About GeneTree

GeneTree (www.genetree.com) is a new category of family networking site designed to help people understand where their personal histories belong within the greater human genetic story. The GeneTree site creates unparalleled opportunities for unlocking genetic heritage and identity, connecting with ancestors and living relatives, and sharing meaningful information and experiences to help preserve family histories. GeneTree expands the concept of family, providing fresh new answers and perspective to the universal questions, “Who am I?” and “Where do I come from?”

The vision for GeneTree was conceived in 2006 by principals at several Sorenson companies, who were curious about where they came from, and recognized that others shared the same curiosity and would want to connect and share family histories. The resulting innovative GeneTree tools and information will help fuel the efforts and imaginations of the countless people seeking greater knowledge about their genetic and cultural origins. The GeneTree beta site was formally launched October 23, 2007. 

Collaborative Power
GeneTree utilizes exceptional tools and resources from organizations at the forefront of their respective industries. These include:

  • Sorenson Media, developer of the world's leading digital video compression and encoding software and of innovative tools that enable the development and publishing of user-generated video that help reinvent participants’ Internet experience. The company’s technology has been installed on more than a billion computers worldwide, with users ranging from individuals to major corporations and top Hollywood studios.
  • The Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation (SMGF) is a non-profit organization building the world’s foremost collection of DNA samples correlated with genealogical information, gathered from individuals in more than 170 nations.
  • DNA testing is performed by ISO-accredited Sorenson Genomics, the world’s first genetic testing laboratory certified for genetic genealogy purposes by the American Association of Blood Banks.
     

Unparalleled Tools and Resources for Discovery and Sharing
By marshalling the capabilities of these industry leaders, GeneTree is expanding the concept of family, extending knowledge of genetic origins beyond the confines of traditional historical records, and reinforcing the connection shared by all people as members of a single human family.

GeneTree places an unprecedented combination of innovative tools and resources at the disposal of the site’s users, including:

  • Innovative systems for creating homepages for living and deceased individuals
  • Interactive, searchable family trees
  • Control of privacy, access and collaboration settings for each individual’s homepage
  • High-quality DNA testing services
  • Intuitive drag-and-drop media sharing capabilities for video, audio, photos and documents
  • Informative visual representations of an individual’s genetic family history, through snapshots of ancestors’ geographic location at various points in time.

You Belong Here 

GeneTree sends a simple, unified message to the millions of individuals and families throughout the world exploring their genetic heritage online: “You belong here.”