Geni Reviews

(based on 29 reviews)

279 of 526 people found this review helpful

I signed up for a $9.95 monthly subscription and then Geni.com charged for a whole year. You can't call customer service and they don't respond to e-mails. Avoid!

In summary, I would not recommend Geni to a friend.

258 of 515 people found this review helpful

As a basic user, there was a time you could see other trees and check to see if you were related. Now they just want your money before you can see anything, public or not. I will be pulling any information off (if possible). At this rate they will be down in less than a year.

In summary, I would not recommend Geni to a friend.

225 of 471 people found this review helpful

If you cancel your tree after experimenting (as I did), your data then is NOT deleted - but is up for grabs by anyone opportunistic enough to claim "management" of it.

As a result, I have relatives complaining to me about misinformation published and in the search engines, that I cannot amend or delete, as although I "created" the data, I no longer "manage" it. Current "managers" state they cannot delete it either.

When I wrote to Geni to remove all my data, I was told that they would only assist paid-up members.

In summary, I would not recommend Geni to a friend.

232 of 477 people found this review helpful

In my opinion, there are only two things a company can do bad:
1. destroy customer data
2. chage policies without notification
And Geni has just done nr 2.
I was very happy at geni.com, but am now forced to look for another haven for my data, which has grown quite large. Also, I will have to re-invite all the participants :(
Very bad move from Geni.
But I can't say anything wrong about the interface. It WAS very pleasant to work with.

In summary, I would not recommend Geni to a friend.

235 of 474 people found this review helpful

If your concept of a family tree is simply boxes showing birth and death dates, then this is the site for you.

Entering any information beyond this is not recommended. Geni has changed to a Wiki concept so that anyone in the world can change the information you entered, but unlike a Wiki there are no moderators and the source of the new information is not normally provided. Similarly, except for the basic information, the author of the changes is not known.

In a Wiki, such as Wikipedia, a moderator would normally highlight or remove such information to prevent the site becoming a data dump.

With no research material available on the site, the subscription is simply paying for web hosting. This is definitely not value for money.

In summary, I would not recommend Geni to a friend.

216 of 432 people found this review helpful

They yanked simple birthday/event gifts (happy face, Birthday cake) from the free basic, and removed Gedcom export also. Looking around now - I was very satisfied until now.

In summary, I would not recommend Geni to a friend.

229 of 435 people found this review helpful

http://www.geni.com/blog/geni-pro-just-got-a-whole-lot-better-369661.html

As a basic user you are no longer able to enter data beyond your 4th cousins and closer, as well as third great grandparents and closer.

In summary, I would not recommend Geni to a friend.

235 of 401 people found this review helpful

My cousin introduced me to Geni.com last December. I have found Geni.com to be a great way to build the family tree. It's especially rewarding when we've been able to link up the trees of second, third and fourth cousins and spouses.

In summary, I would recommend Geni to a friend.

244 of 478 people found this review helpful

I have been on geni since dec 2009. Since then I have been fortunate to locate a number of relatives, including those whom are related by blood and by marriage. I have also located a number of inlaws.

Be aware that the person in charge of the family tree may not be your relative. They could be a distant inlaw. I have found researcher attitudes to be varied. Some are actually indifferent, some want to just copy all of my names, and a few are actually interested in engaging in a discussion on research.

Researchers can accept new researchers as friends, family group, or collaborators. Friends can see your tree but cannot amend it. Collaborators can amend your tree.

One has the option of allowing complete access, limited access, or no access to unverified geni researchers.

Cost - the basic tree is free. Pro version allows for gedcom and amending information. There is a monthly charge.

Pros - a webpage that will accept a gedcom file and create an instant tree.

Cons - the inability to update gedcom files. the ability of collaborators (whom you have accepted) to amend your tree.

Privacy - one can set the levels of access. It is a... (Read the full review)

In summary, I would recommend Geni to a friend.