What is Geneapedia?

The idea is to create a Wikipedia of genealogical information - a database where anyone can enter or modify information, but with a strong focus on sources and reliability. The ultimate goal for Geneapedia is to become the leading collection of genealogical lineage-linked information - and the natural starting point for doing your own research.

What is the difference between Geneapedia and other databases available on the Internet?

  • In Geneapedia no one "owns" the information. Anyone can change any data (login is required). Source information can be added to all details, not only on person level. Information without any source reference are marked as unreliable.
  • If the sources are in disagreement, you can easily add the conflicting information in Geneapedia. If new evidence turns up, you or other genealogists can review the information and hopefully solve the conflict.
  • Pdf reports are available. The reporting module is being developed and improved.
  • It is not possible to upload GEDCOM files. Although this may be frustrating for some, such uploading is causing several issues in other databases: Frequent duplicates, unreliable and undocumented material, and endless repetition of old mistakes, making it almost impossible to get rid of those old issues.

If you would like to participate in improving Geneapedia in any way, please send an email to contact@cosoft.org.

What does the database contain?

The database contain data from several countries, although more from Norway than other countries. Some highlights are:

  • Norway/Gjesdal: Most people living in the Gjesdal parish around 1600-1900.
  • Norway/Ryfylke: Some families from Ryfylke.
  • Norway/Bergen: Bryning, Danchertsen, von Erpecom, Faye, Friele, Gewerdt, Gram, Grieg, Heitmann, Jordan, de Lange, Lexau, Martens, Meyer, Middelstorp, Nagel, Rulffs, Stemann, Wallace, Weinwich, and many other families.
  • Scotland: Nobility from the middle ages until around 1700. Bruce, Douglas, Erskine, Forbes, Fraser, Gordon, Hamilton, Kennedy, Kincaid, Ogilvy, Stewart, and many more.
  • Orkneys and Shetland (15-1600s): Bruce, Gifford, Mowat, Pitcairn, Sinclair, Strang.
  • Denmark: Nobility from 1600s and before.
  • Germany: Titled nobility mostly before 1800.

Featured person

James Hepburn (in or before 1535-14 April 1578), 4. Earl of Bothwell

Duke of Orkney from 12 May 1567. Hereditary Sheriff of Edinburgh and of Berwick, Bailie of Lauderdale, and Great Admiral of Scotland from 1556. 4. Earl of Bothwell.Born in or before 1535. Died 14 April 1578 Dragsholm Castle, Dragsholm, Fårevejle, Odsherred, Sjælland, Denmark.

Read more

A simple descendant report is now available

It is now also possible to select paper size and orientation for both the ancestor and the descendant reports. More reports are coming, as well as more common options like index and source register.

2021-05-16

Reports are being added

A reporting module is being developed. So far, a simple ancestor list with up to 10 generations is available. More reports and more reporting features will be added. You must be logged in to generate reports.

2021-04-13

Source references for images

It is now possible to add source references for images. It's not mandatory and the image will not be regarded as bad quality if there is no source reference.

2021-03-28