Genealogy software

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Genealogy software is computer software used to collect, store, sort, and visualize genealogical data. Genealogy software will often generate kinship charts based on the data entered.

At a minimum, genealogy software tends to collect the following information:

For everyone:

Name
Birthdate
Birthplace
Mother
Father
Gender

For marriages:

Names
Date
Place
Date of divorce (if applicable)

For deaths:

Name
Date
Place
Widow/er

Most programs allow the user to record the source(s) of the information which has been entered. Many allow for additional biographical information, either specific such as occupation or cause of death, or in as a free format note.

There are a wide range of programs offering a host of features.

1 Features
2 Sharing
3 Types
4 See also
5 External Links

[edit] Features

Certain programs are geared towards specific religions, and will include additional fields relevant to that religion. Other programs focus on certain geographical regions. For example, having a field for the family's coat of arms is only relevant if the family comes from a part of the world that uses them.

Some programs allow for the import of digital photographs. Others focus on the ability to generate kinship charts. Some programs are more flexible than others in allowing for the input of same sex marriages and children born out of wedlock.

There is currently a move to incorporate fields for the input of genealogical DNA test results, though this information can be added into the "Notes" field of almost all genealogy software.

[edit] Sharing

Most genealogy software will allow for the export of data in the GEDCOM format, which can then be shared with people using different genealogy software. Certain programs allow the user to restrict what information is shared, usually by removing information about living people for privacy purposes.

[edit] Types

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Main article Comparison of genealogy software

Below is an alphabetical list of genealogy software.

[edit] Windows

[edit] Macintosh

[edit] Linux

[edit] Java (cross-platform)

GenealogyJ a viewer and editor for genealogic data, suitable for hobbyist, family historian and genealogy researcher. GenJ supports the GEDCOM standard, is written in Java and offers many views like family tree, table, timeline, geography and more. {site visited 2006-04-14}

[edit] Web-based utilities allowing GEDCOM input

[edit] Webserving (available for multiple operating systems)

GeneWeb: Site for acquiring software that can be installed on a webserver, in which case Common Gateway Interface mode can be invoked, or on a local PC, in which case it functions as its own webserver. The software is free.
PhpGedView: Can import from GEDCOM files, and supports multimedia like photos and document images.