{{Short description|Free web-based genealogy software}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox software | name = webtrees | logo = Webtrees logo.png | screenshot = W124.png | caption = webtrees 1.2.4 | author = Greg Roach and John Finlay | developer = Greg Roach and the webtrees team | released = {{Start date and age|2010|08|26|df=yes}}<ref name="history">{{cite web |title=webtrees Wiki:History |url=http://wiki.webtrees.net/History |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202030841/http://wiki.webtrees.net/History |archive-date=2 December 2010 |access-date=27 May 2026}}</ref> | latest release version = 2.2.6 | latest release date = {{Start date|2026|04|29|df=yes}}<ref name="release226">{{cite web |date=29 April 2026 |title=Release 2.2.6 |website=GitHub |url=https://github.com/fisharebest/webtrees/releases/tag/2.2.6 |access-date=27 May 2026}}</ref> | programming language = PHP, JavaScript | operating system = Web server | genre = Genealogy software | license = GPL-3.0-or-later<ref name="github">{{cite web |title=fisharebest/webtrees |website=GitHub |url=https://github.com/fisharebest/webtrees |access-date=27 May 2026}}</ref> | website = {{URL|https://webtrees.net}} | repo = {{URL|https://github.com/fisharebest/webtrees}} }}

'''webtrees''' is free and open-source web-based genealogy software. It is written in PHP and JavaScript, runs on a web server, and is designed for collaborative editing and publication of family-history data. The software works with GEDCOM files and can be used for private family trees or shared online genealogy projects.

webtrees was created in 2010 as a fork of PhpGedView. Genealogy-software writers and reviewers covered the first release as a successor to PhpGedView, and later coverage has described it as an actively maintained collaborative genealogy web application.

== History ==

webtrees was created in 2010 after several PhpGedView developers moved development away from SourceForge during disputes over access restrictions and export-control handling.<ref name="sf-pgv">{{cite web |date=10 February 2010 |title=PGV blocked in Cuba, Syria, etc |website=SourceForge |url=https://sourceforge.net/p/phpgedview/discussion/185165/thread/9b3c4b7d/ |access-date=27 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="sf-future">{{cite web |date=18 February 2010 |title=Future of PGV |website=SourceForge |url=https://sourceforge.net/p/phpgedview/discussion/185165/thread/0f9f598d/ |access-date=27 May 2026}}</ref> It was the second major fork of PhpGedView, after Genmod.<ref name="genmod">{{cite web |date=24 October 2005 |title=A new start... |website=SourceForge |url=https://sourceforge.net/p/genmod/news/2005/10/a-new-start/ |access-date=27 May 2026}}</ref>

In July 2010, Dick Eastman introduced webtrees in ''Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter'' as a new web-based genealogy program.<ref name="eastman2010">{{cite web |last=Eastman |first=Dick |date=26 July 2010 |title=WebTrees - a New Web-based Genealogy Program |website=Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter |url=http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2010/07/webtrees-a-new-webbased-genealogy-program.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204024509/http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2010/07/webtrees-a-new-webbased-genealogy-program.html |archive-date=4 February 2014 |access-date=27 May 2026}}</ref> On the day version 1.0.0 was released, Tamura Jones reviewed webtrees and compared it with PhpGedView.<ref name="tamura2010">{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Tamura |date=26 August 2010 |title=Webtrees - web genealogy |website=Modern Software Experience |url=https://www.tamurajones.net/Webtrees.xhtml |access-date=27 May 2026}}</ref> Jones later gave webtrees an honorable mention in the 2010 GeneAwards, describing it as a faster and cleaner successor to PhpGedView.<ref name="geneawards2010">{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Tamura |date=31 December 2010 |title=The GeneAwards 2010 |website=Modern Software Experience |url=https://www.tamurajones.net/GeneAwards2010.xhtml |access-date=27 May 2026}}</ref>

== Features ==

webtrees is designed to run on a web server and be accessed through a browser. It supports collaborative editing, privacy controls, media handling, and GEDCOM import and export.<ref name="tamura2010" /><ref name="gsw2024">{{cite web |last=O'Connor |first=Chad |date=25 November 2024 |title=webtrees 2.1.21 and webtrees 2.2.0 |website=GenealogySoftware.net |url=https://genealogysoftware.net/online/webtrees-2-1-21-and-webtrees-2-2-0/ |access-date=27 May 2026}}</ref>

The 2.2 branch moved webtrees toward newer PHP features and raised the minimum PHP requirement, while the 2.1 branch remained available for older hosting environments.<ref name="gsw-php2024">{{cite web |last=O'Connor |first=Chad |date=3 October 2024 |title=webtrees 2.2 PHP Changes |website=GenealogySoftware.net |url=https://genealogysoftware.net/online/webtrees-2-2-php-changes/ |access-date=27 May 2026}}</ref><ref name="gsw2024" /> Version 2.2.6 was released on 29 April 2026.<ref name="release226" />

== See also ==

* Comparison of genealogy software * Comparison of web-based genealogy software * GEDCOM * PhpGedView

== References ==

{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

* {{Official website|https://webtrees.net}} * {{GitHub|fisharebest/webtrees}}

{{Genealogy software}} {{Authority control}}

Category:Free genealogy software Category:Free software programmed in PHP Category:Software forks Category:Software using the GNU General Public License Category:2010 software