I have been trying to build my family tree with Gramps-Web as a newcomer for some time. Previously, I started the tree using Alberogen and the paid Ancestry service, and the tree quickly expanded through many additions in Ancestry. After three months of membership, I imported the tree into Gramps-Web via GEDCOM, as I want to host the tree on my own server.
While working with Gramps-Web, I repeatedly had to consult Gramps Desktop.
My impression and question now is:
You can only work efficiently with Gramps-Web if you are already familiar with Gramps Desktop. Only then does synchronization make sense. What do you think about this?
I’m also curious to hear what others think, but I’m especially interested in: what can be improved in Gramps Web itself and in the documentation to make it more accessible to beginners without desktop experience?
For me, a person page featuring the person, partner, children, siblings, father, mother, grandfather, and grandmother is best suited for assembling a family tree. This is what convinced me about Alberogen, along with its sophisticated visualizations and the optional help overlays. The range of genealogical “fineries” shouldn’t be too overwhelming at the beginning and could, for example, be brought to the forefront by switching to an “expert mode.” Unfortunately, Alberogen cannot be self-hosted, and many features (places, images, maps, internet links, DNA, etc.) are missing.
Therefore, I’m happy to stick with Gramps Web and thank you for your work. I also display my family tree for family members, friends, etc., in Alberogen. The GEDCOM export/import between Gramps Web and Alberogen works.
I took a screenshot of the Alberogen example page.
When you click on a person’s name, that person becomes the central figure and can be edited.
You can select from existing people or create new ones.
You don’t need to leave this view to build the entire family tree.
I could imagine something similar for Gramps Web, possibly in addition to the existing features.
I hope my screenshot is readable.
While it won’t look exactly like that in Gramps Web, there will soon be two ways to build the entire family tree without leaving a single view:
Creating individuals in the Ancestor Chart or Relationship Graph. This feature will likely be released in v26.5.1 in 1-2 weeks.
Creating parent/child relationships in the Individual View. There is an open feature request for this. Half of the work is already done, and this option most closely matches the view you shared. I expect this to arrive within the next 1-2 months.
