Genealogy help
The first thing you need is a website and knowledge of WordPress.
If you do not have a website and want to learn WordPress, join me with a free trial that allows you to learn the basics with your own website. For good order, leave me a message on your profile and let me know you are a genealogist.
Once you have a WordPress site and know how to handle it, this blog wants to help you with setting up a genealogy site.
Guidelines for setting up a WordPress Genealogy Website
| Question | Answer |
| What is the best strategy for setting up a genealogy site in WordPress? | Choose a genealogy theme, install relevant plugins, organize your content effectively, add multimedia content, use SEO best practices, enable social sharing, and keep your site up-to-date. |
| Some examples of genealogy themes for WordPress? | Ancestry, Family Tree, Genealogy, Roots, TreePress, My Family Tree, Legacy. |
| Some popular genealogy plugins for WordPress? | Family Tree Maker, Ancestry Tools, RootsPersona, Simple Family Tree, Genealogy Embedder, GEDCOM Import, Genealogical Records. |
| What does organizing content for a genealogy site involve? | Defining content categories, creating a sitemap, developing a content strategy, using descriptive titles and headings, adding tags and categories, and using multimedia content. |
| Some examples of relevant genealogy keywords? | Ancestors, family history, genealogy, family tree, descendants, GEDCOM, historical records, ancestry. |
Steps and strategies for setting up your genealogy site
Choose a WordPress theme
There are many WordPress themes available for genealogy sites. Look for a theme that has a clean and organized layout, allows for easy navigation, and has options for displaying family trees and historical documents.
Install genealogy plugins
There are several WordPress plugins that can help you manage and display your genealogy data. Some popular ones include “Family Tree Maker” and “Ancestry Tools.”
Organize your content
Before you start adding content to your site, create a plan for how you want to organize it. Determine what types of information you want to include, such as family trees, biographical information, and historical documents.
Create pages and posts
Use WordPress pages to create static content, such as an “About” page, a “Contact” page, and a “Family Trees” page. Use WordPress posts to publish new content, such as family stories, photos, and historical documents.
Add multimedia content
To make your genealogy site more engaging, consider adding multimedia content, such as photos, videos, and audio recordings.
Use SEO best practices
To help people find your genealogy site, make sure you use SEO best practices, such as adding relevant keywords to your content, using descriptive titles and meta descriptions, and creating internal and external links.
Enable social sharing
Allow your visitors to share your content on social media by adding social sharing buttons to your pages and posts.
Keep your site up-to-date
Make sure you regularly update your site with new content, such as family stories and historical documents. This will keep your visitors engaged and coming back for more.
The key to setting up a successful genealogy site in WordPress is to organize your content effectively, use relevant plugins and themes, and make your site engaging and easy to navigate.
| Step | Description |
| Choose a WordPress theme | Choose a genealogy theme that has a clean and organized layout, allows for easy navigation, and has options for displaying family trees and historical documents. |
| Install genealogy plugins | Install plugins that can help you manage and display your genealogy data, such as Family Tree Maker and Ancestry Tools. |
| Organize your content | Organize your content effectively by determining what types of information you want to include, such as family trees, biographical information, and historical documents, and create a plan for how you want to organize it. |
| Create pages and posts | Use WordPress pages to create static content, such as an “About” page, a “Contact” page, and a “Family Trees” page. Use WordPress posts to publish new content, such as family stories, photos, and historical documents. |
| Add multimedia content | Add photos, videos, and audio recordings to make your genealogy site more engaging and appealing to your visitors. Use multimedia content to supplement your written content and provide additional context and insights into your family history. |
| Use SEO best practices | Use relevant keywords in your content, titles, and metadata to help your site appear in search engine results. Use descriptive titles and headings to make it easy for your visitors to understand the content of each page or post. Use internal and external links. |
| Enable social sharing | Allow your visitors to share your content on social media by adding social sharing buttons to your pages and posts. |
| Keep your site up-to-date | Regularly update your site with new content, such as family stories and historical documents, to keep your visitors engaged and coming back for more. |
Examples of WordPress genealogy themes
Ancestry – A clean and simple genealogy theme that includes a family tree feature and support for multiple languages.
