Genea.app

Self-Hosted

Open-source self-hosted genealogy platform for family tree management

Overview

Genea.app is an open-source genealogy tool that lets users build, edit, and manage family trees with full data ownership. It supports GEDCOM import/export, rich media attachments (photos, documents), collaborative editing for family members, and privacy controls to restrict access. Deployable via Docker for simplified setup, it offers customizable tree views, ancestor/descendant charts, and event tracking (births, marriages, deaths). Ideal for users prioritizing privacy over third-party genealogy services.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  genea_app:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: genea-app
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

GEDCOM Import/Export
Rich Media Attachments
Collaborative Editing
Privacy Controls
Customizable Tree Views

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Genea.app hard to install?

No—Genea.app uses Docker for deployment, with official documentation providing step-by-step Docker Compose instructions. This makes setup accessible for users with basic technical knowledge.

? Is it a good alternative to Ancestry.com?

Yes for privacy-focused users: it offers core tree-building and GEDCOM features but lacks Ancestry’s public database. It excels at giving full control over your family data without subscriptions.

? Is it completely free?

Yes—Genea.app is open-source (e.g., MIT license) and free to self-host, use, and modify with no hidden costs or fees.

Top Alternatives

Ancestry.com Search Google

MyHeritage Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Open Source

Category Genealogy

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Full data ownership
⊕ Docker deployment support
⊕ No subscription fees
⊕ Open-source (modifiable)

Cons

⊖ Requires server/cloud hosting
⊖ Limited mobile app integration
⊖ Basic public database compared to SaaS alternatives