diff --git a/gramps/cli/clidbman.py b/gramps/cli/clidbman.py
index 801678477..92c1def22 100644
--- a/gramps/cli/clidbman.py
+++ b/gramps/cli/clidbman.py
@@ -190,7 +190,10 @@ class CLIDbManager(object):
             else:
                 retval["Locked?"] = "no"
             retval["DB version"] = version
-            retval["Family tree"] = name.encode(sys.getfilesystemencoding())
+            if sys.version_info[0] < 3:
+                retval["Family tree"] = name.encode(sys.getfilesystemencoding())
+            else:
+                retval["Family tree"] = name
             retval["Path"] = dirpath
             retval["Last accessed"] = time.strftime('%x %X', 
                                                     time.localtime(tval))
@@ -202,7 +205,8 @@ class CLIDbManager(object):
         """
         # make the default directory if it does not exist
         dbdir = os.path.expanduser(config.get('behavior.database-path'))
-        dbdir = dbdir.encode(sys.getfilesystemencoding())
+        if sys.version_info[0] < 3:
+            dbdir = dbdir.encode(sys.getfilesystemencoding())
         db_ok = make_dbdir(dbdir)
 
         self.current_names = []
@@ -211,7 +215,8 @@ class CLIDbManager(object):
                 dirpath = os.path.join(dbdir, dpath)
                 path_name = os.path.join(dirpath, NAME_FILE)
                 if os.path.isfile(path_name):
-                    name = file(path_name).readline().strip()
+                    file = open(path_name)
+                    name = file.readline().strip()
 
                     (tval, last) = time_val(dirpath)
                     (enable, stock_id) = self.icon_values(dirpath, self.active, 
@@ -436,7 +441,8 @@ def find_next_db_dir():
     while True:
         base = "%x" % int(time.time())
         dbdir = os.path.expanduser(config.get('behavior.database-path'))
-        dbdir = dbdir.encode(sys.getfilesystemencoding())
+        if sys.version_info[0] < 3:
+            dbdir = dbdir.encode(sys.getfilesystemencoding())
         new_path = os.path.join(dbdir, base)
         if not os.path.isdir(new_path):
             break
diff --git a/gramps/gen/db/read.py b/gramps/gen/db/read.py
index d1ba13104..2f891427e 100644
--- a/gramps/gen/db/read.py
+++ b/gramps/gen/db/read.py
@@ -105,12 +105,14 @@ DBERRS      = (db.DBRunRecoveryError, db.DBAccessError,
 def find_surname(key, data):
     """
     Creating a surname from raw data of a person, to use for sort and index
+    returns a byte string
     """
     return __index_surname(data[3][5])
 
 def find_surname_name(key, data):
     """
     Creating a surname from raw name, to use for sort and index
+    returns a byte string
     """
     return __index_surname(data[5])
 
@@ -118,6 +120,7 @@ def __index_surname(surn_list):
     """
     All non pa/matronymic surnames are used in indexing.
     pa/matronymic not as they change for every generation!
+    returns a byte string
     """
     if surn_list:
         surn = " ".join([x[0] for x in surn_list if not (x[3][0] in [
@@ -532,9 +535,12 @@ class DbBsddbRead(DbReadBase, Callback):
         Helper function for find_next_<object>_gramps_id methods
         """
         index = prefix % map_index
-        while trans.get(str(index), txn=self.txn) is not None:
+        #in bytes
+        bindex = index.encode('utf-8')
+        while trans.get(bindex, txn=self.txn) is not None:
             map_index += 1
             index = prefix % map_index
+            bindex = index.encode('utf-8')
         map_index += 1
         return (map_index, index)
         
@@ -620,7 +626,9 @@ class DbBsddbRead(DbReadBase, Callback):
         return gid
 
     def get_from_handle(self, handle, class_type, data_map):
-        data = data_map.get(str(handle))
+        if isinstance(handle, UNITYPE):
+            handle = handle.encode('utf-8')
+        data = data_map.get(handle)
         if data:
             newobj = class_type()
             newobj.unserialize(data)
@@ -737,8 +745,10 @@ class DbBsddbRead(DbReadBase, Callback):
         return self.get_from_handle(handle, Tag, self.tag_map)
 
     def __get_obj_from_gramps_id(self, val, tbl, class_, prim_tbl):
+        if isinstance(val, UNITYPE):
+            val = val.encode('utf-8')
         try:
-            data = tbl.get(str(val), txn=self.txn)
+            data = tbl.get(val, txn=self.txn)
             if data is not None:
                 obj = class_()
                 ### FIXME: this is a dirty hack that works without no
@@ -852,12 +862,9 @@ class DbBsddbRead(DbReadBase, Callback):
         Return the default grouping name for a surname.
         Return type is a unicode object
         """
-        
         if isinstance(surname, UNITYPE):
-            ssurname = surname.encode('utf-8')
-            return conv_dbstr_to_unicode(self.name_group.get(ssurname, ssurname))
-        else:
-            return conv_dbstr_to_unicode(self.name_group.get(surname, surname))
+            surname = surname.encode('utf-8')
+        return conv_dbstr_to_unicode(self.name_group.get(surname, surname))
 
     def get_name_group_keys(self):
         """
@@ -872,9 +879,8 @@ class DbBsddbRead(DbReadBase, Callback):
         # The use of has_key seems allright because there is no write lock
         # on the name_group table when this is called.
         if isinstance(name, UNITYPE):
-            return name.encode('utf-8') in self.name_group
-        else:
-            return name in self.name_group
+            name = name.encode('utf-8')
+        return name in self.name_group
 
     def get_number_of_records(self, table):
         if not self.db_is_open:
@@ -1148,8 +1154,9 @@ class DbBsddbRead(DbReadBase, Callback):
             }
 
         table = key2table[obj_key]
-        #return str(gramps_id) in table
-        return table.get(str(gramps_id), txn=self.txn) is not None
+        if isinstance(gramps_id, UNITYPE):
+            gramps_id = gramps_id.encode('utf-8')
+        return table.get(gramps_id, txn=self.txn) is not None
 
     def find_initial_person(self):
         person = self.get_default_person()
@@ -1189,7 +1196,7 @@ class DbBsddbRead(DbReadBase, Callback):
                     id_number = gramps_id[len(str_prefix):]
                     if id_number.isdigit():
                         id_value = int(id_number, 10)
-                        if len(str(id_value)) > nr_width:
+                        if len(cuni(id_value)) > nr_width:
                             # The ID to be imported is too large to fit in the
                             # users format. For now just create a new ID,
                             # because that is also what happens with IDs that
@@ -1383,13 +1390,13 @@ class DbBsddbRead(DbReadBase, Callback):
         if person:
             return person
         elif (self.metadata is not None) and (not self.readonly):
-            self.metadata['default'] = None
+            self.metadata[b'default'] = None
         return None
 
     def get_default_handle(self):
         """Return the default Person of the database."""
         if self.metadata is not None:
-            return self.metadata.get('default')
+            return self.metadata.get(b'default')
         return None
 
     def get_save_path(self):
@@ -1505,8 +1512,10 @@ class DbBsddbRead(DbReadBase, Callback):
         """
         Helper method for get_raw_<object>_data methods
         """
+        if isinstance(handle, UNITYPE):
+            handle = handle.encode('utf-8')
         try:
-            return table.get(str(handle), txn=self.txn)
+            return table.get(handle, txn=self.txn)
         except DBERRS as msg:
             self.__log_error()
             raise DbError(msg)
@@ -1545,8 +1554,10 @@ class DbBsddbRead(DbReadBase, Callback):
         """
         Helper function for has_<object>_handle methods
         """
+        if isinstance(handle, UNITYPE):
+            handle = handle.encode('utf-8')
         try:
-            return table.get(str(handle), txn=self.txn) is not None
+            return table.get(handle, txn=self.txn) is not None
         except DBERRS as msg:
             self.__log_error()
             raise DbError(msg)
@@ -1611,62 +1622,94 @@ class DbBsddbRead(DbReadBase, Callback):
         """
         return self.__has_handle(self.tag_map, handle)
 
