Personal Ancestral File

Infobox_Software
name = Personal Ancestral File

caption = Screen shot of PAF v5.2
developer = FamilySearch
latest_release_version = 5.2.18.0
latest_release_date = release date and age|2002|7|23
operating_system = Windows
genre = Genealogy software
license = Freeware
website = [http://www.familysearch.org/ www.familysearch.org]

Personal Ancestral File or PAF is a genealogy software provided by FamilySearch, a website operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is available as freeware.

Personal Ancestral File is the personal computer version of Ancestral File, one of the genealogy databases that is available from FamilySearch. After typing names, dates, citations and source documents into the database, PAF allows users to sort and search the genealogical data, print various forms and charts, and share files with others in GEDCOM format. Personal Ancestral Files can also be read direcly into Legacy. It is also able to link images and other media files to the individual records. Also handles Unicode.

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", you may 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 FamilySearch is not committed to 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 a user to synchronize their database with New FamilySearch based upon the Person Identifier; it is unclear what role, if any, the AFN will play in synchronization.

PAF and Ancestral Quest

Personal Ancestral File has had several different versions released by FamilySearch, but the current the version for Windows began with an adaptation of Incline Software's Ancestral Quest program. The software was written by Gaylon Findlay, 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. Ancestral Quest has been developed separately, and is currently released as version 12, 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 has outlined a series of adaptations, allowing a user's PAF file to include information from FamilySearch's new online database, known as New FamilySearch. [Incline Software's press releases [http://www.ancquest.com/InclineSoftware.htm Press Release] ]

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. [Open source rumors about PAF [http://www.plug.org/pipermail/plug/2004-October/011522.html] ] 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. [The Death of PAF? [http://tech.lds.org/forum/showthread.php?p=10493] ]

ee also

*Comparison of genealogy software
*Genealogy software
*International Genealogical Index

References

External links

* [http://productsupport.familysearch.org/supportroot/eng/frameset_products.asp PAF support page] at FamilySearch.org
* [http://paftutorial.byu.edu/ Online Tutorial for Personal Ancestral File] from byu.edu