Known relationships are a great way to pattern real-world relationships in your database. While Rock comes with several relationship types already configured (Grandparent, Invited By, etc.), you can create new relationships as needed.

Creating A New Relationship Type

Known relationships actually use groups to store their values. Each person in the database has a hidden group that contains all of the individuals with whom the person has a relationship. When you configure known relationships, you’re really configuring the Known Relationship group type.

To add a new relationship type, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the Group Types editor Admin Tools > Settings > General > Group Types and select the Known Relationship group type.
2. Open the Roles section and add the new relationship role.
3. Save the group type
4. Optional: If your relationship has an inverse relationship (grandparent <-> grandchild), you can automate the creation of the inverse relationship by editing the role you created and selecting the inverse relationship. In order to pick the inverse, you must first create the relationship roles and save the group type. Then you can go back and edit the inverse types.

When adding a new relationship, you can decide if this type of relationship should allow an individual to check-in the other. For instance, you may decide that grandparents should be allowed to check in their grandchildren.