Editing GEDCOM (section)

==Data model==
GEDCOM uses a lineage-linked [[data model]] based on the [[Conceptual schema|conceptual model]] of the [[nuclear family]]. The family (<code>FAM</code>) record type is therefore the only source of links between the individuals (<code>INDI</code>) in the file, assigning parents (as <code>HUSB</code> and <code>WIFE</code>) and children (as <code>CHIL</code>) by referring to individuals' [[Unique identifier|unique ID]] numbers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The GEDCOM Standard Release 5.5: Data Model Chart |url=https://homepages.rootsweb.com/~pmcbride/gedcom/55gcmod.htm |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=homepages.rootsweb.com}}</ref> These historical origins are described in the 7.0 specification document: "The <code>FAM</code> record was originally structured to represent families where a male <code>HUSB</code> (husband or father) and female <code>WIFE</code> (wife or mother) produce <code>CHIL</code> (children)."<ref name=":0"/>

Although the links in a GEDCOM family record still use the original naming indicating a husband and a wife, the specification now states that "sex, gender, titles, and roles of partners should not be inferred based on the partner that the <code>HUSB</code> or <code>WIFE</code> structure points to" and that these individuals within a family structure are collectively referred to as 'partners', 'parents' or 'spouses'. A <code>FAM</code> record can also be used for "cohabitation, fostering, adoption, and so on, regardless of the gender of the partners."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2022-06-07 |title=The FamilySearch GEDCOM Specification |url=https://gedcom.io/specifications/FamilySearchGEDCOMv7.html#records |access-date=2022-07-21 |website=gedcom.io |language=en}}</ref>