Family History Websites

While Squarespace doesn't have a built-in family tree tool, there are creative ways to showcase your family's lineage. From uploading a static image to creating a custom filter to allow visitors to search family members based on family name or generation.

Squarespace offers several options for displaying images. From beautiful, responsive photo galleries to captioned images to provide context, there is a design layout to suit everyone.

Family members can be given different permission levels to access the website and add stories and images themselves. They can also comment on individual posts. Stories and images can also be submitted via customised forms and emailed directly to you.

Absolutely! Squarespace supports various multimedia content. You can embed videos from platforms like YouTube or Vimeo, or upload videos directly to your Squarespace site. For audio accounts you can even create a podcast format.

Privacy and security are crucial for family history sites. Squarespace offers robust security features. Depending on your needs, we can set up anything from password-protected pages to a fully private site, ensuring that your family's personal history remains secure and accessible only to those you choose.

All Squarespace sites come with SSL certificates, ensuring that any data transmitted through your site (like through contribution forms) is encrypted and secure.

Here are some key strategies to consider:

1. Start with a family tree outline: Create a basic family tree structure to serve as the backbone of your site. This will help you identify which family members you'll need to gather information about.

2. Collect and digitize materials: Gather photos, documents, and other physical artifacts. Scan or photograph these items to create digital versions. Be sure to organize them into folders by family branch or time period.

3. Record oral histories: Set up interviews with older family members to capture their stories. These can be audio or video recordings, which add a personal touch to your site.

4. Organize written information: Compile any written family histories, important dates, and interesting anecdotes. Consider creating a timeline of significant family events.

5. Verify information: Cross-check dates, names, and events with multiple sources when possible to ensure accuracy.

6. Create a content inventory: List all the materials you've gathered, noting any gaps in your family's story that you might want to research further.

7. Plan your site structure: Sketch out how you want to present your information. Will you organize by individual, by family branch, or chronologically?

8. Prepare content for web format: Start drafting short biographies, photo captions, and descriptions that will engage website visitors.

Remember, organizing your content effectively before building your site can save time and result in a more cohesive family history presentation. As a professional website designer, I can guide you through this process and help you structure your content in a way that will translate beautifully to a Squarespace website.

We take a 50% deposit at the start of your project, with the balance once your website design is complete.