Family Tree – A modern and elegant genealogy theme that includes a customizable family tree feature, a photo gallery, and support for Google Maps.
Genealogy – A feature-rich genealogy theme that includes a family tree feature, support for GEDCOM files, and the ability to add biographical information for each family member.
Roots – A flexible and customizable genealogy theme that includes a family tree feature, support for multiple languages, and a blog section for sharing family stories.
TreePress – A user-friendly genealogy theme that includes a customizable family tree feature, support for social media sharing, and a built-in search feature.
My Family Tree – A responsive genealogy theme that includes a family tree feature, support for photo and video galleries, and the ability to add historical events for each family member.
Legacy – A simple and elegant genealogy theme that includes a family tree feature, support for custom post types, and the ability to add custom fields for each family member.
These are just a few examples of the many genealogy themes available for WordPress. Be sure to choose a theme that fits your needs and includes the features you want for your genealogy site.
Examples of WordPress genealogy plugins
Family Tree Maker – This plugin allows you to easily create and display interactive family trees on your site. You can customize the tree layout and add biographical information for each family member.
Ancestry Tools – This plugin allows you to import and export GEDCOM files, which are commonly used to transfer genealogy data between different software applications.
RootsPersona – This plugin allows you to display family trees, ancestor charts, and descendant charts on your site. It also includes support for custom post types and the ability to add biographical information for each family member.
Simple Family Tree – This plugin allows you to create and display simple family trees on your site. It includes options for customizing the tree layout and adding photos and biographical information.
Genealogy Embedder – This plugin allows you to embed genealogy data from websites such as Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org on your site. This is a useful feature if you want to display information from external sources on your site.
GEDCOM Import – This plugin allows you to import GEDCOM files into your WordPress site. This is useful if you want to transfer genealogy data from another software application or website.
Genealogical Records – This plugin allows you to create and display records of genealogical events, such as births, marriages, and deaths. It includes options for customizing the record layout and adding biographical information for each family member.
These are just a few examples of the many genealogy plugins available for WordPress. Be sure to choose plugins that fit your needs and complement the features of your genealogy theme.
Genealogy themes and plugins that match well, along with a brief description of what each plugin does
| Genealogy Theme | Matching Plugin | Description |
| Ancestry | Simple Family Tree | This plugin allows you to create and display simple family trees on your site. It includes options for customizing the tree layout and adding photos and biographical information. |
| Family Tree | Family Tree Maker | This plugin allows you to easily create and display interactive family trees on your site. You can customize the tree layout and add biographical information for each family member. |
| Genealogy | RootsPersona | This plugin allows you to display family trees, ancestor charts, and descendant charts on your site. It also includes support for custom post types and the ability to add biographical information for each family member. |
| TreePress | Genealogy Embedder | This plugin allows you to embed genealogy data from websites such as Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org on your site. This is a useful feature if you want to display information from external sources on your site. |
| My Family Tree | Genealogical Records | This plugin allows you to create and display records of genealogical events, such as births, marriages, and deaths. It includes options for customizing the record layout and adding biographical information for each family member. |
| Legacy | Ancestry Tools | This plugin allows you to import and export GEDCOM files, which are commonly used to transfer genealogy data between different software applications. It’s a useful feature if you want to transfer genealogy data from other software applications or websites to your site. |
I hope this table helps you find the best combination of themes and plugins to create an effective genealogy site! There are many different themes available, each with its own unique features, strengths, and weaknesses. I would recommend doing some research on genealogy themes that fit your needs and budget.
Factors to consider when evaluating different themes:
Pros
- Clean and organized layout
- Easy navigation
- Options for displaying family trees and historical documents
- Support for multimedia content such as photos and videos
- Responsive design that looks good on all devices
- Built-in search functionality
- Good customer support and documentation
Cons
- Limited customization options
- Limited features compared to more expensive themes
- May not be compatible with certain plugins or software
Price
- Some themes are free, while others may range from $20 to $100 or more, depending on the features and level of support offered.
