Gramps

Build a family tree with events, places, notes and supporting records. Linking claims to sources makes it easier to review your research instead of keeping names in disconnected documents.

Use Zotero to organise publications and citations supporting your family research; keep the actual family tree in Gramps.

When it is useful

Gramps becomes useful when family research grows beyond a list of names. A person can be connected to events, places, relatives and documentary evidence, letting you revisit why a date or relationship was entered. For example, a census entry and a family recollection may disagree. Recording each source and the uncertainty is more informative than silently replacing one date with another, and gives future research a clear starting point.

A practical way to get started

Begin with a small, well-understood family group. Add a few people, one relationship and an event supported by a document you already have. Attach a citation and a note explaining what the document actually establishes. Then try a report and a backup before importing a large tree. If you import GEDCOM data, inspect a sample of people, notes and media links rather than assuming that every field transferred exactly as intended.

What to consider before choosing

Gramps organises evidence; it does not automatically establish that an inherited family tree is correct. Consistent names, places and source references still need editorial work. Keep media files with your backup plan and test recovery into a separate tree. Before sharing a report, review which details about living people are included. Choose Gramps when you want detailed control of the research, with time to maintain the records behind the chart.