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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/evidence

See 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

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