webtrees is free, powerful, and open source genealogy software. It supports standard GEDCOM files, which means it’s compatible with most major desktop programs, and it comes with a lot of excellent management features.
However, Webtrees is self-hosted software, and it can be quite difficult to get started with – especially if you’ve never used self-hosted software before. In this guide, we have provided a complete step-by-step approach to installing and getting started with webtrees.
Before you can start using webtrees, you need to choose a web hosting provider (Opens in a new tab) for installation. Hosting provides the storage space, processing power, and other resources required to use the software. We have used Hostinger (Opens in a new tab)a great hosting option that usually offers very competitive pricing.
Even better, we were able to get our readers an exclusive deal that offers free web hosting from Hostinger!
One of the best things about Hostinger is that it includes an automatic installer that lets you install Webtrees (and many other scripts) in just a few clicks. You can find it on your hPanel dashboard, and the whole process is pretty self-explanatory. A full guide is available here (Opens in a new tab).
If you’re on a different host, you’ll likely still have access to a one-click installer like Softaculous (Opens in a new tab) or Installatron.com (Opens in a new tab). However, you may have to install Webtrees manually if your host does not support one-click installation.
Step 1: Start your first family tree
When you log into your webtrees account for the first time, you will be taken directly to the family tree creation page. You can skip that and head straight to your dashboard, but we recommend adding at least your family tree chart.
To do this, you just need to enter the name of the family tree, specify the URL and press the “Create” button. This will take you directly to the Manage Family Tree page, which enables you to start building your tree.
Step Two: Add Users
In the main webtrees dashboard, you will find a Users tab that allows you to add and manage other users. This is an especially useful tool if you are working on your family tree and want to collaborate with relatives, friends, and other interested parties.
Clicking the Add User link will take you to the new user creation page. Enter a name, username, password, and email address for your new team member, and hit the Save button to continue.
Next, you’ll be asked to select a number of profile settings, including time zone, language, theme, and more. You can also set access rights for each user. This includes visitor (no editing rights), editor (editing rights), admin (most permissions), and admin (all permissions).
Step 3: Set your family tree preferences
There are several settings you can customize for each family tree you create on Trees Web. You can find the list of preferences in the individual family tree admin panel.
Here, you can change the tree name, URL, and add contact information. You can also set many other preferences regarding how your family tree is displayed and what information is available.
Step 4: Add New Modules (If Necessary)
Another great thing about webtrees is the large library of modules. This basically enables you to add additional features and tools to your family tree website. There are hundreds of core units to choose from, including translations into dozens of different languages.
You can access these under the Modules tab on the main dashboard. Available units are cleverly categorized by type, allowing you to find the units you want in no time.
We suggest browsing through the modules library, uninstalling any you’re not likely to use (such as foreign languages), and adding anything that appeals to you.
Step 5: Start Building Your Tree!
By now, you should have most of the administrative work away, which means it’s time to start piecing together your family tree. If you are working with another program, you can import the GEDCOM file and start working with your existing data.
Alternatively, you can add new records directly from the Manage Family Tree page. Here, you can add individuals, notes, source information, and more. This page enables you to create new single lists and comes with plenty of data spaces, allowing you to enter birth, death, and other information.
There are a lot of tools out there, and it will take you some time to get to know them. We suggest browsing through the dashboard, spending some time learning the rest of the family tree building tools, and then putting them into practice to create your very own genealogy chart.
summary
Although it may seem like a lot of work to install and use Webtrees rather than one of the readily available alternatives, it’s definitely worth a look. We’ve provided a step-by-step guide to creating your family tree using web trees, outlining the basics you should know.
Check out our guide to the best web hosting (Opens in a new tab) Available today if you’re not sure if Hostinger is the right host for your needs. Or read our Hostinger review (Opens in a new tab) Find out why we rate this web host so highly.
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