ResearchProcess-GPS

A revolutionary protocol and engine for genealogical research that transforms how professional genealogists conduct, document, and share their research. ResearchProcess-GPS is "GitHub for Genealogy" - not just another platform, but a protocol that enables version-controlled research with theory branching, evidence floating, and professional collaboration.

🎯 Vision

ResearchProcess-GPS addresses a fundamental gap in genealogy software: current tools focus on recording conclusions, not the research process. This platform revolutionizes genealogical research by:

• Tracking HOW research was conducted, not just the results
• Supporting uncertainty with flexible personas and identities instead of fixed persons
• Enabling theory exploration with "What if?" scenarios and version control
• Documenting confidence comprehensively with complete audit trails, not just numeric scores
• Facilitating collaboration with multi-researcher attribution and peer review

🏗️ Architecture Overview

Three-Pillar Foundation

1. Secure Data Archiving (.rgps filesystem format)

   • Self-contained research packages with all dependencies
   • Cryptographic signatures and encryption
   • Long-term preservation with format migration
   • Offline-first operation

2. Streaming/Syncing System

   • Event-sourced architecture tracking all changes
   • Real-time synchronization with conflict resolution
   • Selective sync with privacy controls
   • Distributed collaboration support

3. Collaborative Engine

   • Multi-modal communication (text, voice, annotations)
   • Real-time presence and activity awareness
   • Peer review workflows
   • Attribution preservation

Key Architectural Principles

• Standards-as-Configuration: Professional standards (BCG, GPS) as versioned configs
• Plugin-First Design: Core research framework with extensible specialized features
• Professional-Grade: GPS compliance and BCG standards built-in from foundation
• Semantic Preservation: Complete meaning preservation across all operations

🚀 Revolutionary Features

Theory Versioning (The Killer Feature)

Transform static GEDCOM persons into flexible personas/identities that can be reassigned between different theoretical family structures:

• Build multiple family tree versions ("What if Sam died in 1853?")
• Compare theories side-by-side with impact analysis
• Evidence supports multiple theories simultaneously
• Git-like version control for genealogy

Comprehensive Confidence Framework

Replace meaningless numeric scores with complete research audit trails:

• Document exactly which repositories and collections were searched
• Track temporal and geographic coverage
• GPS element compliance verification
• Peer review trails and confidence evolution
• Granular auditing: "Did you check the Boise Library obituary collection?"

GEDCOM Liberation

• Import GEDCOM 7+ with extensions
• Decompose persons into flexible personas and identities
• Float evidence between theories
• Maintain relationships while exploring alternatives

📁 Project Structure

Core Specifications (12 Major Documents)

• PLATFORM_ARCHITECTURE_VISION.md - Overall system design
• IDENTITY_PERSONA_SYSTEM.md - Revolutionary identity management
• FLEXIBLE_LINK_SYSTEM.md - Relationships beyond GEDCOM
• RESEARCH_LOG_SPECIFICATION.md - GPS-compliant research tracking
• DNA_MODELS_SPECIFICATION.md - Multi-type genetic genealogy
• SYNC_AND_OPERATION_MODES.md - Offline to real-time collaboration
• [And 6 more comprehensive specifications...]

Architecture Documents

• HIGH_LEVEL_ARCHITECTURE_20250729_160300.md - Three-pillar system design
• COMPREHENSIVE_CONFIDENCE_FRAMEWORK.md - Revolutionary confidence model
• THEORY_VERSIONING_AND_TREE_BUILDING.md - Dynamic genealogy features
• CORE_DATA_MODEL_VS_APPLICATION_FEATURES.md - Clean architecture separation

Analysis & Research

• COMPREHENSIVE_MARKET_ANALYSIS_2025.md - Professional genealogist needs
• SEMANTIC_LOSS_ANALYSIS.md - Data loss in current systems
• RESEARCH_PROCESS_FEATURE_COMPILATION.md - User requirements from BetterGEDCOM
• Multiple extension analyses and integration studies

🎯 Target Users

Primary: Professional Genealogists

• BCG-certified genealogists and candidates
• Professional researchers requiring GPS compliance
• Genealogists handling complex identity resolution
• Researchers working with uncertain or conflicting evidence

Secondary: Serious Researchers

• Advanced hobbyists following professional standards
• Collaborative research teams
• Academic genealogy programs
• Genealogical societies and organizations

🛠️ Technology Stack (Planned)

• Backend: PostgreSQL with event sourcing, Node.js/Python
• Storage: Hybrid file/stream architecture with .rgps packages
• Sync: WebSocket real-time, CRDT for conflict-free merge
• Security: End-to-end encryption, digital signatures
• Standards: GEDCOM 7 compatible with extensive extensions

📊 Current Status

✅ Completed

• Comprehensive specifications (40+ documents)
• Market analysis and professional needs assessment
• High-level architecture with three-pillar design
• Revolutionary feature concepts (theory versioning, confidence framework)
• Standards-as-configuration approach

🔄 In Progress

• Core data model design
• Plugin interface specifications
• Standards configuration schemas

⏳ Next Steps

• Detailed entity schemas
• Reference implementation
• Professional genealogist validation
• Plugin ecosystem development

🤝 Contributing

This project is currently in the architecture and design phase. We welcome:

• Feedback from professional genealogists
• Use case contributions
• Standards compliance expertise
• Technical architecture review

📚 Key Concepts

Research Process Focus

Unlike traditional genealogy software that records conclusions, ResearchProcess-GPS tracks:

• Research questions and hypotheses
• Search strategies and coverage
• Evidence analysis and conflicts
• Decision reasoning and alternatives
• Negative findings and exhausted searches

Professional Standards Integration

• BCG (Board for Certification of Genealogists) compliance
• GPS (Genealogical Proof Standard) methodology
• NGS (National Genealogical Society) guidelines
• International genealogy standards support

Collaboration-Native Design

• Multi-researcher attribution
• Peer review workflows
• Version control and conflict resolution
• Real-time and asynchronous collaboration

🔗 Related Projects

• Parent: /genealogy-ai - AI-powered genealogy research tools
• Related: GEDCOM 7 extensions work
• Integration: Various genealogy platform connectors

📖 Getting Started

To understand the project vision and architecture:

1. Read PLATFORM_ARCHITECTURE_VISION.md for overall design
2. Review SESSION_HANDOVER_20250729_164500.md for current status
3. Explore HIGH_LEVEL_ARCHITECTURE_20250729_160300.md for technical details
4. Check COMPREHENSIVE_PROJECT_SUMMARY_20250729_164500.md for complete overview

🚦 Roadmap

Phase 1: Core Platform (Current)

• Data model design
• Standards framework
• Basic plugin architecture

Phase 2: Professional Features

• Theory versioning implementation
• Confidence framework
• Collaboration engine

Phase 3: Ecosystem Development

• Plugin marketplace
• API ecosystem
• Professional tool integrations

Phase 4: Platform Maturity

• Enterprise features
• International expansion
• Advanced analytics

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ResearchProcess-GPS: Transforming genealogical research from a conclusion-recording exercise to a dynamic, collaborative investigation platform.