Summary: Linkage analysis software requires an input text file that describes the structure of the pedigrees to be analysed. Manual creation of these files is tedious and error-prone, and a graphical input tool is desirable. This is currently only available in commercial packages that include much greater functionality. We have therefore developed Pelican, a lightweight graphical pedigree editor for rapid construction of linkage pedigree files and diagrams. Availability: The software runs on any Java-enabled machine (version 1.2 or higher). A Java Web Start launch, class files, a demonstration applet, source code and documentation are freely available at http://www.rfcgr.mrc.ac.uk/Software/PELICAN/