Personal Ancestral File (PAF)

We are so blessed to live at a time when technology is available to us. Keeping genealogical information organized is simple with the many genealogical data management programs available. For beginners I recommend using the free Personal Ancestral File or PAF program. You may download this program by following the instructions found on the lower half of the homepage at FamilySearch.org.

PAF is a very basic genealogical management program that has not been updated for years. The PAF program was used as the basis for developing the many advanced genealogical programs now available. I use the PAF program with my students for two reasons, the first is that is it very simple the second it is free.

The Center for Family History and Genealogy at BYU has a PAF lesson: http://261.byu.edu/lesson2.html