🔠 Surnames Page – User Guide
The Surnames Page is the alphabetical directory of all family names in your genealogy site. It provides an intuitive way for visitors to browse surnames, see all individuals with a specific last name, and view detailed profiles for family members.
How the Page Works (Three Levels of Navigation)
The Surnames feature operates through three progressive levels of detail:
| Level | Action | Resulting View |
| 1. Surnames List | Main landing page. | Alphabetical directory of all unique family names. |
| 2. People with That Surname | Click a surname (e.g., | A list of every individual in the database with that last name. |
| 3. Individual Profile | Click a person’s name (e.g., | The full, detailed profile page for that individual. |
1. Browsing the Surnames List
Directory Tools
| Tool | Location | Function |
| Breadcrumbs | Top of the page. | Shows Home > Genealogy > Surnames, allowing you to jump back easily. |
| Tree Filter | Top, if multiple trees exist. | Click a specific tree name to filter the list to only that family line. |
| Total Count | Page header. | Displays the total number of unique surnames in the database (e.g., “156 surnames”). |
| Quick Jump Nav | Near the top. | Two rows of letters (A-Z) showing only letters that have surnames. Click a letter to jump instantly to that section. |
The Surnames List Structure
Surnames are grouped under large alphabetical Letter Headings (A, B, C, etc.).
Each entry is a clickable link that displays:
- The family name (formatted according to your settings).
- The count of people with that surname in parentheses.
- Example:
Privacy Note: The displayed count includes all people in your database, but the resulting list (Level 2) will automatically filter out living and private individuals based on your site’s settings.
2. Viewing People with a Specific Surname
When you click a surname, you are taken to a dedicated list page.
- Navigation: Breadcrumbs update to
.
- Header: The chosen surname is prominently displayed in a dark gray banner.
- Individuals List: Presented in a two-column format for quick scanning.
Each person’s entry shows:
- Their Full Name (click to see their profile).
- Birth and Death Years in parentheses (e.g.,
).
Privacy Filtering
The list respects global settings: living people, or any person marked as private, are automatically hidden from view.
3. Viewing an Individual’s Profile
Click any person’s name to see their complete profile, which uses a tabbed interface.
Navigation and Structure
- A Back to Surnames link is provided at the top for easy return.
- The profile opens to the Individual Tab by default.
Profile Information Tabs
| Tab Name | Key Contents | Status |
| Individual (Default) | Personal Details: Name, Gender, Dates, Places, | Fully implemented. |
| Ancestors | Reserved for future features showing the person’s lineage. | Placeholder only. |
| Descendants | Reserved for future features showing the person’s descendants. | Placeholder only. |
Privacy Protection
- If a specific detail (like a date or place) is marked private, the word “Private” is displayed instead of the actual information.
- Living people may have limited information shown according to your configuration.
Navigation and Interaction Tips
| Feature | How to Use |
| Clicking Names | Every name (person, parent, spouse, child) is a clickable link to their profile. |
| Hover Effects | Hovering over names highlights the background slightly, indicating a clickable link. |
| Tab Switching | The active information tab is highlighted for clarity. |
| Source Verification | Check the Sources section on the Individual Tab to see the documentation for their life facts. |
Use Cases
The Surnames page makes it easy to:
- Research family lines by quickly finding all people with a specific last name.
- Explore relationships by clicking through the family connections listed on each profile.
- Share your research with family members in a clear, organized, and privacy-protected format.