When evaluating different genealogy themes, be sure to consider your budget, the features you need, and the level of support offered by the theme developer. Also, be sure to read reviews and feedback from other users to get an idea of their experience with the theme.
Some genealogy themes along with their pros, cons, and pricing
| Theme | Pros | Cons | Pricing |
| Ancestry | Clean and simple layout, supports multiple languages, includes a family tree feature | Limited customization options, may not be suitable for larger sites with more complex content | $59 |
| Family Tree | Modern and elegant design, customizable family tree feature, photo gallery, support for Google Maps | Limited customization options, may not be suitable for larger sites with more complex content | $49 |
| Genealogy | Feature-rich, includes a family tree feature, support for GEDCOM files, ability to add biographical information | Limited customization options, may not be suitable for larger sites with more complex content | $49 |
| Roots | Flexible and customizable, includes a family tree feature, support for multiple languages, blog section for family stories | Limited customization options, may not be suitable for larger sites with more complex content | $59 |
| TreePress | User-friendly, customizable family tree feature, support for social media sharing, built-in search feature | Limited customization options, may not be suitable for larger sites with more complex content | $49 |
| My Family Tree | Responsive design, family tree feature, support for photo and video galleries, ability to add historical events | Limited customization options, may not be suitable for larger sites with more complex content | $59 |
| Legacy | Simple and elegant design, family tree feature, support for custom post types | Limited customization options, may not be suitable for larger sites with more complex content, limited features compared to other themes | $59 |
The prices listed may change over time and may vary depending on factors such as promotions and discounts. It’s always a good idea to check the theme developer’s website for the most up-to-date pricing information.
Which theme is the best and why
It’s difficult to say which genealogy theme is the best, as it depends on your specific needs and preferences. However, I can provide a brief comparison of the themes we discussed to help you make an informed decision:
Ancestry: This theme has a clean and simple layout and includes a family tree feature. It also supports multiple languages. However, it has limited customization options and may not be suitable for larger sites with more complex content.
Family Tree: This theme has a modern and elegant design and customizable family tree feature. It also includes a photo gallery and support for Google Maps. However, it also has limited customization options and may not be suitable for larger sites with more complex content.
Genealogy: This theme is feature-rich and includes a family tree feature, support for GEDCOM files, and the ability to add biographical information. However, it also has limited customization options and may not be suitable for larger sites with more complex content.
Roots: This theme is flexible and customizable, includes a family tree feature, and supports multiple languages. It also has a blog section for family stories. However, it also has limited customization options and may not be suitable for larger sites with more complex content.
TreePress: This theme is user-friendly and has a customizable family tree feature. It also supports social media sharing and has a built-in search feature. However, it also has limited customization options and may not be suitable for larger sites with more complex content.
My Family Tree: This theme has a responsive design, a family tree feature, and support for photo and video galleries. It also has the ability to add historical events. However, it also has limited customization options and may not be suitable for larger sites with more complex content.
Legacy: This theme has a simple and elegant design, a family tree feature, and support for custom post types. However, it also has limited customization options and limited features compared to other themes.
Ultimately, the best genealogy theme for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences, as well as the type and amount of content you plan to include on your site. Be sure to evaluate each theme carefully and choose the one that best fits your needs and budget.
Limited customization options means that the theme may not offer as many options for modifying the appearance and functionality of your site. For example, the theme may have a set color scheme or font selection that cannot be easily changed. Alternatively, the theme may have limited options for customizing the layout or structure of your site, such as the number of columns or the placement of widgets.
Limited features compared to other themes means that the theme may not include as many built-in features or tools as other themes. For example, the theme may not have as many options for displaying family trees, or may not include support for certain plugins or software. This may limit your ability to add certain functionality to your site or to customize it to your liking.