-    def __sortbyperson_key(self, person):
-        return locale.strxfrm(find_surname(str(person), 
-                                           self.person_map.get(str(person))))
+    def __sortbyperson_key(self, handle):
+        if isinstance(handle, UNITYPE):
+            handle = handle.encode('utf-8')
+        return locale.strxfrm(find_surname(handle, 
+                                           self.person_map.get(handle)))
 
     def __sortbyplace(self, first, second):
-        return locale.strcoll(self.place_map.get(str(first))[2], 
-                              self.place_map.get(str(second))[2])
+        if isinstance(first, UNITYPE):
+            first = first.encode('utf-8')
+        if isinstance(second, UNITYPE):
+            second = second.encode('utf-8')
+        return locale.strcoll(self.place_map.get(first)[2], 
+                              self.place_map.get(second)[2])
 
     def __sortbyplace_key(self, place):
-        return locale.strxfrm(self.place_map.get(str(place))[2])
+        if isinstance(place, UNITYPE):
+            place = place.encode('utf-8')
+        return locale.strxfrm(self.place_map.get(place)[2])
 
     def __sortbysource(self, first, second):
-        source1 = cuni(self.source_map[str(first)][2])
-        source2 = cuni(self.source_map[str(second)][2])
+        if isinstance(first, UNITYPE):
+            first = first.encode('utf-8')
+        if isinstance(second, UNITYPE):
+            second = second.encode('utf-8')
+        source1 = cuni(self.source_map[first][2])
+        source2 = cuni(self.source_map[second][2])
         return locale.strcoll(source1, source2)
         
     def __sortbysource_key(self, key):
-        source = cuni(self.source_map[str(key)][2])
+        if isinstance(key, UNITYPE):
+            key = key.encode('utf-8')
+        source = cuni(self.source_map[key][2])
         return locale.strxfrm(source)
 
     def __sortbycitation(self, first, second):
-        citation1 = cuni(self.citation_map[str(first)][3])
-        citation2 = cuni(self.citation_map[str(second)][3])
+        if isinstance(first, UNITYPE):
+            first = first.encode('utf-8')
+        if isinstance(second, UNITYPE):
+            second = second.encode('utf-8')
+        citation1 = cuni(self.citation_map[first][3])
+        citation2 = cuni(self.citation_map[second][3])
         return locale.strcoll(citation1, citation2)
         
     def __sortbycitation_key(self, key):
-        citation = cuni(self.citation_map[str(key)][3])
+        if isinstance(key, UNITYPE):
+            key = key.encode('utf-8')
+        citation = cuni(self.citation_map[key][3])
         return locale.strxfrm(citation)
 
     def __sortbymedia(self, first, second):
-        media1 = self.media_map[str(first)][4]
-        media2 = self.media_map[str(second)][4]
+        if isinstance(first, UNITYPE):
+            first = first.encode('utf-8')
+        if isinstance(second, UNITYPE):
+            second = second.encode('utf-8')
+        media1 = self.media_map[first][4]
+        media2 = self.media_map[second][4]
         return locale.strcoll(media1, media2)
 
     def __sortbymedia_key(self, key):
-        media = self.media_map[str(key)][4]
+        if isinstance(key, UNITYPE):
+            key = key.encode('utf-8')
+        media = self.media_map[key][4]
         return locale.strxfrm(media)
 
     def __sortbytag(self, first, second):
-        tag1 = self.tag_map[str(first)][1]
-        tag2 = self.tag_map[str(second)][1]
+        if isinstance(first, UNITYPE):
+            first = first.encode('utf-8')
+        if isinstance(second, UNITYPE):
+            second = second.encode('utf-8')
+        tag1 = self.tag_map[first][1]
+        tag2 = self.tag_map[second][1]
         return locale.strcoll(tag1, tag2)
 
     def __sortbytag_key(self, key):
-        tag = self.tag_map[str(key)][1]
+        if isinstance(key, UNITYPE):
+            key = key.encode('utf-8')
+        tag = self.tag_map[key][1]
         return locale.strxfrm(tag)
 
     def set_mediapath(self, path):
         """Set the default media path for database, path should be utf-8."""
         if (self.metadata is not None) and (not self.readonly):
-            self.metadata['mediapath'] = path
+            self.metadata[b'mediapath'] = path
 
     def get_mediapath(self):
         """Return the default media path of the database."""
         if self.metadata is not None:
-            return self.metadata.get('mediapath', None)
+            return self.metadata.get(b'mediapath', None)
         return None
 
     def find_backlink_handles(self, handle, include_classes=None):
diff --git a/gramps/gen/db/write.py b/gramps/gen/db/write.py
index ace6d373f..2da80356b 100644
--- a/gramps/gen/db/write.py
+++ b/gramps/gen/db/write.py
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ from ..utils.callback import Callback
 from ..utils.cast import (conv_unicode_tosrtkey, conv_dbstr_to_unicode)
 from ..updatecallback import UpdateCallback
 from ..errors import DbError
-from ..constfunc import win, conv_to_unicode
+from ..constfunc import win, conv_to_unicode, cuni, UNITYPE
 
 _LOG = logging.getLogger(DBLOGNAME)
 LOG = logging.getLogger(".citation")
@@ -165,7 +165,13 @@ KEY_TO_NAME_MAP = {PERSON_KEY: 'person',
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 def find_idmap(key, data):
-    return str(data[1])
+    """ return id for association of secondary index.
+    returns a byte string
+    """
+    val = data[1]
+    if isinstance(val, UNITYPE):
+        val = val.encode('utf-8')
+    return val
 
 # Secondary database key lookups for reference_map table
 # reference_map data values are of the form:
@@ -173,10 +179,22 @@ def find_idmap(key, data):
 #    (referenced_object_class_name, referenced_object_handle))
 
 def find_primary_handle(key, data):
-    return str((data)[0][1])
+    """ return handle for association of indexes
+    returns byte string
+    """
+    val = (data)[0][1]
+    if isinstance(val, UNITYPE):
+        val = val.encode('utf-8')
+    return val
 
 def find_referenced_handle(key, data):
-    return str((data)[1][1])
+    """ return handle for association of indexes
+    returns byte string
+    """
+    val = (data)[1][1]
+    if isinstance(val, UNITYPE):
+        val = val.encode('utf-8')
+    return val
 
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
@@ -351,10 +369,13 @@ class DbBsddb(DbBsddbRead, DbWriteBase, UpdateCallback):
     @catch_db_error
     def set_default_person_handle(self, handle):
         """Set the default Person to the passed instance."""
+        #we store a byte string!
+        if isinstance(handle, UNITYPE):
+            handle = handle.encode('utf-8')
         if not self.readonly:
             # Start transaction
             with BSDDBTxn(self.env, self.metadata) as txn:
-                txn.put('default', str(handle))
+                txn.put(b'default', handle)
             self.emit('home-person-changed')
 
     @catch_db_error
@@ -366,7 +387,7 @@ class DbBsddb(DbBsddbRead, DbWriteBase, UpdateCallback):
         elif (self.metadata) and (not self.readonly):
             # Start transaction
             with BSDDBTxn(self.env, self.metadata) as txn:
-                txn.put('default', None)            
+                txn.put(b'default', None)            
         return None
 
     def set_mediapath(self, path):
@@ -374,7 +395,7 @@ class DbBsddb(DbBsddbRead, DbWriteBase, UpdateCallback):
         if self.metadata and not self.readonly:
             # Start transaction
             with BSDDBTxn(self.env, self.metadata) as txn:
-                txn.put('mediapath', path)            
+                txn.put(b'mediapath', path)            
 
     def __check_bdb_version(self, name):
         """Older version of Berkeley DB can't read data created by a newer
@@ -399,12 +420,12 @@ class DbBsddb(DbBsddbRead, DbWriteBase, UpdateCallback):
 
     @catch_db_error
     def version_supported(self):
-        dbversion = self.metadata.get('version', default=0)
+        dbversion = self.metadata.get(b'version', default=0)
         return ((dbversion <= _DBVERSION) and (dbversion >= _MINVERSION))
 
     @catch_db_error
     def need_upgrade(self):
-        dbversion = self.metadata.get('version', default=0)
+        dbversion = self.metadata.get(b'version', default=0)
         return not self.readonly and dbversion < _DBVERSION
 
     def __check_readonly(self, name):
@@ -505,7 +526,7 @@ class DbBsddb(DbBsddbRead, DbWriteBase, UpdateCallback):
             raise DbVersionError()
 
         self.__load_metadata()
-        gstats = self.metadata.get('gender_stats', default=None)
+        gstats = self.metadata.get(b'gender_stats', default=None)
 
         # Ensure version info in metadata
         if not self.readonly:
@@ -515,7 +536,7 @@ class DbBsddb(DbBsddbRead, DbWriteBase, UpdateCallback):
                     # New database. Set up the current version.
                     #self.metadata.put('version', _DBVERSION, txn=the_txn)
                     txn.put('version', _DBVERSION)
-                elif 'version' not in self.metadata:
+                elif b'version' not in self.metadata:
                     # Not new database, but the version is missing.
                     # Use 0, but it is likely to fail anyway.
                     txn.put('version', 0)
@@ -605,7 +626,7 @@ class DbBsddb(DbBsddbRead, DbWriteBase, UpdateCallback):
 
     def __load_metadata(self):
         # name display formats
-        self.name_formats = self.metadata.get('name_formats', default=[])
+        self.name_formats = self.metadata.get(b'name_formats', default=[])
         # upgrade formats if they were saved in the old way
         for format_ix in range(len(self.name_formats)):
             format = self.name_formats[format_ix]
@@ -615,7 +636,7 @@ class DbBsddb(DbBsddbRead, DbWriteBase, UpdateCallback):
         
         # database owner
         try:
-            owner_data = self.metadata.get('researcher')
+            owner_data = self.metadata.get(b'researcher')
             if owner_data:
                 if len(owner_data[0]) == 7: # Pre-3.3 format
                     owner_data = upgrade_researcher(owner_data)
@@ -626,35 +647,35 @@ class DbBsddb(DbBsddbRead, DbWriteBase, UpdateCallback):
         # bookmarks
         meta = lambda meta: self.metadata.get(meta, default=[])
         
