Choose the desired import mode (see below for details).
Click “Next“.
3. Monitor Progress
Watch the progress bar.
The import runs automatically in chunks.
Do not close the browser window until complete.
4. Review Results
Check the import summary.
Review any errors or warnings.
View your newly imported tree data.
Import Modes
Mode
Best For
Behavior
Notes
Update Tree (Recommended)
Regular updates, preserving manual edits.
Fills empty fields only, keeps existing data intact.
Safest option for ongoing maintenance.
Replace Tree
Starting fresh, major corrections.
Deletes ALL existing data first, then imports everything from scratch.
⚠️ WARNING: Cannot be undone. Use for a clean slate.
Add Only
Merging data, avoiding duplicates.
Only adds new records, skips existing records completely.
Never modifies existing data. Use for combining multiple GEDCOM files.
Event Handling
Setting
Status
Description
Import Custom Events
Checked
Imports specialized event types from your genealogy software.
Unchecked
Only imports standard GEDCOM events.
Import All Events
Checked (Recommended)
Imports all event data.
Unchecked
Skips all event data.
Advanced Options
Media Handling
Do not import media: Skips all media references.
Import media links only: Imports references but not the actual files (Recommended).
Performance Settings
Setting
Options
Effect
Processing Chunk Size
5,000 lines
Conservative (slower, more stable).
10,000 lines
Balanced (Recommended).
15,000 lines
Maximum performance (faster, requires good server).
Smart Import Optimization
Enabled (Recommended)
Automatically adjusts chunk sizes up to 25,000 lines based on server performance.
Disabled
Uses fixed chunk size only.
Import Speed & File Size Guidelines
⚠️ Important: These are conservative estimates based on average shared hosting (2GB RAM). Your actual times may be 2-3x faster on dedicated servers or VPS hosting.
File Size
Records
Individuals
Families
Import Time (Est.)
Recommended Settings
Small Imports (Fast)
100 KB
100–200
50–100
20–40
10–20 seconds
Default
1 MB
1,000–1,500
500–750
200–300
1–2 minutes
Default
Medium Imports (Moderate)
5 MB
5,000–7,000
2,500–3,500
1,000–1,400
5–8 minutes
Default
10 MB
10,000–12,000
5,000–6,000
2,000–2,500
10–15 minutes
Smart Optimization
Large Imports (Slower)
20 MB
20,000–25,000
10,000–12,500
4,000–5,000
20–30 minutes
15K Chunk + Smart
50 MB
50,000–60,000
25,000–30,000
10,000–12,000
50–75 minutes
15K Chunk + Smart
Very Large Imports (Contact Support)
100 MB+
100,000+
50,000+
20,000+
2+ hours
Contact support
Character Encoding & Special Characters
⚠️ Best Practice: Fix Encoding BEFORE Import
While LineagePress has a built-in character encoder, ensuring your GEDCOM file uses UTF-8 encodingbefore importing is the most reliable way to prevent potential issues with special characters.
Common Encoding Issues
Accented characters (é, ñ, ü) appear as “ or ?.
Non-English names or special symbols are corrupted.
How to Fix Encoding
Option
Method
Details
1. Export as UTF-8 (Recommended)
Use your genealogy software’s export options.
Select “UTF-8” or “Unicode” when creating the GEDCOM file.
2. Convert with Text Editor
Use a code editor like Notepad++ (Windows) or TextEdit (Mac).
Open the file, go to the Encoding menu, and select “Convert to UTF-8.”
3. Verify Encoding
Open the GEDCOM file in a text editor and check the header:
The header should be 1 CHAR UTF-8. If it says ANSEL, ANSI, or ASCII, it needs to be converted.
GEDCOM Version Support
LineagePress automatically handles the following conversions transparently:
GEDCOM 5.5 / 5.5.1: Automatically migrated to 7.0 format upon import.
GEDCOM 7.0: Direct import (fastest).
Troubleshooting
Problem
Cause & Solution
Import Fails Immediately
Check: File is valid .ged format, a Tree is selected, and encoding is UTF-8. Try: Smaller chunk size (5,000).
Import Stalls/Freezes
Check: Server timeout settings. Try: Disable Smart Optimization or reduce Chunk Size.
Missing Data
Check: Import mode (did you use Update Tree when you meant to use Replace Tree?). Review: Import warnings/errors.
Duplicate Records
Cause: Multiple imports were run using the “Add Only” mode. Solution: Use “Replace Tree” to wipe and start fresh.
Memory Errors
Try: Smallest chunk size (5,000) or disable Smart Optimization. Contact: Hosting provider to increase PHP memory limit (recommended 256MB).
Best Practices
Before Import
✅ Backup your database.
✅ Convert GEDCOM to UTF-8 encoding (prevents character issues).
✅ Create a test tree first.
✅ Validate your GEDCOM file in your genealogy software.
✅ Verify GEDCOM header shows 1 CHAR UTF-8.
During Import
✅ Keep the browser window open.
✅ Do not navigate away or refresh the page.
✅ Monitor the progress bar.
After Import
✅ Review the import summary.
✅ Check for errors/warnings.
✅ Verify key records for accuracy.
✅ Run post-import utilities (if available).
Performance Tips
Goal
Recommendations
For Large Files (> 20 MB)
1. Enable Smart Import Optimization. 2. Use 15,000 chunk size. 3. Import during low-traffic hours. 4. Ensure adequate server resources.
For Slow Servers
1. Use 5,000 chunk size. 2. Disable Smart Optimization. 3. Consider splitting large GEDCOMs.
For Maximum Speed
1. Use GEDCOM 7.0 format (avoids migration). 2. Enable Smart Optimization. 3. Use 15,000 chunk size. 4. Ensure PHP memory limit 256MB.
Common Questions
Question
Answer
How long does import take?
It varies: Small (< 1 MB): 10 seconds – 2 minutes. Medium (1–10 MB): 2–15 minutes. Large (10–50 MB): 20–75 minutes. See table above for benchmarks.
Can I import multiple GEDCOM files?
Yes, use “Add Only” mode for subsequent imports to combine data and avoid duplicates.
Can I undo an import?
No. Always backup first. Use “Replace Tree” to re-import if necessary.
What happens if import is interrupted?
Partial data may be imported. Use “Replace Tree” to start fresh.
Why is my import slow?
Check server resources, reduce chunk size, or disable Smart Optimization.
Do I need to convert GEDCOM 5.5 to 7.0 first?
No, LineagePress automatically handles the migration.
My names with accents (é, ñ, ü) are showing as or ?
This indicates an encoding issue. Convert your GEDCOM file to UTF-8 before importing.
Support
If you encounter issues:
Check this guide and review error messages.
Try importing with a smaller test file.
Check server error logs for PHP or timeout issues.
Contact support with the following details:
File size and GEDCOM version
Specific error messages encountered
Your server specifications (hosting type, PHP memory limit)
Import settings used (Chunk Size, Import Mode, Smart Optimization status)
