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🗄️ Database Management Guide for LineagePress
The Database section (accessible via WordPress Admin → LineagePress → Dashboard → Database Tab) provides essential tools for maintaining, optimizing, and ensuring the integrity of your LineagePress database tables. Administrator permission is required to access these functions.
1. Database Operations (Deletion)
⚠️ Warning: All delete operations are permanent and cannot be undone. Always backup your data before performing any deletion.
| Operation | Description | Use When |
| Delete Tree | Removes all data associated with a specific family tree selected from a dropdown menu. Leaves all other trees unaffected. Requires confirmation. | You need to remove a test tree or a specific unwanted tree while keeping your main data. |
| Delete All Data | Removes ALL genealogy data from every tree and empties all LineagePress tables. The table structure itself remains. Requires confirmation. | You are starting completely fresh or migrating away from the platform and need a full cleanup. |
2. Table Operations (Maintenance)
These tools help maintain database health, performance, and structure.
| Operation | Function | Benefits & When to Use |
| Optimize Tables | Reclaims unused space, defragments data, and rebuilds table indexes. It’s a safe operation that doesn’t modify data. | Recommended Monthly or after large imports/deletions. Improves query speed, reduces database size, and speeds up import/export. |
| Repair Tables | Fixes corrupted table structures and damaged indexes. Attempts to recover data after database crashes or unexpected server issues. | Use when you see database errors, missing/corrupted records, or after a server crash. |
| Reinstall Tables | Recreates the table structure from scratch and updates the schema to the latest version. Preserves existing data. | Use after upgrading the plugin if you encounter errors about missing columns, or if the table structure becomes corrupted. |
3. Database Statistics
This section displays real-time metrics about your LineagePress data:
- Overview Metrics:
- Total Records: The combined row count across all LineagePress tables.
- Total Size: The total disk space utilized by the tables.
- Warning Threshold: An alert appears if the database size exceeds 100 MB.
- Table Details: Lists every LineagePress table, showing its Table Name, the number of Records (rows), the current Size (KB/MB/GB), and its Status (
Active or Empty).
Core LineagePress Tables
The plugin relies on several tables to organize your data:
| Category | Example Tables | Data Stored |
| Core Tables | hp_trees, hp_individuals, hp_families, hp_children | Basic structure of people, families, relationships, and tree definitions. |
| Detail Tables | hp_events, hp_places, hp_sources, hp_citations | Records for life events, locations, citations, and source material. |
| Media Tables | hp_media, hp_medialinks | Records for photos and documents, and their links to individuals/events. |
Best Practices
| Action | Frequency/Condition | Rationale |
| Optimize Tables | Monthly or after large imports. | Maintains performance and reclaims space. |
| Repair Tables | Immediately after server/database crash. | Fixes corruption and ensures data integrity. |
| Reinstall Tables | After major plugin updates. | Ensures the database schema is up-to-date. |
Troubleshooting Quick Guide
| Problem | Solution |
| “Table doesn’t exist” Error | Click Reinstall Tables. |
| “Table is marked as crashed” Error | Click Repair Tables. |
| Slow performance after large import | Click Optimize Tables. |
| Database size growing unexpectedly | Optimize Tables and check for duplicate/test trees to delete. |