-        self.bookmarks.set(meta('bookmarks'))
-        self.family_bookmarks.set(meta('family_bookmarks'))
-        self.event_bookmarks.set(meta('event_bookmarks'))
-        self.source_bookmarks.set(meta('source_bookmarks'))
-        self.citation_bookmarks.set(meta('citation_bookmarks'))
-        self.repo_bookmarks.set(meta('repo_bookmarks'))
-        self.media_bookmarks.set(meta('media_bookmarks'))
-        self.place_bookmarks.set(meta('place_bookmarks'))
-        self.note_bookmarks.set(meta('note_bookmarks'))
+        self.bookmarks.set(meta(b'bookmarks'))
+        self.family_bookmarks.set(meta(b'family_bookmarks'))
+        self.event_bookmarks.set(meta(b'event_bookmarks'))
+        self.source_bookmarks.set(meta(b'source_bookmarks'))
+        self.citation_bookmarks.set(meta(b'citation_bookmarks'))
+        self.repo_bookmarks.set(meta(b'repo_bookmarks'))
+        self.media_bookmarks.set(meta(b'media_bookmarks'))
+        self.place_bookmarks.set(meta(b'place_bookmarks'))
+        self.note_bookmarks.set(meta(b'note_bookmarks'))
 
         # Custom type values
-        self.family_event_names = set(meta('fevent_names'))
-        self.individual_event_names = set(meta('pevent_names'))
-        self.family_attributes = set(meta('fattr_names'))
-        self.individual_attributes = set(meta('pattr_names'))
-        self.marker_names = set(meta('marker_names'))
-        self.child_ref_types = set(meta('child_refs'))
-        self.family_rel_types = set(meta('family_rels'))
-        self.event_role_names = set(meta('event_roles'))
-        self.name_types = set(meta('name_types'))
-        self.origin_types = set(meta('origin_types'))
-        self.repository_types = set(meta('repo_types'))
-        self.note_types = set(meta('note_types'))
-        self.source_media_types = set(meta('sm_types'))
-        self.url_types = set(meta('url_types'))
-        self.media_attributes = set(meta('mattr_names'))
+        self.family_event_names = set(meta(b'fevent_names'))
+        self.individual_event_names = set(meta(b'pevent_names'))
+        self.family_attributes = set(meta(b'fattr_names'))
+        self.individual_attributes = set(meta(b'pattr_names'))
+        self.marker_names = set(meta(b'marker_names'))
+        self.child_ref_types = set(meta(b'child_refs'))
+        self.family_rel_types = set(meta(b'family_rels'))
+        self.event_role_names = set(meta(b'event_roles'))
+        self.name_types = set(meta(b'name_types'))
+        self.origin_types = set(meta(b'origin_types'))
+        self.repository_types = set(meta(b'repo_types'))
+        self.note_types = set(meta(b'note_types'))
+        self.source_media_types = set(meta(b'sm_types'))
+        self.url_types = set(meta(b'url_types'))
+        self.media_attributes = set(meta(b'mattr_names'))
 
         # surname list
-        self.surname_list = meta('surname_list')
+        self.surname_list = meta(b'surname_list')
 
     def __connect_secondary(self):
         """
@@ -790,8 +811,8 @@ class DbBsddb(DbBsddbRead, DbWriteBase, UpdateCallback):
 
             result_list = list(find_backlink_handles(handle))
         """
-
-        handle = str(handle)
+        if isinstance(handle, UNITYPE):
+            handle = handle.encode('utf-8')
         # Use the secondary index to locate all the reference_map entries
         # that include a reference to the object we are looking for.
         referenced_cur = self.get_reference_map_referenced_cursor()
@@ -925,25 +946,28 @@ class DbBsddb(DbBsddbRead, DbWriteBase, UpdateCallback):
         Remove the reference specified by the key, preserving the change in 
         the passed transaction.
         """
+        if isinstance(key, UNITYPE):
+            key = key.encode('utf-8')
         if not self.readonly:
             if not transaction.batch:
-                old_data = self.reference_map.get(str(key), txn=txn)
-                transaction.add(REFERENCE_KEY, TXNDEL, str(key), old_data, None)
+                old_data = self.reference_map.get(key, txn=txn)
+                transaction.add(REFERENCE_KEY, TXNDEL, key, old_data, None)
                 #transaction.reference_del.append(str(key))
-            self.reference_map.delete(str(key), txn=txn)
+            self.reference_map.delete(key, txn=txn)
 
     def __add_reference(self, key, data, transaction, txn):
         """
         Add the reference specified by the key and the data, preserving the 
         change in the passed transaction.
         """
-
+        if isinstance(key, UNITYPE):
+            key = key.encode('utf-8')
         if self.readonly or not key:
             return
         
-        self.reference_map.put(str(key), data, txn=txn)
+        self.reference_map.put(key, data, txn=txn)
         if not transaction.batch:
-            transaction.add(REFERENCE_KEY, TXNADD, str(key), None, data)
+            transaction.add(REFERENCE_KEY, TXNADD, key, None, data)
             #transaction.reference_add.append((str(key), data))
 
     @catch_db_error
@@ -1030,45 +1054,45 @@ class DbBsddb(DbBsddbRead, DbWriteBase, UpdateCallback):
             with BSDDBTxn(self.env, self.metadata) as txn:
 
             # name display formats
-                txn.put('name_formats', self.name_formats)
+                txn.put(b'name_formats', self.name_formats)
                 
                 # database owner
                 owner_data = self.owner.serialize()
-                txn.put('researcher', owner_data)
+                txn.put(b'researcher', owner_data)
 
                 # bookmarks
-                txn.put('bookmarks', self.bookmarks.get())
-                txn.put('family_bookmarks', self.family_bookmarks.get())
-                txn.put('event_bookmarks', self.event_bookmarks.get())
-                txn.put('source_bookmarks', self.source_bookmarks.get())
-                txn.put('citation_bookmarks', self.citation_bookmarks.get())
-                txn.put('place_bookmarks', self.place_bookmarks.get())
-                txn.put('repo_bookmarks', self.repo_bookmarks.get())
-                txn.put('media_bookmarks', self.media_bookmarks.get())
-                txn.put('note_bookmarks', self.note_bookmarks.get())
+                txn.put(b'bookmarks', self.bookmarks.get())
+                txn.put(b'family_bookmarks', self.family_bookmarks.get())
+                txn.put(b'event_bookmarks', self.event_bookmarks.get())
+                txn.put(b'source_bookmarks', self.source_bookmarks.get())
+                txn.put(b'citation_bookmarks', self.citation_bookmarks.get())
+                txn.put(b'place_bookmarks', self.place_bookmarks.get())
+                txn.put(b'repo_bookmarks', self.repo_bookmarks.get())
+                txn.put(b'media_bookmarks', self.media_bookmarks.get())
+                txn.put(b'note_bookmarks', self.note_bookmarks.get())
 
                 # gender stats
-                txn.put('gender_stats', self.genderStats.save_stats())
+                txn.put(b'gender_stats', self.genderStats.save_stats())
 
                 # Custom type values
-                txn.put('fevent_names', list(self.family_event_names))
-                txn.put('pevent_names', list(self.individual_event_names))
-                txn.put('fattr_names', list(self.family_attributes))
-                txn.put('pattr_names', list(self.individual_attributes))
-                txn.put('marker_names', list(self.marker_names))
-                txn.put('child_refs', list(self.child_ref_types))
-                txn.put('family_rels', list(self.family_rel_types))
-                txn.put('event_roles', list(self.event_role_names))
-                txn.put('name_types', list(self.name_types))
-                txn.put('origin_types', list(self.origin_types))
-                txn.put('repo_types', list(self.repository_types))
-                txn.put('note_types', list(self.note_types))
-                txn.put('sm_types', list(self.source_media_types))
-                txn.put('url_types', list(self.url_types))
-                txn.put('mattr_names', list(self.media_attributes))
+                txn.put(b'fevent_names', list(self.family_event_names))
+                txn.put(b'pevent_names', list(self.individual_event_names))
+                txn.put(b'fattr_names', list(self.family_attributes))
+                txn.put(b'pattr_names', list(self.individual_attributes))
+                txn.put(b'marker_names', list(self.marker_names))
+                txn.put(b'child_refs', list(self.child_ref_types))
+                txn.put(b'family_rels', list(self.family_rel_types))
+                txn.put(b'event_roles', list(self.event_role_names))
+                txn.put(b'name_types', list(self.name_types))
+                txn.put(b'origin_types', list(self.origin_types))
+                txn.put(b'repo_types', list(self.repository_types))
+                txn.put(b'note_types', list(self.note_types))
+                txn.put(b'sm_types', list(self.source_media_types))
+                txn.put(b'url_types', list(self.url_types))
+                txn.put(b'mattr_names', list(self.media_attributes))
 
                 # name display formats
-                txn.put('surname_list', self.surname_list)
+                txn.put(b'surname_list', self.surname_list)
 
         self.metadata.close()
 
