1. Installing the LineagePress Plugin

I’ve updated the guide to be more visually engaging by adding intuitive icons for each step. This helps users quickly identify actions like “back up,” “download,” or “upload.”

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1. Installing the LineagePress Plugin 🌳

Product: LineagePress (Free & Pro)

Purpose: A professional WordPress plugin for building and displaying family trees.

Core Features: 🧬 Import GEDCOM files, 📂 manage unlimited family data, and 🌐 publish genealogy online with advanced display options.

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📝 Overview

There are two distinct ways to install LineagePress depending on which version you are using. The Free version is available via the WordPress repository, while the Pro version must be downloaded directly from the LineagePress website.

[!IMPORTANT]

🚀 Upgrading to Pro? The Pro version is designed to replace the Free version. You must deactivate the Free version first, then allow the Pro installation to overwrite the existing files.

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📥 Method 1: Installing the Free Version

If you are starting with the Free version, you can install it directly from your WordPress Admin Dashboard.

1. Navigate: 🧭 In your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins → Add New.
2. Search: 🔍 In the search bar, type “LineagePress” and press Enter.
3. Install: 📥 Locate LineagePress in the search results and click Install Now.
4. Activate: ✅ After installation completes, click Activate.

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⭐ Method 2: Upgrading to LineagePress Pro (Recommended)

Follow these steps to upgrade from the Free version to Pro or to perform a clean install of the Pro version.

1. Backup: 💾 Back up your database. Before making changes, ensure your family tree data is safe.
2. Download: 📥 Log in to the LineagePress site and download the lineagepress-pro.zip file.
3. Deactivate: 🔌 Go to Plugins → Installed Plugins and click Deactivate under LineagePress (Free).
4. Upload: 📤 Go to Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin. Select your Pro .zip file and click Install Now.
5. Overwrite: 🔄 When prompted that the folder exists, select “Replace current with uploaded.”
6. Activate: ✨ Once finished, click Activate.

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🛠️ Method 3: Manual Installation via FTP

This advanced method is used for manual file management or when web uploads are restricted.

1. Unzip: 📂 Download the Pro .zip and extract the lineagepress folder to your computer.
2. Connect: 🌐 Use an FTP client (like FileZilla) to connect to your server.
3. Navigate: 📂 Go to /wp-content/plugins/.
4. Transfer: 📤 Upload the new folder. If prompted, choose Overwrite to replace the Free version files.
5. Activate: 🔘 In your WordPress Dashboard, go to Plugins and click Activate.

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🚀 Getting Started

After activation, the LineagePress menu will appear in your sidebar.

• Family Trees: 🌳 Manage and grow your branches.
• GEDCOM: 🧬 Import existing data instantly.
• Settings: ⚙️ Configure your display and license key.

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