GeneaDesk
Structured Genealogy Research
The applications provided on this website may be used free of charge. They are developed and maintained with the greatest possible care.
Nevertheless, no guarantee can be given that the applications will always be error-free, complete, or suitable for a particular purpose. Their use is therefore entirely at the user's own responsibility.
To the extent permitted by law, no liability is accepted for any direct or indirect damage arising from the use of the applications.
Reports of errors, suggestions for improvement, and other feedback are always welcome.
GeneaDesk is a Windows application for managing, analyzing and researching genealogical information.
People, families, relationships, life events, places, sources and documents are combined in a local database. GeneaDesk extends traditional family-tree management with tools for structured genealogical research.
The focus is not limited to recording information that is already known. GeneaDesk helps researchers investigate open questions, compare information from different sources and document their research decisions.
From Family Tree Management to Genealogical Research
Genealogical research often involves conflicting dates, different name spellings, historical place names and information from many independent sources.
GeneaDesk provides a structured workspace for this process.
People and families can be connected, life events can be reviewed chronologically and sources can be associated with the corresponding genealogical facts. Research results are not automatically added to the local family tree. The researcher remains in control of every decision.
Online Research with FamilySearch
GeneaDesk 0.10 extends local genealogy research with online research capabilities.
A local GeneaDesk person can be linked to the corresponding person in the FamilySearch Family Tree. GeneaDesk can then retrieve available person, family, source and place information and compare it with the local research database.
Differences are highlighted without automatically modifying existing GeneaDesk information. Researchers can review the available evidence and selectively adopt information into their local research.
Record hints can also assist further investigation and guide the researcher to relevant records available through FamilySearch.
Comparison Instead of Automatic Synchronization
GeneaDesk deliberately avoids uncontrolled automatic synchronization.
For example, two sources may contain different birth dates for the same person:
GeneaDesk: March 12, 1887
Online source: March 13, 1887
GeneaDesk displays the difference instead of silently replacing either value. The researcher can examine the supporting sources and decide which information should be used.
The same principle applies to names, places, family relationships and sources.
Sources at the Center of Research
Genealogical information is only as reliable as the evidence supporting it.
GeneaDesk therefore provides structured management of sources and documents and connects them with people and life events. Sources discovered through online research can be reviewed before they are added to the local research database.
This helps preserve an important part of genealogical work: understanding where information came from and why it was accepted.
Place Authority and Historical Locations
Place names change over time. Municipalities merge, administrative boundaries change and the same location may appear under different names in historical records.
GeneaDesk's place management is designed to connect these variants with standardized geographic information while preserving historically meaningful names.
Online place services can assist with identifying and standardizing locations without removing the original historical context.
Research Log
GeneaDesk records not only research results but also the research process itself.
A research session can document the person being investigated, search parameters, repositories or sources already checked, rejected matches, useful findings and remaining research questions.
Even a search that produces no result therefore remains valuable: future research can see what has already been investigated.
Extensible Research Providers
FamilySearch is the first comprehensive online research provider integrated into GeneaDesk.
The GeneaDesk research architecture is also designed to support additional genealogy services. Providers such as Archion, Matricula and CompGen are planned or prepared for future integration.
GeneaDesk remains the local research workspace while external services provide additional research opportunities.
Your Local Research Data Remains Under Your Control
The local GeneaDesk database remains the researcher's primary data source.
Online information does not automatically modify the local family tree. Changes are reviewed and explicitly accepted by the user.
This makes it possible to investigate conflicting evidence and alternative hypotheses without silently overwriting existing research.
Who Is GeneaDesk For?
GeneaDesk is intended for genealogists who want to go beyond simple family-tree visualization.
It is particularly useful for larger family histories, systematic source research and projects where information from archives, historical documents and multiple online genealogy services needs to be evaluated together.