@@ -1169,10 +1193,14 @@ class DbBsddb(DbBsddbRead, DbWriteBase, UpdateCallback):
         if self.update_env_version:
             versionpath = os.path.join(self.path, BDBVERSFN)
             try:
-                with open(versionpath, "w") as version_file:
-                    version_file.write(str(db.version()))
+                with open(versionpath, "wb") as version_file:
+                    version = db.version()
+                    if isinstance(version, UNITYPE):
+                        version = version.encode('utf-8')
+                    version_file.write(version)
             except:
                 # Storing the version of Berkeley Db is not really vital.
+                print ("Error storing berkeley db version")
                 pass
 
         try:
@@ -1322,7 +1350,8 @@ class DbBsddb(DbBsddbRead, DbWriteBase, UpdateCallback):
         if self.readonly or not handle:
             return
 
-        handle = str(handle)
+        if isinstance(handle, UNITYPE):
+            handle = handle.encode('utf-8')
         if transaction.batch:
             with BSDDBTxn(self.env, data_map) as txn:
                 self.delete_primary_from_reference_map(handle, transaction,
@@ -1346,6 +1375,8 @@ class DbBsddb(DbBsddbRead, DbWriteBase, UpdateCallback):
         person = self.get_person_from_handle(handle)
         self.genderStats.uncount_person (person)
         self.remove_from_surname_list(person)
+        if isinstance(handle, UNITYPE):
+            handle = handle.encode('utf-8')
         if transaction.batch:
             with BSDDBTxn(self.env, self.person_map) as txn:            
                 self.delete_primary_from_reference_map(handle, transaction,
@@ -1354,7 +1385,7 @@ class DbBsddb(DbBsddbRead, DbWriteBase, UpdateCallback):
         else:
             self.delete_primary_from_reference_map(handle, transaction,
                                                    txn=self.txn)
-            self.person_map.delete(str(handle), txn=self.txn)
+            self.person_map.delete(handle, txn=self.txn)
             transaction.add(PERSON_KEY, TXNDEL, handle, person.serialize(), None)
 
     def remove_source(self, handle, transaction):
@@ -1496,7 +1527,7 @@ class DbBsddb(DbBsddbRead, DbWriteBase, UpdateCallback):
         else:
             if isinstance(name, str):
                 uname = name
-                name = str(name)
+                name = name.encode('utf-8')
             else:
                 uname = str(name)
         try:
@@ -1525,7 +1556,9 @@ class DbBsddb(DbBsddbRead, DbWriteBase, UpdateCallback):
             return 
 
         obj.change = int(change_time or time.time())
-        handle = str(obj.handle)
+        handle = obj.handle
+        if isinstance(handle, UNITYPE):
+            handle = handle.encode('utf-8')
 
         self.update_reference_map(obj, transaction, self.txn)
 
@@ -1748,8 +1781,10 @@ class DbBsddb(DbBsddbRead, DbWriteBase, UpdateCallback):
                           transaction, change_time)
 
     def get_from_handle(self, handle, class_type, data_map):
+        if isinstance(handle, UNITYPE):
+            handle = handle.encode('utf-8')
         try:
-            data = data_map.get(str(handle), txn=self.txn)
+            data = data_map.get(handle, txn=self.txn)
         except:
             data = None
             # under certain circumstances during a database reload,
@@ -1938,7 +1973,7 @@ class DbBsddb(DbBsddbRead, DbWriteBase, UpdateCallback):
     def gramps_upgrade(self, callback=None):
         UpdateCallback.__init__(self, callback)
         
-        version = self.metadata.get('version', default=_MINVERSION)
+        version = self.metadata.get(b'version', default=_MINVERSION)
 
         t = time.time()
 
diff --git a/gramps/gen/display/name.py b/gramps/gen/display/name.py
index 9188ec9a3..163390088 100644
--- a/gramps/gen/display/name.py
+++ b/gramps/gen/display/name.py
@@ -117,7 +117,8 @@ PAT_AS_SURN = False
 # avoid translations of shorter terms which appear in longer ones, eg
 # namelast may not be mistaken with name, so namelast must first be 
 # converted to %k before name is converted. 
-def _make_cmp(a, b): return -cmp((len(a[1]),a[1]), (len(b[1]), b[1]))
+##def _make_cmp(a, b): return -cmp((len(a[1]),a[1]), (len(b[1]), b[1]))
+def _make_cmp_key(a): return (len(a[1]),a[1])  # set reverse to True!!
 
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
@@ -458,7 +459,7 @@ class NameDisplay(object):
         """
         the_list = []
 
-        keys = sorted(self.name_formats, self._sort_name_format) 
+        keys = sorted(self.name_formats, key=self.cmp_to_key(self._sort_name_format)) 
         
         for num in keys:
             if ((also_default or num) and
@@ -468,6 +469,29 @@ class NameDisplay(object):
 
         return the_list
 
+    def cmp_to_key(self, mycmp):
+        """
+        python 2 to 3 conversion, python recipe http://code.activestate.com/recipes/576653/
+        Convert a cmp= function into a key= function
+        We use this in Gramps as understanding the old compare function is 
+        not trivial. This should be replaced by a proper key function
+        """
+        class K(object):
+            def __init__(self, obj, *args):
+                self.obj = obj
+            def __lt__(self, other):
+                return mycmp(self.obj, other.obj) < 0
+            def __gt__(self, other):
+                return mycmp(self.obj, other.obj) > 0
+            def __eq__(self, other):
+                return mycmp(self.obj, other.obj) == 0
+            def __le__(self, other):
+                return mycmp(self.obj, other.obj) <= 0  
+            def __ge__(self, other):
+                return mycmp(self.obj, other.obj) >= 0
+            def __ne__(self, other):
+                return mycmp(self.obj, other.obj) != 0
+        return K
     def _sort_name_format(self, x, y):
         if x < 0:
             if y < 0: 
@@ -942,7 +966,7 @@ class NameDisplay(object):
             pass
         else:
             d_keys = [(code, _tuple[2]) for code, _tuple in d.items()]
-            d_keys.sort(_make_cmp) # reverse on length and by ikeyword
+            d_keys.sort(key=_make_cmp_key, reverse=True) # reverse on length and by ikeyword
             for (code, ikeyword) in d_keys:
                 exp, keyword, ikeyword = d[code]
                 #ikeyword = unicode(ikeyword, "utf8")
@@ -958,7 +982,7 @@ class NameDisplay(object):
             pass
         else:
             d_keys = [(code, _tuple[1]) for code, _tuple in d.items()]
-            d_keys.sort(_make_cmp) # reverse sort on length and by keyword
+            d_keys.sort(key=_make_cmp_key, reverse=True) # reverse sort on length and by keyword
             # if in double quotes, just use % codes
             for (code, keyword) in d_keys:
                 exp, keyword, ikeyword = d[code]
@@ -1024,6 +1048,6 @@ def fn(%s):
     return cleanup_name("%s" %% (%s))""" % (args, new_fmt, ",".join(param))
         exec(s)
 
-        return fn
+        return locals()['fn']
 
 displayer = NameDisplay()
diff --git a/gramps/gen/lib/date.py b/gramps/gen/lib/date.py
index f1074c073..832ae0b91 100644
--- a/gramps/gen/lib/date.py
+++ b/gramps/gen/lib/date.py
@@ -249,17 +249,20 @@ class Span(object):
         else:
             return  (self.sort[0] + self.sort[1])
 
-    def __cmp__(self, other):
-        """
-        Comparing two Spans for SORTING purposes. 
-        Use cmp(abs(int(span1)), abs(int(span2))) for comparing
-        actual spans of times, as spans have directionality 
-        as indicated by negative values.
-        """
-        if other is None:
-            return cmp(int(self), -9999)
-        else:
-            return cmp(int(self), int(other))
+##    def __cmp__(self, other):
+##        """
+##        DEPRECATED - not available in python 3
+##        
+##        Comparing two Spans for SORTING purposes. 
+##        Use cmp(abs(int(span1)), abs(int(span2))) for comparing
+##        actual spans of times, as spans have directionality 
+##        as indicated by negative values.
+##        """
+##        raise NotImplementedError
+##        if other is None:
+##            return cmp(int(self), -9999)
+##        else:
+##            return cmp(int(self), int(other))
 
     def as_age(self):
         """
@@ -699,17 +702,64 @@ class Date(object):
         self.sortval  = source.sortval
         self.newyear  = source.newyear
 
