Where Does Gramps Store Family Trees?
Gramps database folder with family trees plus XML backup workflow.
Last updated
Gramps keeps live family trees in the grampsdb database folder inside its user data directory, with lock files per open tree. Media files stay wherever you filed them; only their paths are recorded.
The database folder is not the backup. Use Family Trees then Make Backup for portable .gramps XML (or the media bundling package), with automatic exit backups configurable by interval. Never archive in GEDCOM: the exchange format drops Gramps specific data on round trips.
Where Gramps stores this, by platform
%APPDATA%\gramps\grampsdb
Live trees with per tree lock files (old installs migrated from AppData Local automatically). Back up with Make Backup to XML on a schedule, stored outside this folder, ideally another building.
~/.gramps/grampsdb (migrated to XDG data dir on upgrade)
Same database layout as Linux with automatic migration of old home folder data. Media paths break when folders move; relink through the media manager before editing.
~/.local/share/gramps/grampsdb
XDG data home with config beside it. Flatpak lacks the BSDDB backend, so prefer native packages for old trees. Unlock crash locked trees from the command line rather than deleting locks by hand.
Frequently asked questions
how do I back up my Gramps family tree
Choose Family Trees > Make Backup for a .gramps XML file, or the package variant including media. Copy it off the machine. Enable automatic exit backups in preferences as a safety net.
can I move Gramps to a new computer
Export XML backups (and media) on the old machine, install Gramps fresh, and create a new tree by importing the backup. Copying grampsdb folders directly works only across identical versions and backends.
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