What is a GEDCOM file? For all of you that are new to Genealogy Research, GEDCOM is an acronym for Genealogical Data Communication; it's a method of formatting the text of your family data so that different software programs and operating systems can read and understand it. You can store those wall to wall files you have scattered here and there and place them on your computer, so you can do quick searches or copy onto a CD. It will write many different reports and help connect all the families you enter. I use the Personal Ancestral File by the LDS Church and best of all it's free. You can find thousands of family files in the GEDCOM format here at RootsWeb and at www.LDS.org. You just download the GEDCOM file and open it with the PAF software and it will change it into a workable PAF program. You can then upload (export) it to a site on RootsWeb or other sites, send it to someone via e-mail, place it on CD or print it out in the form of reports. You can even merge two GEDCOM files into one with just a click of the button, some files have thousands of names on them with dates, notes,sources and photos etc. It's the best thing since apple pie. You can find it and see for yourself at:
http://www.ldscatalog.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Category...

Then select:77065999 Personal Ancestral File 5.2.18.0 - Multi-Language (9.7 MB) Free, or there is an english only version.

You can also do a family search for yourself here or click on products then free software.
http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/default.asp

You can find more information on GEDCOM files at:
http://www.leisterpro.com/doc/Articles/GEDCOM101.html