Are you looking for a way to bring your family together and create a family tree that they can contribute memories, photos and videos?  Well, there is a simple solution with the web application Geni. There are plenty of sites out there where you can publish your family tree for public consumption but for some family members they don’t want their information floating around in internet space for the world to see.  Geni, on the other hand, is a private family tree where members are invited through their email addresses.  Best of all it is free!

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Geni describes itself as follows.

Geni lets you create a family tree through our fun simple interface. You can expand your tree by adding relatives’ email addresses. They will be invited to join your tree and can add other relatives. Your tree will continue to grow as relatives invite other relatives.

Each family member has a profile which can be viewed by clicking their name in the tree. This helps family members learn more about each other and stay in touch. Family members can also share photos and work together to build profiles for common ancestors.

Geni is private. Only the people in your family tree can log in to your tree and your profile. Geni will not share your personal information with third parties. We will not sell your email address or spam you. Users control which communications they would like to receive from us.

Creating Family Tree & GEDCOM Import

 

I started using Geni about 6 months ago with a tree consisting of immediate family and first cousins.  I sent out invitations and family members joined the site but we really weren’t using it to full capacity.  Basically we were all getting email announcements of family birthdays.

To start a family tree all you need to do is join, put in your information and then add family members.  For living family members you can invite them by putting in their email address.  They can then add more family members and invite them to join. Here’s a brief tutorial that shows you how easy it is.

 

Last week though I found out that I could import a GEDCOM file which I created from the family tree I had put together a few years ago with Family Tree Maker.  I was ecstatic!  My family tree went from close family to ancestors to now going back to my 8th great grandfather on my mother’s side and over 700 family members.  Wow!  To learn how to import your GEDCOM file into an existing tree see this forum post, HOW TO: Merge your GEDCOM file(s) into your EXISTING tree.  It sounds complicated but it actually was pretty easy. 

Or, if you are creating a new tree the process is this simple:

Importing your GEDCOM is easy:

  1. Go to the GEDCOM Import page.
  2. Fill out the form and upload your GEDCOM file.
  3. Indicate who you are in your file.
  4. You’re done!

Features

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  • Privacy.  I think this is the most important feature in Geni.  Each family member has the ability to control who sees their profile from immediate family only to distant relatives.
  • Unlimited space to upload photos and videos.  This is great, especially since the site is free.
  • Tag photos and videos identifying family members.  With photos you can choose a face and assign it to a specific family member.  Neat!
  • Populated Home Page.  Upon signing in the user is brought to a home page that shows Family News, Family Stats and Recently Online.  The Family News section is great showing birthdays, anniversaries, recent photo and video additions, discussion topics and comments left by family members.
  • Discussion Board.  Start discussions with family members from highlighting upcoming events to questions about heritage. 
  • Inbox. Family members can send you messages that you will receive in your online inbox.
  • Tree or List View.  Browse family members either in tree or list view.
  • Look up ancestors either by searching for specific ancestors or through an index.

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In my opinion Geni is great!  Not only does it help you build a family tree it also promotes bringing family together through photos, videos, events and discussions.  Over the last week I have generated a lot of interest from family members by adding photos and videos as well as inviting cousins who then are adding husbands and children to our tree.  It’s very exciting.

Are you using an online genealogical tool?  Do you have concerns about privacy?  Is Geni the web application for you?