-    def __cmp__(self, other):
+##   PYTHON 3 no __cmp__
+##    def __cmp__(self, other):
+##        """
+##        Compare two dates.
+##        
+##        Comparison function. Allows the usage of equality tests.
+##        This allows you do run statements like 'date1 <= date2'
+##        """
+##        if isinstance(other, Date):
+##            return cmp(self.sortval, other.sortval)
+##        else:
+##            return -1
+
+    # Can't use this (as is) as this breaks comparing dates to None
+    #def __eq__(self, other):
+    #    return self.sortval == other.sortval
+    
+    def __eq__(self, other):
         """
-        Compare two dates.
-        
-        Comparison function. Allows the usage of equality tests.
-        This allows you do run statements like 'date1 <= date2'
+        Equality based on sort value, use is_equal/match instead if needed
         """
         if isinstance(other, Date):
-            return cmp(self.sortval, other.sortval)
+            return self.sortval == other.sortval
         else:
-            return -1
+            #indicate this is not supported
+            return False
+
+    def __ne__(self, other):
+        """
+        Equality based on sort value, use is_equal/match instead if needed
+        """
+        if isinstance(other, Date):
+            return self.sortval != other.sortval
+        else:
+            #indicate this is not supported
+            return True
+
+    def __le__(self, other):
+        """
+        <= based on sort value, use match instead if needed
+        So this is different from using < which uses match!
+        """
+        if isinstance(other, Date):
+            return self.sortval <= other.sortval
+        else:
+            #indicate this is not supported
+            return NotImplemented
+
+    def __ge__(self, other):
+        """
+        >= based on sort value, use match instead if needed
+        So this is different from using > which uses match!
+        """
+        if isinstance(other, Date):
+            return self.sortval >= other.sortval
+        else:
+            #indicate this is not supported
+            return NotImplemented
 
     def __add__(self, other):
         """
@@ -741,10 +791,6 @@ class Date(object):
         else:
             raise AttributeError("unknown date sub type: %s " % type(other))
 
-    # Can't use this (as is) as this breaks comparing dates to None
-    #def __eq__(self, other):
-    #    return self.sortval == other.sortval
-
     def __contains__(self, string):
         """
         For use with "x in Date" syntax.
@@ -759,7 +805,7 @@ class Date(object):
 
     def __lt__(self, other):
         """
-        Comparison for less than.
+        Comparison for less than using match, use sortval instead if needed.
         """
         return self.match(other, comparison="<")
 
@@ -771,7 +817,7 @@ class Date(object):
 
     def __gt__(self, other):
         """
-        Comparison for greater than.
+        Comparison for greater than using match, use sortval instead if needed.
         """
         return self.match(other, comparison=">")
 
diff --git a/gramps/gen/lib/grampstype.py b/gramps/gen/lib/grampstype.py
index 6e817bef1..33658a444 100644
--- a/gramps/gen/lib/grampstype.py
+++ b/gramps/gen/lib/grampstype.py
@@ -271,24 +271,50 @@ class GrampsType(GrampsTypeC):
     def get_custom(self):
         return self._CUSTOM
     
-    def __cmp__(self, value):
+    def __eq__(self, value):
         if isinstance(value, int):
-            return cmp(self.__value, value)
+            return self.__value == value
         elif isinstance(value, STRTYPE):
             if self.__value == self._CUSTOM:
-                return cmp(self.__string, value)
+                return self.__string == value
             else:
-                return cmp(self._I2SMAP.get(self.__value), value)
+                return self._I2SMAP.get(self.__value) == value
         elif isinstance(value, tuple):
             if self.__value == self._CUSTOM:
-                return cmp((self.__value, self.__string), value)
+                return (self.__value, self.__string) == value
             else:
-                return cmp(self.__value, value[0])
+                return self.__value == value[0]
         else:
             if value.value == self._CUSTOM:
-                return cmp(self.__string, value.string)
+                return self.__string == value.string
             else:
-                return cmp(self.__value, value.value)
+                return self.__value == value.value
+
+    def __ne__(self, value):
+        return not self.__eq__(value)
+    
+##    Python 3 does not have __cmp__
+##    def __cmp__(self, value):
+##        print ('cmp', type(value), STRTYPE)
+##        if isinstance(value, int):
+##            return cmp(self.__value, value)
+##        elif isinstance(value, STRTYPE):
+##            print('ok!')
+##            if self.__value == self._CUSTOM:
+##                return cmp(self.__string, value)
+##            else:
+##                print (self._I2SMAP.get(self.__value), value, cmp(self._I2SMAP.get(self.__value), value))
+##                return cmp(self._I2SMAP.get(self.__value), value)
+##        elif isinstance(value, tuple):
+##            if self.__value == self._CUSTOM:
+##                return cmp((self.__value, self.__string), value)
+##            else:
+##                return cmp(self.__value, value[0])
+##        else:
+##            if value.value == self._CUSTOM:
+##                return cmp(self.__string, value.string)
+##            else:
+##                return cmp(self.__value, value.value)
 
     value = property(__int__, __set_int, None, "Returns or sets integer value")
     string = property(__str__, __set_str, None, "Returns or sets string value")
diff --git a/gramps/gen/lib/secondaryobj.py b/gramps/gen/lib/secondaryobj.py
index 4af8a639e..2490bd5db 100644
--- a/gramps/gen/lib/secondaryobj.py
+++ b/gramps/gen/lib/secondaryobj.py
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ class SecondaryObject(BaseObject):
     """
     
     def is_equal(self, source):
-        return cmp(self.serialize(), source.serialize()) == 0
+        return self.serialize() == source.serialize()
 
     def is_equivalent(self, other):
         """
diff --git a/gramps/gen/plug/_pluginreg.py b/gramps/gen/plug/_pluginreg.py
index 3b5f8a6a8..44e26e778 100644
--- a/gramps/gen/plug/_pluginreg.py
+++ b/gramps/gen/plug/_pluginreg.py
@@ -1089,10 +1089,12 @@ class PluginRegister(object):
                 continue
             lenpd = len(self.__plugindata)
             full_filename = os.path.join(dir, filename)
+            if sys.version_info[0] < 3:
+                full_filename = full_filename.encode(sys.getfilesystemencoding())
             local_gettext = get_addon_translator(full_filename).gettext
             try:
                 #execfile(full_filename,
-                exec(compile(open(full_filename.encode(sys.getfilesystemencoding())).read(), full_filename.encode(sys.getfilesystemencoding()), 'exec'),
+                exec(compile(open(full_filename).read(), full_filename, 'exec'),
                          make_environment(_=local_gettext),
                          {})
             except ValueError as msg:
diff --git a/gramps/gen/recentfiles.py b/gramps/gen/recentfiles.py
index fb4dcd7a3..19f1d5f25 100644
--- a/gramps/gen/recentfiles.py
+++ b/gramps/gen/recentfiles.py
@@ -80,8 +80,27 @@ class RecentItem(object):
     def get_time(self):
         return self.time
 
-    def __cmp__(self, other_item):
-        return cmp(self.time, other_item.time)
+    def __eq__(self, other_item):
+        return self.time == other_item.time
+
+    def __ne__(self, other_item):
+        return self.time != other_item.time
+
+    def __lt__(self, other_item):
+        return self.time < other_item.time
+
+    def __gt__(self, other_item):
+        return self.time > other_item.time
+
+    def __le__(self, other_item):
+        return self.time <= other_item.time
+
+    def __ge__(self, other_item):
+        return self.time >= other_item.time
+
+##    Python 3, no __cmp__
+##    def __cmp__(self, other_item):
+##        return cmp(self.time, other_item.time)
 
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
diff --git a/gramps/gen/simple/_simpleaccess.py b/gramps/gen/simple/_simpleaccess.py
index 2facc54a7..d26a0b4f4 100644
--- a/gramps/gen/simple/_simpleaccess.py
+++ b/gramps/gen/simple/_simpleaccess.py
@@ -994,6 +994,7 @@ class SimpleAccess(object):
 
 def by_date(event1, event2):
     """
+    DEPRECATED! 
     Sort function that will compare two events by their dates.
 
     @param event1: first event
diff --git a/gramps/gen/simple/_simpletable.py b/gramps/gen/simple/_simpletable.py
index fa3d1e758..748f77504 100644
--- a/gramps/gen/simple/_simpletable.py
+++ b/gramps/gen/simple/_simpletable.py
@@ -186,9 +186,9 @@ class SimpleTable(object):
         idx = self._columns.index(self._sort_col)
         # FIXME: move raw_data with this
         if self._sort_reverse:
-            self._rows.sort(lambda a, b: -cmp(a[idx],b[idx]))
+            self._rows.sort(key=lambda a: a[idx], reverse=True)
         else:
-            self._rows.sort(lambda a, b: cmp(a[idx],b[idx]))
+            self._rows.sort(key=lambda a: a[idx])
 
     def write(self, document, column_widths=None):
         doc = document.doc
diff --git a/gramps/gen/sort.py b/gramps/gen/sort.py
index 5364b9b51..14dd635f4 100644
--- a/gramps/gen/sort.py
+++ b/gramps/gen/sort.py
@@ -54,27 +54,27 @@ class Sort(object):
     def __init__(self, database):
         self.database = database
 
