For those who are new to genealogy a Family Tree refers to the Pedigree chart and is sometimes refered to as an Ancestor Chart. Gedcom is an acronym for Genealogical Exchange of Data Communication. As simply as I can I would describe Gedcom as a translator.
There are many different brands of computerized Genealogical Management Programs on the market today. Each software package, or program, is written in it's own format, or language. Gedcom is the translator for all of these programs. Gedcom translates almost any software language into a universally recognized format.
When downloaded or imported to your own genealogy program it will scan the information to see if it's language format is compatible with it's own. If not it will refuse to recognize the language and reject the import. If your program finds a gedcom file it translates that common language into it's own format for easier reading. Gedcoms enable genealogists everywhere to share their research by diskette or they can be downloaded or uploaded by way of Internet engines or email attachments.
Slave Conveyances of Bossier Parish, Louisiana."