Story-led scenario
A box of photographs without names
The first need is to keep faces, remembered stories, and family context together in a gentle place to begin.
Explore LiteThe product guide
Two archives.
One purpose.
Both preserve what matters. They simply begin in different places. Here is how to explore which direction fits your work.
Why two archives?
Some people begin with records. Others begin with stories. Neither path is wrong - and both preserve family history.
Which direction should I explore?
Answer a few questions. Meet your starting point.
No email, storage, or account required.
Two illustrative journeys
Maybe you will recognise your starting point.
Evidence-led scenario
A complex question across many records
The first need is to connect sources, citations, DNA observations, and open hypotheses without losing the human story.
Explore ArchiveWhich sounds more like you?
Say it out loud.
If you are the Archive type...
- I enjoy solving family mysteries.
- I want to document every source.
- I work with evidence, DNA observations, or complex questions.
- My project will grow over time.
If you are the Lite type...
- I inherited photographs and stories.
- I want a gentle place to begin.
- The memories matter more than research workflow.
- I want my family to understand what I preserve.
Explore what matters to you
Pick a topic. See how each direction handles it.
In Archive
Research questions, records, and evidence
In Lite
Photographs, people, stories, and memories
Two ways to begin
Every archive follows a natural path.
The Archive path
- A question
- Research
- Evidence
- Sources
- Interpretation
- A documented archive
The Lite path
- A story
- Photographs
- People
- Places
- Memory
- A lasting family collection
A useful distinction
Compare the product directions.
| What matters | Archive | Lite |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Research questions, records, and evidence | Photographs, people, stories, and memories |
| Best fit | Families with complex questions or deeper preservation needs | Beginners, relatives, and family memory keepers |
| Research depth | Sources, citations, hypotheses, conflicts, and research notes | A simpler story-led direction without heavy research workflow |
| Family contribution | Confirmed during project planning | Family contribution version with simple prompts |
| DNA evidence | Context only when appropriate; no raw upload or automated conclusions | Not currently included |
| Document library | Full research version | Simplified |
| Purchase status | Request a quote | Available through Stan Store and Etsy |
Primary purpose
- Archive
- Research questions, records, and evidence
- Lite
- Photographs, people, stories, and memories
Best fit
- Archive
- Families with complex questions or deeper preservation needs
- Lite
- Beginners, relatives, and family memory keepers
Research depth
- Archive
- Sources, citations, hypotheses, conflicts, and research notes
- Lite
- A simpler story-led direction without heavy research workflow
Family contribution
- Archive
- Confirmed during project planning
- Lite
- Family contribution version with simple prompts
DNA evidence
- Archive
- Context only when appropriate; no raw upload or automated conclusions
- Lite
- Not currently included
Document library
- Archive
- Full research version
- Lite
- Simplified
Purchase status
- Archive
- Request a quote
- Lite
- Available through Stan Store and Etsy
Your needs can change
Start where the work feels natural.
The source imagines moving between or keeping both products. No upgrade, transfer, or dual-ownership workflow has been verified, so the production guide makes no portability promise.
Before you decide
A few common questions before choosing your archive.
Can I buy an archive today?
Yes. Both Roots Adventure archives are available to purchase. If you're unsure which is right for you, compare the features or explore each archive before making your decision.
Which archive should I choose?
Choose Roots Adventure Lite if your focus is preserving photographs, stories, memories, and family history in a simple, welcoming archive. Choose Roots Adventure Full Archive if you're researching ancestors, historical records, evidence, citations, timelines, DNA, or unresolved family questions.
Can I start small?
Absolutely. Many people begin with a single photograph, one family member, or one unanswered question. Both archives are designed to grow naturally as your family history grows.
Is my archive private?
Yes. Your archive is designed to remain under your control as a personal workspace for preserving, organising, and exploring your family history.
Can I use my own photographs and documents?
Yes. Both archives are built around your own family records, photographs, stories, documents, and research.
What if I'm completely new to genealogy?
Roots Adventure Lite was created for beginners and families wanting to preserve memories. Roots Adventure Full Archive is designed for deeper evidence-led family history research.
Will my archive grow with my research?
Yes. Whether you're preserving family memories or conducting detailed genealogy research, the archive grows naturally as you add more people, stories, photographs, documents, records, and discoveries.
Choose a direction to explore
Begin where your family history begins.
For researchers
Explore Archive.
Evidence, sources, DNA observations, and complex research in one considered direction.
Explore ArchiveFor families
Explore Lite.
Photographs, stories, people, and memories in a gentler product direction.
Explore LiteVisit the Roots Adventure Etsy shop
Purchases are currently completed through the Roots Adventure Etsy shop.