How to use Wordpress to create a family history website

Main contributor: Jenny Hawran

Creating a family history genealogy website is a powerful way to preserve and share your family’s history. You can compile historical documents, photos, and stories in one location that is easy for everyone to find. In this article, we'll guide you through the steps to create a family history genealogy website using WordPress. WordPress is a versatile and free platform that requires no coding knowledge.

Step 1: Sign Up for WordPress

Create an account

Visit WordPress.com and click on "Get Started".
Enter your email address, choose a username, and create a password.
You can also sign up using your Google account.

Choose a plan

WordPress offers different plans, including a free option. For a basic family history site, the free plan will be a good place to start.
Select the free plan and complete the registration process.

Step 2: Select a theme

Browse themes

Once you’re logged in, you’ll be prompted to choose a theme. WordPress offers many free themes for different types of websites.
Look for a theme that offers a clean layout for displaying text, images, and possibly videos. WordPress has default themes that will show up first in your search.

Customize your theme

Click on the theme you like and select "Activate."
Go to the Customizer by clicking on "Customize" in the WordPress dashboard.
Customize the theme to fit the theme of your family history website. You can change colors, fonts, and the overall design to match the tone you want to set.

Step 3: Set up your pages

Home page

The home page is the first thing people will see, so make it welcoming and informative.
A good idea is to add a short introduction about the purpose of the website.. Give a quick overview of the family you are highlighting and what visitors can expect to find on the website.

Family Tree page

Create a dedicated page for your family tree.
Use a WordPress plugin like "TreePress" or "Genealogy Tree" to add a family tree chart. These plugins are easy-to-use to use.

Biography pages

Create individual pages for main family members or ancestors.
Include photos, birth and death dates, historical records, and personal stories.

Photo gallery

Create a photo gallery page to display family photos.
Use the built-in WordPress gallery feature or a choose a plugin to organize images by albums, such as different branches of the family or historical periods.

Blog or news page

Consider adding a blog or news page to share updates on your genealogy research.
Post articles about new findings, upcoming family reunions, or interesting historical facts.

Step 4: Add content

Text and images

Use the WordPress block editor (Gutenberg) to add content to your pages.
Add blocks for text, images, headings, and other media to fill your pages with your family history data.

Embedded content

Embed content from external sources, such as family tree software, documents like birth or death certificates, YouTube videos, or maps showing family migration patterns.
Use the embed block or paste the embed code directly into your content.

Links and downloads

Add links to other genealogy resources or family history websites.
Give your visitors something to download like a detailed family trees or genealogical reports.

Step 5: Publish and share your website

Review your site

Before publishing, proof-read your site for any errors or omissions.
Make sure all links work and that images and documents are correctly displayed.

Publish your website

Once you’re satisfied with your site, click the "Publish" button.
WordPress will guide you through the process of selecting a domain name. Make it easy to remember. For a professional look, you might want to consider purchasing a custom domain (e.g., www.yourfamilyhistory.com).

Share with family and researchers

Share the link to your website with family members.
Join genealogy forums and social media groups to connect with others researching your family and share your site.

Explore more about how to use Wordpress to create a family history website

For more detailed tutorials on building a blog or website and for help with using WordPress, check out these articles:

Creating a family history genealogy website with WordPress is a great way to preserve and share your family’s legacy. Happy family history hunting!