Help Center & FAQ

In Somali, Xidid means "roots" or "veins". It represents both genetic ancestry and relationships formed by marriage. Xidid is a sovereign family tree mapping platform built specifically for Somali communities to document lineage (Abtirsi), preserve historical oral testimonies, and facilitate community fund governance.

Unlike corporate genealogy platforms, Xidid respects the sovereignty of your data. You retain control over your own profile privacy settings. Shared family connections (e.g. parent-child relationships) are visible within verified family networks to keep genealogy collaborative, but personal details, obituaries, and private testimonies are protected and secure.

Abtirsi is the patrilineal naming convention and lineage tracing system in Somali culture, tracing back through generations of fathers. Xidid models this by allowing users to build a multi-generational pedigree tree, connecting siblings, spouses, and children, to reconstruct the full scope of a clan division structure.

GEDCOM is the global standard file format for family history data. Under Settings > Import & Export, you can upload a .ged file from external programs (like Ancestry or MyHeritage). Xidid parses the file, previews the list of people, and imports them directly into your tree database. You can also export your tree to GEDCOM 5.5.1 format at any time.

Xidid uses advanced pathfinding algorithms (BFS/DFS) on the family graph. When you view another member's profile, the system calculates the shortest paths to a shared ancestor and displays the relationship badge (e.g. "Grandfather", "2nd Cousin", "Uncle") directly on their profile.

When editing a family member's profile, check the "Is Deceased" box. This opens additional fields to document their date of death, place of death, and a written obituary or memorial tribute. Deceased profiles are styled with a distinct, respectful visual indicator in the family tree graph.

Yes. When viewing your pedigree tree, click the Export PDF button. The system generates a clean, structured 3-generation pedigree chart page in A4 Landscape layout, drawing connecting lines and details, suitable for printing or offline storage.

Somali genealogy is structured around confederations, clans, sub-clans, and local segments. In Xidid, the system models these branches as hierarchical nodes. Under the Divisions tab, you can view the nested structure, explore leaders (Elders), and participate in localized branch quorums.

Xidid includes a full financial ledger system for community divisions. Verified members can make contributions, view active community balances, propose mutual aid distributions, and vote on community projects. Every financial transaction is signed, fully transparent, and audited to prevent mismanagement.