Compressed genealogy backup created by older Family Tree Maker software
File type: Backup file
FBC is a proprietary compressed backup format used by older versions of Family Tree Maker to store genealogy databases. It is intended for restoring family tree data rather than for general-purpose archive extraction or direct editing.
FBC files are associated particularly with the MS-DOS releases of Family Tree Maker. Compatible versions of the program can restore the backup; newer editions may require an intermediate conversion. The uncompressed backup format uses the FBK extension.
File type category:
Backup file
Date updated: September 30, 2026
The FBC format was used by historical releases of Family Tree Maker, genealogy software distributed by companies including Banner Blue and Brøderbund. It packages family tree information as a compressed, application-specific backup.
An FBC file may contain the genealogy database and other backup information supported by the originating program version. Its internal structure is proprietary, so changing the filename extension or opening it with a standard archive utility generally will not produce a usable family tree.
The format is especially associated with the MS-DOS version of Family Tree Maker, including older releases such as version 3.02. Compatibility depends on the program version that created the backup, and current editions may not directly support every legacy FBC file.
The usual migration path is to restore the backup with a compatible release of Family Tree Maker and export the recovered tree as GEDCOM. GEDCOM can then be imported into current genealogy applications such as Family Tree Maker, RootsMagic or Legacy Family Tree, although program-specific information, media links or formatting may not transfer completely.
Use the version of Family Tree Maker that created the backup, or an older compatible release, and choose its Restore, Recover or backup-restore command. Make a copy of the original file before attempting recovery and do not save over the original backup.
FBC support is primarily associated with legacy Windows and MS-DOS software. Windows users may need to install an older compatible Family Tree Maker release; macOS and Linux users may need to run compatible Windows software in a virtual machine or use another system. There is no broadly supported modern Linux application for directly opening this format.
To convert an FBC backup, restore it in a compatible version of Family Tree Maker, then export the recovered database to GEDCOM. The GEDCOM file can be imported into current genealogy programs and, where supported, saved in their native formats.
General online converters normally do not support this proprietary legacy format. Desktop genealogy software is the safer option, particularly because family records may contain sensitive information and direct conversion can omit media, sources or other program-specific data. Keep the original FBC file until the converted tree has been fully checked.
Software apps that create fbc files:
Microsoft Windows
Software apps that backup fbc files:
Microsoft Windows
Software apps that recover fbc files:
Microsoft Windows
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