-    def by_last_name(self, first_id, second_id):
-        """Sort routine for comparing two last names. If last names are equal, 
-        uses the given name and suffix"""
-        first = self.database.get_person_from_handle(first_id)
-        second = self.database.get_person_from_handle(second_id)
-        
-        name1 = first.get_primary_name()
-        name2 = second.get_primary_name()
-
-        fsn = name1.get_surname()
-        ssn = name2.get_surname()
-
-        if fsn == ssn :
-            ffn = name1.get_first_name()
-            sfn = name2.get_first_name()
-            if ffn == sfn:
-                return locale.strcoll(name1.get_suffix(), name2.get_suffix())
-            else:
-                return locale.strcoll(ffn, sfn)
-        else:
-            return locale.strcoll(fsn, ssn)
+##    def by_last_name(self, first_id, second_id):
+##        """Sort routine for comparing two last names. If last names are equal, 
+##        uses the given name and suffix"""
+##        first = self.database.get_person_from_handle(first_id)
+##        second = self.database.get_person_from_handle(second_id)
+##        
+##        name1 = first.get_primary_name()
+##        name2 = second.get_primary_name()
+##
+##        fsn = name1.get_surname()
+##        ssn = name2.get_surname()
+##
+##        if fsn == ssn :
+##            ffn = name1.get_first_name()
+##            sfn = name2.get_first_name()
+##            if ffn == sfn:
+##                return locale.strcoll(name1.get_suffix(), name2.get_suffix())
+##            else:
+##                return locale.strcoll(ffn, sfn)
+##        else:
+##            return locale.strcoll(fsn, ssn)
 
     def by_last_name_key(self, first_id):
         """Sort routine for comparing two last names. If last names are equal, 
@@ -88,18 +88,18 @@ class Sort(object):
         fsu = name1.get_suffix()
         return locale.strxfrm(fsn + ffn + fsu)
 
-    def by_sorted_name(self, first_id, second_id):
-        """
-        Sort routine for comparing two displayed names.
-        """
-
-        first = self.database.get_person_from_handle(first_id)
-        second = self.database.get_person_from_handle(second_id)
-
-        name1 = _nd.sorted(first)
-        name2 = _nd.sorted(second)
-
-        return locale.strcoll(name1, name2)
+##    def by_sorted_name(self, first_id, second_id):
+##        """
+##        Sort routine for comparing two displayed names.
+##        """
+##
+##        first = self.database.get_person_from_handle(first_id)
+##        second = self.database.get_person_from_handle(second_id)
+##
+##        name1 = _nd.sorted(first)
+##        name2 = _nd.sorted(second)
+##
+##        return locale.strcoll(name1, name2)
 
     def by_sorted_name_key(self, first_id):
         """
@@ -112,31 +112,31 @@ class Sort(object):
 
         return locale.strxfrm(name1)
 
-    def by_birthdate(self, first_id, second_id):
-        """Sort routine for comparing two people by birth dates. If the birth dates
-        are equal, sorts by name"""
-        first = self.database.get_person_from_handle(first_id)
-        second = self.database.get_person_from_handle(second_id)
-
-        birth1 = get_birth_or_fallback(self.database, first)
-        if birth1:
-            date1 = birth1.get_date_object()
-        else:
-            date1 = Date()
-
-        birth2 = get_birth_or_fallback(self.database, second)
-        if birth2:
-            date2 = birth2.get_date_object()
-        else:
-            date2 = Date()
-
-        dsv1 = date1.get_sort_value()
-        dsv2 = date2.get_sort_value()
-
-        val = cmp(dsv1, dsv2)
-        if val == 0:
-            return self.by_last_name(first_id, second_id)
-        return val
+##    def by_birthdate(self, first_id, second_id):
+##        """Sort routine for comparing two people by birth dates. If the birth dates
+##        are equal, sorts by name"""
+##        first = self.database.get_person_from_handle(first_id)
+##        second = self.database.get_person_from_handle(second_id)
+##
+##        birth1 = get_birth_or_fallback(self.database, first)
+##        if birth1:
+##            date1 = birth1.get_date_object()
+##        else:
+##            date1 = Date()
+##
+##        birth2 = get_birth_or_fallback(self.database, second)
+##        if birth2:
+##            date2 = birth2.get_date_object()
+##        else:
+##            date2 = Date()
+##
+##        dsv1 = date1.get_sort_value()
+##        dsv2 = date2.get_sort_value()
+##
+##        val = cmp(dsv1, dsv2)
+##        if val == 0:
+##            return self.by_last_name(first_id, second_id)
+##        return val
 
     def by_birthdate_key(self, first_id):
         """Sort routine for comparing two people by birth dates. If the birth dates
@@ -152,15 +152,15 @@ class Sort(object):
         dsv1 = date1.get_sort_value()
         return "%08d" % dsv1 + self.by_last_name_key(first_id)
 
-    def by_date(self, a_id, b_id):
-        """Sort routine for comparing two events by their dates. """
-        if not (a_id and b_id):
-            return 0
-        a_obj = self.database.get_event_from_handle(a_id)
-        b_obj = self.database.get_event_from_handle(b_id)
-        dsv1 = a_obj.get_date_object().get_sort_value()
-        dsv2 = b_obj.get_date_object().get_sort_value()
-        return cmp(dsv1, dsv2)
+##    def by_date(self, a_id, b_id):
+##        """Sort routine for comparing two events by their dates. """
+##        if not (a_id and b_id):
+##            return 0
+##        a_obj = self.database.get_event_from_handle(a_id)
+##        b_obj = self.database.get_event_from_handle(b_id)
+##        dsv1 = a_obj.get_date_object().get_sort_value()
+##        dsv2 = b_obj.get_date_object().get_sort_value()
+##        return cmp(dsv1, dsv2)
 
     def by_date_key(self, a_id):
         """Sort routine for comparing two events by their dates. """
@@ -169,13 +169,13 @@ class Sort(object):
         a_obj = self.database.get_event_from_handle(a_id)
         return a_obj.get_date_object().get_sort_value()
 
-    def by_place_title(self, a_id, b_id):
-        """Sort routine for comparing two places. """
-        if not (a_id and b_id):
-            return 0
-        a_obj = self.database.get_place_from_handle(a_id)
-        b_obj = self.database.get_place_from_handle(b_id)
-        return locale.strcoll(a_obj.title, b_obj.title)
+##    def by_place_title(self, a_id, b_id):
+##        """Sort routine for comparing two places. """
+##        if not (a_id and b_id):
+##            return 0
+##        a_obj = self.database.get_place_from_handle(a_id)
+##        b_obj = self.database.get_place_from_handle(b_id)
+##        return locale.strcoll(a_obj.title, b_obj.title)
 
     def by_place_title_key(self, a_id):
         """Sort routine for comparing two places. """
@@ -184,21 +184,21 @@ class Sort(object):
         a_obj = self.database.get_place_from_handle(a_id)
         return locale.strxfrm(a_obj.title)
 
-    def by_event_place(self, a_id, b_id):
-        """Sort routine for comparing two events by their places. """
-        if not (a_id and b_id):
-            return 0
-        evt_a = self.database.get_event_from_handle(a_id)
-        evt_b = self.database.get_event_from_handle(b_id)
-        plc_a = self.database.get_place_from_handle(evt_a.get_place_handle())
-        plc_b = self.database.get_place_from_handle(evt_b.get_place_handle())
-        plc_a_title = ""
-        plc_b_title = ""
-        if plc_a:
-            plc_a_title = plc_a.title
-        if plc_b:
-            plc_b_title = plc_b.title
-        return locale.strcoll(plc_a_title, plc_b_title)
+##    def by_event_place(self, a_id, b_id):
+##        """Sort routine for comparing two events by their places. """
+##        if not (a_id and b_id):
+##            return 0
+##        evt_a = self.database.get_event_from_handle(a_id)
+##        evt_b = self.database.get_event_from_handle(b_id)
+##        plc_a = self.database.get_place_from_handle(evt_a.get_place_handle())
+##        plc_b = self.database.get_place_from_handle(evt_b.get_place_handle())
+##        plc_a_title = ""
+##        plc_b_title = ""
+##        if plc_a:
+##            plc_a_title = plc_a.title
+##        if plc_b:
+##            plc_b_title = plc_b.title
+##        return locale.strcoll(plc_a_title, plc_b_title)
 
     def by_event_place_key(self, a_id):
         """Sort routine for comparing two events by their places. """
@@ -209,13 +209,13 @@ class Sort(object):
         plc_a_title = plc_a.title if plc_a else ""
         return locale.strxfrm(plc_a_title)
 
-    def by_event_description(self, a_id, b_id):
-        """Sort routine for comparing two events by their descriptions. """
-        if not (a_id and b_id):
-            return 0
-        evt_a = self.database.get_event_from_handle(a_id)
-        evt_b = self.database.get_event_from_handle(b_id)
-        return locale.strcoll(evt_a.get_description(), evt_b.get_description())
+##    def by_event_description(self, a_id, b_id):
+##        """Sort routine for comparing two events by their descriptions. """
+##        if not (a_id and b_id):
+##            return 0
+##        evt_a = self.database.get_event_from_handle(a_id)
+##        evt_b = self.database.get_event_from_handle(b_id)
+##        return locale.strcoll(evt_a.get_description(), evt_b.get_description())
 
     def by_event_description_key(self, a_id):
         """Sort routine for comparing two events by their descriptions. """
@@ -224,13 +224,13 @@ class Sort(object):
         evt_a = self.database.get_event_from_handle(a_id)
         return locale.strxfrm(evt_a.get_description())
 
