The Family Tree Viewer
What it is.
The Family Tree viewer reads a standard Gedcom File and displays it as a Java applet that can be incorporated in a Web page. A Gedcom file is a standard format of file that can be created by most proprietory family tree programs for interchanging geneology data. The main aim of the program is be simple to deploy on any free webspace supplied by most internet service providers. i.e just copy the Java application code and the Gedcom file to the free webspace together with your own intro page and away you go. Being written in Java it should run on any browser and is also secure (i.e can not read or write to the host PC).
Background.
I have created this program as I have an interest in geneology and wanted an excuse to learn some Java programming. As such it has been written in the little spare time that I have and is not the most complete, elegant or reliable application that you will find. It has not been tested on different files or browsers, all I can say is it works for my Gedcom file on my PC. However I will continue tinkering with it. If anyone is interested in using it though, I will be greatly flattered and will also consider any requests to fix specific problems or add additional features.
Known problems/limitations.
It should work on Explorer 4 or higher at 800/600 resolution - Nothing else has been tested. Lower resolutions or smaller than full screen will give double scroll bars along the bottom.
There can be a problem with the name list not being in columns - this is caused by a monospaced font not being used in the browser. ( dont know why though)
Only caters for straightforward families. Don't know yet what will happen with multiple marriages etc.
Limited to 10 children in a family. (You would have thought that would be enough)
Selecting from the list sometimes doesn't work first time, keep clicking. Sometimes an empty family page is created. Need to go back and select again.
The Gedcom standard is probably not quite "standard". Only tested on mine created from "Family Tree for Windows"
Access to the Gedcom file is not secure (a feature of the Internet configuration) so if you store sensitive information in your family tree program e.g. addresses of living relatives, then people will be able to get at it without too much difficulty (even though my program doesn't display it) A solution to this would be a program to strip out this information from the Gedcom file before copying it to your web site.
Planned enhancements
Sort the name list by Surname
Abbreviate long names that don't fit in the box.
Sort the monospace font problem on list box with some browsers.
Improve control of Browser scroll bars.
Add a window to select additional information on selected person
Investigate/Add a print option.
Still Interested?
If you would like a copy of the application send me an e-mail and I will send you the code together with installation instructions. If it proves popular I may get round to adding a download link to this site. The software will come with no warranties or guarantees (but it is free).