Guides
Practical help for building and keeping a family history.
Written for real families, not research jargon. Short, specific, and honest about what to expect.
Starting a tree
How to start a family tree when all you have are names and stories
You don’t need dates, records, or a finished pedigree to begin. The honest first hour, starting with one person.
Read the guide → ImportingHow to import a GEDCOM file — and what to review first
What GEDCOM actually carries, merge vs. replace, how duplicates are handled, and how to undo an import that doesn’t look right.
Read the guide → Family structuresBuilding a family tree that includes adoptive, step, blended, and chosen family
Most family-tree tools assume one tidy line down. Here’s how to record step, adoptive, blended, and chosen relationships as they actually happened.
Read the guide →