-    def by_event_id(self, a_id, b_id):
-        """Sort routine for comparing two events by their ID. """
-        if not (a_id and b_id):
-            return 0
-        evt_a = self.database.get_event_from_handle(a_id)
-        evt_b = self.database.get_event_from_handle(b_id)
-        return locale.strcoll(evt_a.get_gramps_id(), evt_b.get_gramps_id())
+##    def by_event_id(self, a_id, b_id):
+##        """Sort routine for comparing two events by their ID. """
+##        if not (a_id and b_id):
+##            return 0
+##        evt_a = self.database.get_event_from_handle(a_id)
+##        evt_b = self.database.get_event_from_handle(b_id)
+##        return locale.strcoll(evt_a.get_gramps_id(), evt_b.get_gramps_id())
 
     def by_event_id_key(self, a_id):
         """Sort routine for comparing two events by their ID. """
@@ -239,13 +239,13 @@ class Sort(object):
         evt_a = self.database.get_event_from_handle(a_id)
         return locale.strxfrm(evt_a.get_gramps_id())
 
-    def by_event_type(self, a_id, b_id):
-        """Sort routine for comparing two events by their type. """
-        if not (a_id and b_id):
-            return 0
-        evt_a = self.database.get_event_from_handle(a_id)
-        evt_b = self.database.get_event_from_handle(b_id)
-        return locale.strcoll(str(evt_a.get_type()), str(evt_b.get_type()))
+##    def by_event_type(self, a_id, b_id):
+##        """Sort routine for comparing two events by their type. """
+##        if not (a_id and b_id):
+##            return 0
+##        evt_a = self.database.get_event_from_handle(a_id)
+##        evt_b = self.database.get_event_from_handle(b_id)
+##        return locale.strcoll(str(evt_a.get_type()), str(evt_b.get_type()))
 
     def by_event_type_key(self, a_id):
         """Sort routine for comparing two events by their type. """
@@ -254,13 +254,13 @@ class Sort(object):
         evt_a = self.database.get_event_from_handle(a_id)
         return locale.strxfrm(str(evt_a.get_type()))
     
-    def by_media_title(self,a_id,b_id):
-        """Sort routine for comparing two media objects by their title. """
-        if not (a_id and b_id):
-            return False
-        a = self.database.get_object_from_handle(a_id)
-        b = self.database.get_object_from_handle(b_id)
-        return locale.strcoll(a.desc, b.desc)
+##    def by_media_title(self,a_id,b_id):
+##        """Sort routine for comparing two media objects by their title. """
+##        if not (a_id and b_id):
+##            return False
+##        a = self.database.get_object_from_handle(a_id)
+##        b = self.database.get_object_from_handle(b_id)
+##        return locale.strcoll(a.desc, b.desc)
     
     def by_media_title_key(self, a_id):
         """Sort routine for comparing two media objects by their title. """
@@ -268,4 +268,3 @@ class Sort(object):
             return False
         a = self.database.get_object_from_handle(a_id)
         return locale.strxfrm(a.desc)
-    
diff --git a/gramps/gen/utils/cast.py b/gramps/gen/utils/cast.py
index b7648428b..1f7d19416 100644
--- a/gramps/gen/utils/cast.py
+++ b/gramps/gen/utils/cast.py
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ Utility functions to cast types
 #
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 import locale
+import sys
 
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
@@ -44,8 +45,10 @@ from ..constfunc import conv_to_unicode, conv_to_unicode_direct, UNITYPE, STRTYP
 """
 strxfrm needs it's unicode argument correctly cast before used.
 """
-
-conv_unicode_tosrtkey = lambda x: locale.strxfrm(x.encode(codeset, 'replace'))
+if sys.version_info[0] < 3:
+    conv_unicode_tosrtkey = lambda x: locale.strxfrm(x.encode(codeset, 'replace'))
+else:
+    conv_unicode_tosrtkey = lambda x: locale.strxfrm(x)
 
 if codeset == 'UTF-8':
     conv_str_tosrtkey = lambda x: locale.strxfrm(x)
@@ -56,6 +59,8 @@ else:
 def conv_tosrtkey(value):
     if isinstance(value, UNITYPE):
         return conv_unicode_tosrtkey(value)
+    elif not isinstance(value, STRTYPE):
+        return conv_str_tosrtkey(str(value))
     return conv_str_tosrtkey(value)
 
 #strings in database are utf-8
diff --git a/gramps/gen/utils/configmanager.py b/gramps/gen/utils/configmanager.py
index 01f5a7a8b..403ffacf8 100644
--- a/gramps/gen/utils/configmanager.py
+++ b/gramps/gen/utils/configmanager.py
@@ -271,6 +271,9 @@ class ConfigManager(object):
                     if sys.version_info[0] >= 3:
                         if raw_value[:2] == "u'":
                             raw_value = raw_value[1:]
+                        elif raw_value.startswith('['):
+                            raw_value = raw_value.replace(", u'", ", '")
+                            raw_value = raw_value.replace("[u'", "['")
                     setting = opt.lower()
                     if oldstyle:
                     ####################### Upgrade from oldstyle < 3.2
diff --git a/gramps/gen/utils/keyword.py b/gramps/gen/utils/keyword.py
index 3c5372e35..696d89dfd 100644
--- a/gramps/gen/utils/keyword.py
+++ b/gramps/gen/utils/keyword.py
@@ -96,11 +96,11 @@ def get_keyword_from_translation(word):
 def get_keywords():
     """ Get all keywords, longest to shortest """
     keys = list(KEY_TO_TRANS.keys())
-    keys.sort(lambda a,b: -cmp(len(a), len(b)))
+    keys.sort(key= lambda a: len(a), reverse=True)
     return keys
 
 def get_translations():
     """ Get all translations, longest to shortest """
     trans = list(TRANS_TO_KEY.keys())
-    trans.sort(lambda a,b: -cmp(len(a), len(b)))
+    trans.sort(key= lambda a: len(a), reverse=True)
     return trans
diff --git a/gramps/gen/utils/lds.py b/gramps/gen/utils/lds.py
index 365e2b89f..7dca98c83 100644
--- a/gramps/gen/utils/lds.py
+++ b/gramps/gen/utils/lds.py
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ Parses the lds.xml file to build the temple/code maps
 
 from ..const import DATA_DIR
 import os
+import sys
 import logging
 
 from  xml.parsers.expat import ParserCreate
@@ -51,7 +52,10 @@ class LdsTemples(object):
         lds_filename = os.path.join(DATA_DIR, "lds.xml")
 
         try:
-            xml_file = open(os.path.expanduser(lds_filename))
+            if sys.version_info[0] < 3:
+                xml_file = open(os.path.expanduser(lds_filename))
+            else:
+                xml_file = open(os.path.expanduser(lds_filename), 'rb')
             parser = ParserCreate()
             parser.StartElementHandler = self.__start_element
             parser.EndElementHandler = self.__end_element
diff --git a/gramps/gui/autocomp.py b/gramps/gui/autocomp.py
index d66895102..7dacdd6ca 100644
--- a/gramps/gui/autocomp.py
+++ b/gramps/gui/autocomp.py
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ class StandardCustomSelector(object):
         """
         Fill with data
         """
-        keys = sorted(self.mapping, self.by_value)
+        keys = sorted(self.mapping, key=self.by_value)
         index = 0
         for key in keys:
             if key != self.custom_key:
@@ -190,13 +190,11 @@ class StandardCustomSelector(object):
                     self.active_index = index
                 index += 1
 
-    def by_value(self, first, second):
+    def by_value(self, val):
         """
         Method for sorting keys based on the values.
         """
-        fvalue = self.mapping[first]
-        svalue = self.mapping[second]
-        return locale.strcoll(fvalue, svalue)
+        return locale.strxfrm(self.mapping[val])
 
     def get_values(self):
         """
diff --git a/gramps/gui/dialog.py b/gramps/gui/dialog.py
index d49ca10f8..f510401bb 100644
--- a/gramps/gui/dialog.py
+++ b/gramps/gui/dialog.py
@@ -191,7 +191,10 @@ class ErrorDialog(Gtk.MessageDialog):
 
 class RunDatabaseRepair(ErrorDialog):
     def __init__(self, msg, parent=None):
-        msg = cuni(str(msg).decode(sys.getfilesystemencoding()))
+        if sys.version_info[0] < 3:
+            msg = cuni(str(msg).decode(sys.getfilesystemencoding()))
+        else:
+            msg = str(msg)
         ErrorDialog.__init__(
             self,
             _('Error detected in database'),
@@ -203,7 +206,10 @@ class RunDatabaseRepair(ErrorDialog):
 
 class DBErrorDialog(ErrorDialog):
     def __init__(self, msg, parent=None):
-        msg = cuni(str(msg).decode(sys.getfilesystemencoding()))
+        if sys.version_info[0] < 3:
+            msg = cuni(str(msg).decode(sys.getfilesystemencoding()))
+        else:
+            msg = str(msg)
         ErrorDialog.__init__(
             self,
             _("Low level database corruption detected"),
diff --git a/gramps/gui/editors/displaytabs/backrefmodel.py b/gramps/gui/editors/displaytabs/backrefmodel.py
index bc4d87b5a..84dc3e760 100644
--- a/gramps/gui/editors/displaytabs/backrefmodel.py
+++ b/gramps/gui/editors/displaytabs/backrefmodel.py
@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@
 