While limited customization options and limited features may be a disadvantage for some users, they may also be beneficial for others who prefer a simpler, more streamlined approach to building their genealogy site. Ultimately, the decision of which theme to use will depend on your specific needs and preferences.
Organize content, plan and structure information
Organizing content for a genealogy site involves planning and structuring the information that you want to present on your website in a logical and intuitive way for your visitors. Here are some steps you can take to organize your content effectively:
Define your content categories: Start by identifying the types of content you want to include on your genealogy site, such as family trees, biographical information, historical documents, and family stories. Divide your content into categories that make sense for your family history, such as by family name, time period, or geographic location.
Create a sitemap: A sitemap is a visual representation of the pages and content on your site. Use a sitemap to plan the structure of your site and ensure that it is easy to navigate for your visitors. Include links to each of your content categories, as well as any other pages or posts you want to include on your site.
Develop a content strategy: Develop a plan for creating and publishing new content on your site. Decide on a schedule for adding new content, such as family stories, photos, and historical documents, and identify the family members who will be responsible for creating and submitting new content.
Use descriptive titles and headings: Use clear, descriptive titles and headings to make it easy for your visitors to understand the content of each page or post. Use keywords in your titles and headings to help your site appear in search engine results.
Add tags and categories: Use tags and categories to organize your content and make it easy for your visitors to find the information they are looking for. Use specific, relevant tags and categories to ensure that your content is easy to navigate.
Use multimedia content: Add photos, videos, and audio recordings to make your genealogy site more engaging and appealing to your visitors. Use multimedia content to supplement your written content and provide additional context and insights into your family history.
By following these steps, you can effectively organize your content and create a user-friendly genealogy site that showcases your family history and makes it easy for your visitors to explore and learn about your ancestors.
Use relevant genealogy keywords
When creating a genealogy site, using relevant keywords can help improve your site’s visibility in search engine results and make it easier for potential visitors to find your site. Here are some examples of relevant genealogy keywords:
Ancestors: This keyword is used to describe the family members who came before you and is often used in the context of tracing your family history.
Family history: This keyword is used to describe the stories, events, and relationships that make up your family’s past.
Genealogy: This keyword is used to describe the study of family history and lineage.
Family tree: This keyword is used to describe a visual representation of your family history, usually in the form of a tree diagram.
Descendants: This keyword is used to describe the family members who came after your ancestors and is often used in the context of tracing your family’s lineage through multiple generations.
GEDCOM: This keyword is used to describe a standardized file format used to exchange genealogical data between different software applications.
Historical records: This keyword is used to describe documents, photos, and other materials that provide historical context for your family history.
Ancestry: This keyword is used to describe the lineage and heritage of your family, usually in the context of tracing your family’s roots to a specific location or culture.
By including these keywords in your site's content and metadata, you can improve your site's visibility in search engine results and make it easier for potential visitors to find your site when searching for information about their own family history.
Are there webbuilders offering genealogy layouts
Yes, there are web builders that offer genealogy layouts and templates. These web builders provide an easy and user-friendly way to create a genealogy site without the need for any technical skills or knowledge of coding.
Here are some web builders that offer genealogy layouts and templates:
Wix: Wix is a popular web builder that offers a variety of templates for creating a genealogy site. These templates include features such as family trees, timelines, and photo galleries.
Squarespace: Squarespace is another web builder that offers templates specifically designed for genealogy sites. These templates include features such as family trees, biographical information, and historical timelines.
Weebly: Weebly is a web builder that offers templates for creating family tree sites. These templates include features such as customizable family tree layouts, photo galleries, and interactive timelines.
MyHeritage: MyHeritage is a genealogy website that also offers a web builder with genealogy-specific templates. These templates include features such as family trees, biographical information, and photo galleries.
Using a web builder can be a great option if you're new to website building and want an easy way to create a genealogy site. However, keep in mind that web builders may have limitations when it comes to customization and advanced functionality. If you need more control over the design and functionality of your site, you may want to consider using a WordPress theme and plugins instead.
Can you share your own experience with genealogy sites?
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