Entity Types
This section defines the core entity types in GENEALOGIX. Each entity represents a distinct concept in genealogical research and can be referenced, extended, and related to other entities.
Core Entities
Person
Represents an individual in the family archive. Contains personal identity information, names, events, and relationships.
- Key Properties: Names, gender, birth/death dates, occupation, residence
- GEDCOM Equivalent: INDI (Individual Record)
Relationship
Represents connections between people such as spouse, parent-child, and other family relationships.
- Key Properties: Relationship type, participants, start/end events
- GEDCOM Equivalent: FAM (Family Record)
Event
Represents occurrences in time and place: births, marriages, deaths, baptisms, etc.
- Key Properties: Type, date, place, participants, notes
- GEDCOM Equivalent: BIRT, DEAT, MARR, BAPM, etc.
Place
Represents geographic locations forming a hierarchical structure. Supports multiple names and historical variations.
- Key Properties: Name, type, hierarchy, coordinates, alternative names (via properties)
- GEDCOM Equivalent: PLAC (Place structures)
Assertion
Represents an evidence-based conclusion about a specific genealogical fact. Forms the core of the GENEALOGIX assertion model.
- Key Properties: Subject, property, value, citations, confidence, status
- GEDCOM Equivalent: Implicit (derived from GEDCOM structure and SOUR references)
Source
Represents a bibliographic resource or information source. Can be books, documents, databases, websites, etc.
- Key Properties: Title, author, publication info, repository
- GEDCOM Equivalent: SOUR (Source Record)
Citation
Represents a specific reference to evidence within a source. Links sources to specific pages, records, or items.
- Key Properties: Source reference, locator, text from source, accessed date
- GEDCOM Equivalent: SOUR.PAGE, SOUR.QUAY
Repository
Represents an institution or organization that holds genealogical sources (archives, libraries, databases, etc.).
- Key Properties: Name, type, address, contact info, access restrictions
- GEDCOM Equivalent: REPO (Repository Record)
Media
Represents digital or physical media objects associated with genealogical entities (photographs, documents, audio, etc.).
- Key Properties: Title, URI, MIME type, description
- GEDCOM Equivalent: OBJE (Object/Media Record)
Entity Relationships
Person
├── participates in Events (birth, marriage, immigration, etc.)
├── has many Properties
├── has many Assertions (about properties)
├── links to media (via Media entity)
└── participates in Relationships
Relationship
├── connects multiple Persons
├── has start/end Events
├── has Assertions (about relationship properties)
└── links to media
Event
├── occurs at a Place
├── involves multiple Persons (via participants)
├── supported by Assertions
└── referenced by Assertions
Place
├── has parent Place (hierarchy)
├── has alternative names (via properties)
└── referenced by Events and Assertions
Assertion
├── references Person, Event, Relationship, or other subject
├── supported by Citations
└── may reference Places
Source
├── held in Repository
├── referenced by Citations
└── may have media
Citation
├── references Source
├── may reference Repository
├── supports Assertions
└── references media
Repository
├── holds Sources
└── referenced by Citations
Media
├── associated with any entity
└── referenced by assertions/evidenceSee Also
- Archive Organization - How entities are organized in files
- Core Concepts - How entities relate to evidence and provenance
- Vocabularies - Complete reference for all vocabulary types
- Entity type documentation includes GEDCOM mapping information