⚡ Quick Installation Guide for LineagePress

Welcome to LineagePress! Follow these steps to set up your powerful genealogy platform within WordPress.

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System Requirements

Ensure your hosting environment meets the following specifications for optimal performance:

Requirement	Minimum Version	Notes
PHP	7.4+	Tested and compatible up to 8.2
WordPress	5.8+	Tested and compatible up to 6.8+
Database	MySQL 5.7+ or MariaDB 10.3+
Server	Write access to the wp-content/plugins directory

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Installation Methods

Method 1: WordPress Admin Dashboard (Recommended)

This is the fastest and easiest way to install LineagePress.

1. Download: Download the LineagePress plugin ZIP file.
2. Upload:
   • Log in to your WordPress Admin Dashboard.
   • Go to Plugins → Add New.
   • Click the Upload Plugin button.
   • Choose the downloaded ZIP file and click Install Now.
3. Activate: Click Activate Plugin. WordPress will automatically create all necessary database tables upon activation.

Method 2: FTP/Manual Installation

Use this method if you cannot upload the ZIP file through the dashboard.

1. Extract: Unzip the LineagePress plugin package locally.
2. Upload:
   • Connect to your server using an FTP client.
   • Navigate to the /wp-content/plugins/ directory.
   • Upload the entire lineagepress folder into this directory.
3. Activate:
   • Go to your WordPress Admin Dashboard.
   • Navigate to Plugins.
   • Find LineagePress Lite in the list and click Activate.

Post-Installation Setup

1. Create Your First Tree (Crucial First Step)

Before importing data or configuring settings, you must create a family tree container.

• Navigate to the LineagePress menu in the WordPress sidebar.
• Go to LineagePress → Trees.
• Click the “Add New Tree” button.
• Name your family tree (e.g., “Smith Family Lineage”).
• Click Save.

2. Import Your First GEDCOM (Populate Data)

Now, bring your family history data into the tree you just created.

1. Navigate to LineagePress → Import.
2. Click Choose File and select your GEDCOM file (5.5.x or 7.0 format).
3. Select Import Options:
   • Tree Name: Choose the tree you created in Step 1.
   • Import Mode: Choose standard or advanced options.
4. Click Import GEDCOM. A progress bar will track the status.

3. Verify Installation & Database

Confirm that the plugin is working and the database tables were successfully populated.

• Verification: Navigate to LineagePress → Dashboard and confirm that no error messages appear.
• Data Check: Go to LineagePress → Individuals to see if your person records were imported.
• Key Tables: Upon activation and import, LineagePress creates/populates 20+ dedicated database tables, including wp_hp_individuals, wp_hp_families, and wp_hp_sources.

4. Configure Settings

Customize your genealogy site’s display and privacy options.

• Go to LineagePress → Dashboard → Configuration.
• Set Preferences: Adjust Privacy Settings (e.g., hiding living individuals), Display Options (name/date formats), and Performance (caching options).

Next Steps

1. Review your imported data (LineagePress → Individuals).
2. Add media files (WordPress → Media). There will is a more detailed guide on this.
3. Geocode your places.
4. Add a WordPress Menu Item linked to http://yourwebsite.com/genealogy/
5. Share your new genealogy site with family!

Your LineagePress installation is now complete and ready to build your family history!

Accessing Your Genealogy Data

LineagePress creates virtual pages to display your imported data, ensuring compatibility with most themes.

Content Type	Example URL Structure
Genealogy Hub	yoursite.com/genealogy/
Individual Pages	yoursite.com/genealogy/person/I1/
Family Pages	yoursite.com/genealogy/family/F1/
Locations	yoursite.com/genealogy/places/
Surnames	yoursite.com/genealogy/surnames/

Theme Compatibility: The plugin works seamlessly with both modern FSE (Block) Themes and Classic Themes without requiring theme-specific configuration.

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Preview Version Limitations

Preview Version Limits

The free Preview version is limited to:

• 1 family tree maximum
• 100 individuals per tree maximum

To remove these restrictions, upgrade to the Lite version via LineagePress → Dashboard → License.

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Issue	Resolution
Plugin Won’t Activate	Verify PHP (7.4+) and WordPress (5.8+) versions. Review the server error log at /wp-content/debug.log.
Pages Show 404 Errors	Go to Settings → Permalinks and click Save Changes (flushes rewrite rules).
Import Fails	Ensure your GEDCOM file is valid. Check PHP file size limits. Note: Chunked import is automatic for files over 2MB.
Tables Not Created	Deactivate and reactivate the plugin. Verify database user permissions. Use LineagePress → Dashboard → Database to manually rebuild tables.

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Getting Help

• Documentation: Found on this site
• Bugs/Features: Report issues on our FaceBook page.

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