• At this time, Family ChartMasters does not offer genealogical research. You will have to forward the information about each person to Family ChartMasters by uploading a computer genealogy file.

• Sending a compressed file is fastest. A backup or gedcom copy of your file is usually most compressed.
• If you have links to pictures in you genealogy file, it is best to send a backup copy of your genealogy file (usually a .zip file).
• If you aren't sending linked pictures, we prefer gedcom (.ged) files.
• When sending more than one or two pictures, it is best to zip them together into one file (a .zip file.)

• In most programs, a gedcom is made by clicking on the File menu (top left corner) and choosing Export or Save as. Then, choose gedcom in the Save As Type or Destination drop-down box.
• Remember what file folder you save your gedcom file in so you can upload it to us.
• Exporting a gedcom will not change your main file in any way.

• First, make sure your picture and scanner are free from lint or dust.
• Scan a photo that is about the size you want it to be on the chart at 600-1200dpi
• Scan a photo that you want to enlarge for the chart at 1200dpi.
• Keep file sizes to 30MB or smaller (before zipping). If the file is too large, scan at a lower resolution.
• Save the image as a .tiff or .png file. We prefer .tiff or .png over other types of graphic files. It is best not to compress the graphic at this stage. Especially avoid .lzw compression.
• Name the graphic with the name of the person, such as: Jamessmithjr.tiff or Dorothysweet.tiff. We will contact you by e-mail if we have questions.
• When sending more than one or two pictures, it is best to zip them together into one file (a .zip file.)

• With most genealogy software, you can link image files to each person. This helps Family ChartMasters know which picture to print with each person's information. · Usually the ability to link a picture can be found under a button with a camera icon on it. This button usually appears on the individual screen.
• Refer to your user's manual or help screens for instructions relating to your particular computer program.
• It doesn't matter which computer folder the image files are in when you create the links, but it helps if they are all in the same folder.
• You must always send the image files separately, as well as the genealogy file. It is best to zip the image files together into one file when you send them to us.
• If you have Ancestral Quest version 11 or 12 or PAFWiz (version 1.0 or 2.0) or Heritage Family Trees Deluxe, you can create a GEDCOM file with the option selected to "Encode Scrapbook Items." This will place the multimedia items right into the GEDCOM file so you only have to send one file.

• In Windows XP:

• Open your File Explorer or "My Computer" with your Start button.
• Choose the files you want to compress by holding the shift or control key and clicking on the file.
• Right click on the chosen files and select send to …Compressed (zipped) folder.
• A zipped folder will be created in the same folder your image files were in. Windows automatically names the zipped file the same name as one of the files you are compressing.

• In other Windows systems:

• Download a free zip software such as Zip Central (see http://www.snapfiles.com/get/zipcentral.html). Follow the instructions on how to create zipped files.

1. .tif or .tiff (Tagged Image File Format.) These have the least loss of quality. Don't compress, if possible. Especially avoid JPEG or LZW compression.
2. .png (Portable Network Graphic). This is a new type of file that retains quality well.
3. .bmp (Bitmap). These files retain good quality but are hard to send over the internet because they are much larger than other files.
4. .jpeg (Joint Photographic Experts Group). These files are smaller but lose a lot of quality in the image.
5. .gif (Graphics Interchange Format). These are ok for black and white pictures, but are highly compressed so they lose quality.

• .jpegs and .gifs are ok for use when a file is too large (more than 30MB) to use in a less compressed format (like .tiff or .png.)
• Once saved in these formats, image files can be zipped (compressed to a .zip file) without losing quality.

• Ancestral Quest www.ancquest.com
• Charting Companion for Ancestry Family Tree by progenysoftware.com
• Charting Companion for Ancestral Quest by progenysoftware.com
• Charting Companion for PAF by progenysoftware.com
• Charting Companion for Legacy by progenysoftware.com
• Family Tree Maker by www.myfamily.com
• GENP by www.genp.com.au
• PAFWiz by Incline Software www.pafwiz.com
• Rootsmagic and Rootsmagic Chart by Rootsmagic, Inc rootsmagic.com
• The Master Genealogist and Virtual Chartform by whollygenes.com
• Tree Draw Legacy by spansoft.org

• Ancestral Quest / PAF Wiz
• Ancestry Family Tree (AFT)
• Family Tree Legends
• Family Tree Maker
• GENP
• Heritage Family Tree
• Legacy
• Personal Ancestral File (PAF)
• Rootsmagic
• The Master Genealogist
• And, of course, regular Gedcom files.

If you have files in any other program, contact us by email using the email link below.

• If you have picture links in your file, we would prefer a backup or zipped copy of your file.
• If you don't have pictures you want to be printed, we prefer a gedcom file.