1997
New Personal Ancestral File Version Released
September 1997


“New Personal Ancestral File Version Released,” Ensign, Sept. 1997, 77–78

New Personal Ancestral File Version Released

The Church’s Family History Department has announced the release of a new DOS version of Personal Ancestral File® (PAF) 3.0, a computer program that helps users compile and organize family history information. Among major changes made to the software are several new features:

  • Larger data files that allow up to one million records

  • Longer name, data, and place fields

  • Diacritics and other special characters

  • Searches focusing on marriage information

  • Easy switching between data files

  • Easier data entry from the Small Pedigree screen (formerly known as Pedigree Search)

  • Ability to link a child to more than one family (adopted, guardian, etc.)

  • Ability to add and store sources

  • Ability to add notes to marriage records

  • Improved notes editor

  • Ability to correct Ancestral File™ records and submit corrections

  • Improved reports and charts

  • Improved use of the mouse

Users of the new PAF version can update and use data from previous versions of PAF. The new software is available for $15 to registered, nonregistered, and first-time users from the Salt Lake Distribution Center or a local Church distribution center.