Abstract: A method of creating a family tree includes receiving a request from a user to return a file that includes the family tree and using a plurality of primary source records to construct the family tree based on the request. The records indicate multiple alternatives for at least one branch of the family tree. The method also includes sending a file that includes the family tree to the user. The file includes the alternatives.

Abstract: A method of determining a location for a watermark on an image having an array of pixels, each pixel having image information associated therewith includes determining a size for the watermark. The size has a pixel height and a pixel width. The method also includes calculating a region brightness value for each of a plurality of regions of the image. Each of the plurality of regions has a pixel height and a pixel width equal to the pixel height and the pixel width of the watermark. Each of the plurality of regions includes a plurality of pixels and the brightness value is representative of the image information associated with the plurality of pixels comprised by the region. The method also includes selecting one of the plurality of regions as the location for the watermark. The selection is based, at least in part, on the brightness value for the region.

Abstract: A method of operating on an image of a document includes, for an electronic file that includes a representation of the document, portioning the representation of the document into non-overlapping areas. Each area includes a matrix of pixels and each pixel has an initial grayscale value and a position in the matrix. The method also includes, for each area, determining a black point value and a white point value. The method further includes, for each pixel in each area, determining a revised pixel grayscale value for the pixel using the pixel's grayscale value, the pixel's position in the matrix, the black point value for the area comprising the pixel, the white point value for the area comprising the pixel, the black point value for at least one area adjacent to the area comprising the pixel, and/or the white point value for at least one area adjacent to the area comprising the pixel. The method also includes producing the image of the document using the revised grayscale values for each pixel.

Abstract: A redundant storage system implemented in a web server environment. The system comprises a web server database accessible to multiple web servers. The web server database is comprised of at least a first and a second storage bank. The first storage bank is comprised of at least a first and a second sub-bank with at least a portion of data stored on the first sub-bank also being stored on the second sub-bank. Methods for using the storage system comprise receiving a write access addressed to the first storage bank, and storing data associated with the write access to the second storage bank when the second sub-bank is inoperable. The storage area addressed by the write access is then de-allocated.

Abstract: A method of creating a family tree includes receiving genealogy data at a host computing system from at least one primary source and creating one or more node records and one or more link records using the genealogy data. The individual node records include at least name data and each individual link record includes relationship data that represents a relationship between individual node records. The method also includes comparing individual node records and identifying pairs of records having similar data. For each identified pair of individual node records, the method includes comparing related individual node records and deciding based on predetermined criteria whether the identified pair of individual node records represent the same person. The method also includes consolidating the information from a plurality of records determined to represent the same person into a single person record.

Abstract: A method of consolidating genealogy records includes partitioning the records using at least one index file to form one or more partitions, sorting the records in a partition based on a data element in the records, comparing records within a sort range, based on the comparison, identifying same person records, consolidating information in the same person records, receiving a request from a user to view at least a portion of the consolidated information for a particular group of same person records, and sending a file that includes the portion to the user.

Abstract: A method of creating a family tree includes receiving a request from a user to return a file that includes the family tree and using a plurality of primary source records to construct the family tree based on the request. The records indicate multiple alternatives for at least one branch of the family tree. The method also includes sending a file that includes the family tree to the user. The file includes the alternatives.

Abstract: Systems and methods for partitioning information across multiple storage devices in a web server environment. The system comprises a web server database which includes information related creating a web site. The information is divided into partitions within the database. One of the partitions includes user information and another of the partitions includes content for the web site. Portions of the content for the web site is replicated and maintained within the partition including the user information. Further, a portion of the user information is replicated and maintained in the partition where the content for the web site is maintained. The methods include dividing information into partitions, de-normalizing the received data and replicating the data portions into the various web site locations.

Abstract: A method for displaying information on a display screen of a user computer comprises sending a computer readable document from a server computer to the user computer for display on the display screen. The computer readable document includes links that are viewable on the display screen and are selectable to cause subsequent documents to be rendered on the display screen. The computer readable document further includes viewable information regarding selection of the links over a certain time.

Abstract: A redundant storage system implemented in a web server environment. The system comprises a web server database accessible to multiple web servers. The web server database is comprised of at least a first and a second storage bank. The first storage bank is comprised of at least a first and a second sub-bank with at least a portion of data stored on the first sub-bank also being stored on the second sub-bank. Methods for using the storage system comprise receiving a write access addressed to the first storage bank, and storing data associated with the write access to the second storage bank when the second sub-bank is inoperable. The storage area addressed by the write access is then de-allocated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing functions from a central facility on a computer network. One function facilitated includes authentication and authorization of users requesting access to a web server accessible via the communication network. Such authorization and authentication includes transferring a request for access from a content server to the central facility and authorizing the request from the central facility. Results of the authorization are communicated to the content server which displays the results of the request to the user by either allowing access or displaying a message describing a denied request.