.AFT File Extension

Ancestry.com Family Tree Database

Developer	Ancestry.com
Popularity	Average rating 3.5 / 5. Vote count: 2
Category	Data Files
Format	.AFT
Cross Platform	Update Soon

What is an AFT file?

.AFT files, bearing the extension .aft, are proprietary data files associated with Ancestry.com’s family tree building and management platform.

They store a wealth of information regarding individuals, relationships, events, and other genealogical data, allowing users to construct, document, and share intricate family trees.

These files serve as the digital repository for users’ painstaking research, providing a structured framework for organizing and preserving familial lineage.

More Information.

The introduction of .AFT files marked a significant milestone in the evolution of online genealogy research. Prior to their inception, genealogical data was primarily stored in disparate formats or proprietary systems, posing challenges for collaboration, sharing, and long-term preservation.

.AFT files addressed these concerns by providing a unified, platform-agnostic format for storing and exchanging family tree data, empowering users to migrate their research seamlessly between Ancestry.com and other genealogy software applications.

Origin Of This File.

The genesis of .AFT files can be traced back to Ancestry.com, a pioneering online genealogy platform launched in 1996.

As Ancestry.com gained traction and popularity among genealogists and enthusiasts worldwide, the need arose for a standardized file format to facilitate the seamless exchange and preservation of family tree data.

Thus, .AFT files emerged as the preferred file format for exporting and importing family trees on the Ancestry.com platform, ensuring compatibility and consistency across users’ digital archives.

File Structure Technical Specification.

.AFT files adhere to a structured format designed to encapsulate various elements of genealogical data in a hierarchical manner.

The technical specifications of .AFT files may vary based on the version of Ancestry.com’s software and the features supported. Typical components of .AFT files include:

Individual Profiles: Each individual in the family tree is represented by a profile containing details such as name, birth date, death date, and other relevant information.
Relationships: The connections between individuals, including parent-child relationships, marriages, and other familial ties, are delineated within the file.
Events & Attributes: Significant life events, such as births, marriages, deaths, and other milestones, are recorded along with associated attributes and dates.
Media Attachments: .AFT files may include references to multimedia files, such as photographs, documents, and other archival material, linked to specific individuals or events.
Metadata: Additional metadata, such as source citations, notes, and annotations, may be embedded within the file to provide context and provenance for the included data.

How to Convert the File?

Converting .AFT files to alternative formats or platforms may be necessary to overcome compatibility constraints or leverage additional features. Several methods for converting .AFT files include:

Ancestry.com Export: Ancestry.com provides built-in functionality for exporting family trees in GEDCOM (Genealogical Data Communication) format, which is widely supported by other genealogy software applications. Users can export their family tree from Ancestry.com as a GEDCOM file and then import it into their desired software platform.
Third-party Conversion Tools: Various third-party software tools and utilities offer conversion capabilities for .AFT files, allowing users to convert them to alternative formats such as GEDCOM, CSV (Comma-Separated Values), or XML (Extensible Markup Language).
Manual Extraction & Transformation: In some cases, users may opt to manually extract data from .AFT files using text editors or scripting languages and then transform it into the desired format using custom scripts or data manipulation techniques.

Advantages And Disadvantages.

Advantage:

Comprehensive Data Storage: .AFT files offer a centralized repository for organizing and preserving vast amounts of genealogical data, facilitating robust family tree construction and analysis.
Interoperability: .AFT files enable seamless interoperability between Ancestry.com’s platform and other genealogy software applications, allowing users to migrate their data with ease.
Collaboration & Sharing: The standardized format of .AFT files facilitates collaboration and sharing among researchers, enabling the exchange of family tree data across different platforms and environments.

Disadvantage:

Proprietary Format: .AFT files are proprietary to Ancestry.com’s platform, limiting direct access and manipulation outside of the designated software ecosystem.
Version Compatibility: Compatibility issues may arise when attempting to import .AFT files into older or incompatible versions of genealogy software, necessitating updates or conversion steps.
Limited Flexibility: While .AFT files excel at storing structured genealogical data, they may lack the flexibility and extensibility required for specialized research or unconventional family tree formats.

How to Open AFT?
Open In Windows
Legacy Family Tree: Legacy Family Tree is a comprehensive genealogy software for Windows that supports the import and viewing of .AFT files.
RootsMagic: RootsMagic is another popular genealogy software available for Windows, offering robust features for managing and analyzing family tree data.
Family Tree Maker: Family Tree Maker, developed by Ancestry.com, is compatible with Windows and allows users to import and work with .AFT files seamlessly.

Open In Linux
Gramps: Gramps is an open-source genealogy software available for Linux that supports the import of .AFT files, providing a flexible platform for managing family tree data.
GeneWeb: GeneWeb is another option for Linux users, offering tools for building and sharing family trees, including support for .AFT file import.

Open In MAC
Reunion: Reunion is a popular genealogy software for macOS, providing extensive features for managing family tree data and supporting the import of .AFT files.
MacFamilyTree: MacFamilyTree is a genealogy application tailored for macOS users, offering intuitive tools for building and exploring family trees, including compatibility with .AFT files.
Heredis: Heredis is a genealogy software available for macOS that supports the import and manipulation of .AFT files, allowing users to create and manage their family trees with ease.

Open In Android
Ancestry: The Ancestry app for Android provides access to family trees created on Ancestry.com, including the ability to view and edit .AFT files directly from mobile devices.
FamilySearch Tree: FamilySearch Tree is another Android app that enables users to access and manage family tree data, with support for importing .AFT files for further exploration and collaboration.

Open In IOS
Ancestry: Similar to the Android version, the Ancestry app for iOS allows users to access and interact with family trees stored on Ancestry.com, including .AFT file compatibility.
FamilySearch Tree: The FamilySearch Tree app for iOS provides access to genealogical data and supports the import of .AFT files, offering a mobile platform for exploring family history.

Open in Others
Online Platforms: In addition to dedicated software applications, users can also access .AFT files through web-based interfaces provided by Ancestry.com and other online genealogy platforms, allowing for cross-platform compatibility and accessibility from any device with a web browser.