  30. ↑ LDS Church News - Software upgrade makes names easier to submit to temple Published: Saturday, March 24, 2001 "(PAF 5.0 was recently updated to accept most of the world's alphabets and now has screens in and prints reports in Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Swedish and German.)"
  31. ↑ PAF 5.0 - Dick Eastman Online 1/3/2001 "Languages and Cultures. The biggest change in PAF 5 is that you can type and store characters from many of the world's languages. Not only can you record information in your own language, but you can also type characters from the languages of any of your ancestors. Technically, the database has been redesigned to accommodate all Unicode data."- Archive - Ancestry.com
  32. ↑ LDS Church News - Key new features now on PAF 5.0 "Key new features include a Palm OS application" Published: Saturday, June 16, 2001
  33. ↑ LDS Church News - Software upgrade makes names easier to submit to temple Published: Saturday, March 24, 2001 "PAF 5.1 will check the FamilySearch Internet site and check for updates. This upgrade is now available"
  34. ↑ LDS Church News - Updated PAF 5.2 available - Published: Saturday, Aug. 10, 2002
  35. ↑ Personal Ancestral File 5.2 and PAF Companion 5.4 - Software Version Changes
  36. ↑ PAF 4.0.4 is the most current version for French, Spanish, and Portuguese Speakers

[edit] See also

  • International Genealogical Index
v • d • [{{fullurl:Template:FULLPAGENAME: Genealogy software|action=edit}}e]
Genealogy software
Open source
Stand-alone
GenealogyJ · GRAMPS · LifeLines · Microsoft Family.Show
Web-based
Geneotree · GeneWeb · PhpGedView
Freeware
Ahnenblatt · Legacy Family Tree (standard ed.) · Personal Ancestral File · SmartGenealogy
Retail
Brother's Keeper · Family Historian · Family Tree Builder · Family Tree Maker · Genbox Family History · GenoPro · Legacy Family Tree (deluxe ed.) · Map My Ancestors · Reunion · The Master Genealogist
General
Comparison of genealogy software  • Family tree mapping  • GEDCOM  • Genealogy software
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