Personal Ancestral File Explained

Personal Ancestral File
Developer:FamilySearch
Discontinued:yes
Released:[1] [2]
Operating System:Windows, Macintosh
Latest Release Version:2002 (version 5.2.18.0), support discontinued [3]
Genre:Genealogy software
License:Freeware

Personal Ancestral File (PAF) was a free genealogy software program provided by FamilySearch, a website operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was first released in 1983, last updated in 2002, and formally discontinued in 2013. It allowed users to enter names, dates, citations and source information into a database, and sort and search the genealogical data, print forms and charts, and share files with others in GEDCOM format. PAF also linked images and other media files to individual records.

History

The history of PAF ran in parallel with the evolution of GEDCOM,[4] the de facto specification for GEnealogy Data COMmunication or exchange.

Version 2.3.1, released in 1994, was the last version written specifically for the Macintosh operating system, though PAF 5.2.18, written for Windows, can be installed on Apple Mac OS X using CrossOver Mac.

In 2004 there were speculations about PAF being made open-source.[5]

Version 5.2.18.0 began with an adaptation of Incline Software's Ancestral Quest program,[6] written by Gaylon Findlay.[7] Findlay has been involved in updates of PAF.[8] Ancestral Quest has been developed separately, although it retains much of the basic visual layout and file structure of PAF.

In June 2013, FamilySearch announced that, effective July 15, 2013, PAF would be discontinued, and that support and downloads would no longer be available.[9]

Releases (1984 - 2002)

The following is a selected release history:

Multilingual support

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://search.ldslibrary.com/article/view/2408003?q=PAF#2408085 Chapter 8: Automating the Records, BYU Studies, vol. 34 (1994), Number 2--1994
  2. http://genealogy.about.com/library/authors/uceastman1a.htm Early Genealogy Programs - The Humble Beginnings of Genealogy Software on the Computer
  3. https://familysearch.org/blog/en/personal-ancestral-file-is-discontinued/ Personal Ancestral File (PAF) Is Discontinued
  4. http://listserv.nodak.edu/cgi-bin/wa.exe?A2=ind0011C&L=GEDCOM-L&P=R645&I=-3&T=0 Subject:Timeline of GEDCOM versions and PAF
  5. Web site: Open-sourcing PAF . Bryan. Sant . PLUG - Provo Linux Users Group Mailing List. October 14, 2004 . https://web.archive.org/web/20061011170229/http://plug.org/pipermail/plug/2004-October/011522.html. 2006-10-11.
  6. Web site: Ancestral Quest . Ancquest.com . 2013-09-02.
  7. http://www.familyhistoryexpos.com/events/presenter.php?sid=77&eid=43 Gaylon Findlay
  8. http://productsupport.familysearch.org/supportroot/Eng/Frameset_Products.asp?ReqPg=EntryDetails.asp&entryid=Q105362563500365&version=1&FAQ=MACPAF&Product=MACPAF&Color=green&DisplayName=Personal+Ancestral+File+for+Macs Personal Ancestral File for Macs - Selected FAQ
  9. Web site: Personal Ancestral File (PAF) — . Familysearch.org . 2013-09-02.
  10. http://search.ldslibrary.com/article/view/2408003?q=PAF#2408085 Chapter 8: Automating the Records, BYU Studies, vol. 34 (1994), Number 2--1994
  11. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1984/06/news-of-the-church/personal-ancestral-file-new-genealogical-software-for-home-computers?lang=eng “Personal Ancestral File: New Genealogical Software for Home Computers,”
  12. http://newsarch.rootsweb.com/th/read/ROOTS/1990-10/0657159426 RootsWeb: ROOTS-L Re: Genealogical Programs From: Cliff Manis
  13. http://www.nesgs.org/~ancestree/vol07/v07n3p083.htm NSGS--NEBRASKA ANCESTREE Vol VII, no. 3, page 83 - Winter 1984-5
  14. Kathleen Lubeck, “The Church and Computers: Using Tools the Lord Has Provided,” Ensign, June 1984, p. 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.'"
  15. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1986/07/news-of-the-church/new-genealogy-software-available-for-computers?lang=eng “New Genealogy Software Available for Computers,”
  16. http://newsarch.rootsweb.com/th/read/ROOTS/1990-10/0657131028 RootsWeb: ROOTS-L Re: Genealogical Programs
  17. http://search.ldslibrary.com/article/view/2408003?q=Personal%20Ancestral%20File%20(PAF)#2408086 "Chapter 8: Automating the Records, BYU Studies, vol. 34 (1994), Number 2--1994
  18. Lori Stephenson Dawson, “Even in an Ordinary Ward,” New Era, November 1987, p. 9: "Personal Ancestral File (release 2.0) is available in versions for MS-DOS computers, Apple computers, and CP/M computers."
  19. R. Scott Lloyd, "Family history data can now be submitted on computer diskette", Church News, 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,"
  20. R. Scott Lloyd, "Upgraded software soon available for home-computer genealogy", Church News, November 18, 1989: "For now, Release 2.2 is only available in a version for MS-DOS (IBM-compatible) computers."
  21. https://www.thechurchnews.com/archive/1994-01-08/upgraded-personal-ancestral-file-available-6881 "Upgraded Personal Ancestral File available"
  22. http://www.l-ags.org/tracer/vol_xiii5.htm PAF 2.3 Still Has Problems!
  23. http://www.byui.edu/ce/assets/documents/familyhistory_handout_boise_08/PAF_5_Tips_and_Tricks1.pdf Personal Ancestral File 5 Tips and Tricks
  24. Web site: Personal Ancestral File for Macs - Selected FAQ . FamilySearch.org . 2013-09-02 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120211135905/http://productsupport.familysearch.org/supportroot/Eng/Frameset_Products.asp?ReqPg=EntryDetails.asp&entryid=Q100350894102954&version=2&FAQ=MACPAF&Product=MACPAF&Color=green&DisplayName=Personal+Ancestral+File+for+Macs . 2012-02-11 .
  25. https://www.thechurchnews.com/archive/1997-06-07/church-releases-new-paf-version-for-computers-11360 "Church releases new PAF version for computers"
  26. https://www.thechurchnews.com/archive/1999-07-10/newest-paf-version-available-on-internet-15952 "Newest PAF version available on Internet"
  27. http://www.ancquest.com/aqpaf.htm Ancestral Quest - Program Description - PAF Compatibility
  28. http://www.ancquest.com/faqs.htm FAQS - "Is there a relationship between PAF and Ancestral Quest?
  29. https://www.thechurchnews.com/archive/2001-03-24/software-upgrade-makes-names-easier-to-submit-to-temple-19386 "Software upgrade makes names easier to submit to temple"
  30. http://www.ancestry.com/learn/library/article.aspx?article=3145 PAF 5.0
  31. https://www.thechurchnews.com/archive/2001-06-16/key-new-features-now-on-paf-5-0-19936 "Key new features now on PAF 5.0"
  32. http://www.svpafug.org/palmrevw2.html GedStar and MyRoots, Can You Have It All in One Palm OS Handheld Database?
  33. http://www.ancestry.com/learn/library/article.aspx?article=8848 Palm OS Genealogy Viewers
  34. http://www.ancestry.com/learn/library/article.aspx?article=3748 GedStar Version 4.0
  35. http://ghcssoftware.com/gsindex.htm GedStar
  36. https://www.thechurchnews.com/archive/2002-08-10/updated-paf-5-2-available-22102 "Updated PAF 5.2 available"

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