 # $Id$
 
+import sys
+
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
 # GTK libraries
@@ -53,7 +55,10 @@ class BackRefModel(Gtk.ListStore):
         self.db = db
         self.sref_list = sref_list
         self.count = 0
-        self.idle = GObject.idle_add(self.load_model().next)
+        if sys.version_info[0] < 3:
+            self.idle = GObject.idle_add(self.load_model().next)
+        else:
+            self.idle = GObject.idle_add(self.load_model().__next__)
 
     def destroy(self):
         GObject.source_remove(self.idle)
diff --git a/gramps/gui/editors/displaytabs/surnametab.py b/gramps/gui/editors/displaytabs/surnametab.py
index ccf4d85f9..2b30b20ca 100644
--- a/gramps/gui/editors/displaytabs/surnametab.py
+++ b/gramps/gui/editors/displaytabs/surnametab.py
@@ -114,7 +114,8 @@ class SurnameTab(EmbeddedList):
         no = NameOriginType()
         self.cmborig = Gtk.ListStore(GObject.TYPE_INT, GObject.TYPE_STRING)
         self.cmborigmap = no.get_map().copy()
-        keys = sorted(self.cmborigmap, self.by_value)
+        #sort the keys based on the value
+        keys = sorted(self.cmborigmap, key=lambda x: locale.strxfrm(self.cmborigmap[x]))
         for key in keys:
             if key != no.get_custom():
                 self.cmborig.append(row=[key, self.cmborigmap[key]])
@@ -154,13 +155,13 @@ class SurnameTab(EmbeddedList):
         self.columns.append(column)
         self.tree.append_column(column)
 
-    def by_value(self, first, second):
-        """
-        Method for sorting keys based on the values.
-        """
-        fvalue = self.cmborigmap[first]
-        svalue = self.cmborigmap[second]
-        return locale.strcoll(fvalue, svalue)
+##    def by_value(self, first, second):
+##        """
+##        Method for sorting keys based on the values.
+##        """
+##        fvalue = self.cmborigmap[first]
+##        svalue = self.cmborigmap[second]
+##        return locale.strcoll(fvalue, svalue)
 
     def get_data(self):
         return self.obj.get_surname_list()
diff --git a/gramps/gui/editors/editcitation.py b/gramps/gui/editors/editcitation.py
index 96614136c..afe51c30a 100644
--- a/gramps/gui/editors/editcitation.py
+++ b/gramps/gui/editors/editcitation.py
@@ -455,8 +455,7 @@ class EditCitation(EditPrimary):
 
     def source_is_empty(self, obj):
         empty_object = Source()
-        return cmp(obj.serialize()[1:],
-                   empty_object.serialize()[1:]) == 0
+        return obj.serialize()[1:] == empty_object.serialize()[1:]
     
     def source_uses_duplicate_id(self, obj):
         """
@@ -495,12 +494,10 @@ class EditCitation(EditPrimary):
                 cmp_obj = orig
             else:
                 cmp_obj = self.empty_object()
-            return cmp(cmp_obj.serialize(True)[1:],
-                       self.obj.serialize(True)[1:]) != 0
+            return cmp_obj.serialize(True)[1:] != self.obj.serialize(True)[1:]
         else:
             cmp_obj = self.empty_object()
-            return cmp(cmp_obj.serialize(True)[1:],
-                       self.obj.serialize()[1:]) != 0
+            return cmp_obj.serialize(True)[1:] != self.obj.serialize()[1:]
 
     def source_data_has_changed(self):
         """
@@ -514,12 +511,10 @@ class EditCitation(EditPrimary):
                 cmp_obj = orig
             else:
                 cmp_obj = Source()
-            return cmp(cmp_obj.serialize()[1:],
-                       self.source.serialize()[1:]) != 0
+            return cmp_obj.serialize()[1:] != self.source.serialize()[1:]
         else:
             cmp_obj = Source()
-            return cmp(cmp_obj.serialize()[1:],
-                       self.source.serialize()[1:]) != 0
+            return cmp_obj.serialize()[1:] != self.source.serialize()[1:]
 
 class DeleteCitationQuery(object):
     def __init__(self, dbstate, uistate, citation, the_lists):
diff --git a/gramps/gui/editors/editevent.py b/gramps/gui/editors/editevent.py
index a48bb0737..cd6cc1b20 100644
--- a/gramps/gui/editors/editevent.py
+++ b/gramps/gui/editors/editevent.py
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ class EditEvent(EditPrimary):
                 self.db.add_event(self.obj, trans)
         else:
             orig = self.get_from_handle(self.obj.handle)
-            if cmp(self.obj.serialize(), orig.serialize()):
+            if self.obj.serialize() != orig.serialize():
                 with DbTxn(_("Edit Event (%s)") % self.obj.get_gramps_id(),
                            self.db) as trans:
                     if not self.obj.get_gramps_id():
@@ -288,12 +288,10 @@ class EditEvent(EditPrimary):
                 cmp_obj = orig
             else:
                 cmp_obj = self.empty_object()
-            return cmp(cmp_obj.serialize(True)[1:],
-                       self.obj.serialize(True)[1:]) != 0
+            return cmp_obj.serialize(True)[1:] != self.obj.serialize(True)[1:]
         else:
             cmp_obj = self.empty_object()
-            return cmp(cmp_obj.serialize(True)[1:],
-                       self.obj.serialize()[1:]) != 0
+            return cmp_obj.serialize(True)[1:] != self.obj.serialize()[1:]
 
 
 class EditPersonEvent(EditEvent):
diff --git a/gramps/gui/editors/editfamily.py b/gramps/gui/editors/editfamily.py
index 9a8c50f96..9334820e8 100644
--- a/gramps/gui/editors/editfamily.py
+++ b/gramps/gui/editors/editfamily.py
@@ -1070,7 +1070,7 @@ class EditFamily(EditPrimary):
                     self.db.commit_person(child, trans)
 
                 self.db.add_family(self.obj, trans)
-        elif cmp(original.serialize(),self.obj.serialize()):
+        elif original.serialize() != self.obj.serialize():
 
             with DbTxn(_("Edit Family"), self.db) as trans:
 
diff --git a/gramps/gui/editors/editmedia.py b/gramps/gui/editors/editmedia.py
index 8ac1eec53..21837114b 100644
--- a/gramps/gui/editors/editmedia.py
+++ b/gramps/gui/editors/editmedia.py
@@ -324,12 +324,10 @@ class EditMedia(EditPrimary):
                 cmp_obj = orig
             else:
                 cmp_obj = self.empty_object()
-            return cmp(cmp_obj.serialize(True)[1:],
-                       self.obj.serialize(True)[1:]) != 0
+            return cmp_obj.serialize(True)[1:] != self.obj.serialize(True)[1:]
         else:
             cmp_obj = self.empty_object()
-            return cmp(cmp_obj.serialize(True)[1:],
-                       self.obj.serialize()[1:]) != 0
+            return cmp_obj.serialize(True)[1:] != self.obj.serialize()[1:]
 
 class DeleteMediaQuery(object):
 
diff --git a/gramps/gui/editors/editprimary.py b/gramps/gui/editors/editprimary.py
index 40573b708..3d2d0ba64 100644
--- a/gramps/gui/editors/editprimary.py
+++ b/gramps/gui/editors/editprimary.py
@@ -161,8 +161,7 @@ class EditPrimary(ManagedWindow, DbGUIElement):
         self.__tabs = None
 
     def object_is_empty(self):
-        return cmp(self.obj.serialize()[1:],
-                   self.empty_object().serialize()[1:]) == 0
+        return self.obj.serialize()[1:] == self.empty_object().serialize()[1:]
 
     def define_ok_button(self, button, function):
         self.ok_button = button
@@ -258,12 +257,10 @@ class EditPrimary(ManagedWindow, DbGUIElement):
                 cmp_obj = orig
             else:
                 cmp_obj = self.empty_object()
-            return cmp(cmp_obj.serialize()[1:],
-                       self.obj.serialize()[1:]) != 0
+            return cmp_obj.serialize()[1:] != self.obj.serialize()[1:]
         else:
             cmp_obj = self.empty_object()
-            return cmp(cmp_obj.serialize()[1:],
-                       self.obj.serialize()[1:]) != 0
+            return cmp_obj.serialize()[1:] != self.obj.serialize()[1:]
 
     def save(self, *obj):
         """ Save changes and close. Inheriting classes must implement this
diff --git a/gramps/gui/editors/filtereditor.py b/gramps/gui/editors/filtereditor.py
index 6425617f3..82a3bdf5d 100644
--- a/gramps/gui/editors/filtereditor.py
+++ b/gramps/gui/editors/filtereditor.py
@@ -107,14 +107,6 @@ _name2typeclass = {
     _('Surname origin type:'): NameOriginType,
 }
 
-#-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-#
-# Sorting function for the filter rules
-#
-#-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-def by_rule_name(f, s):
-    return cmp(f.name, s.name)
-
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
 # MyBoolean - check button with standard interface
@@ -597,7 +589,7 @@ class EditRule(ManagedWindow):
         else:
             self.sel_class = None
 
-        keys = sorted(the_map, by_rule_name, reverse=True)
+        keys = sorted(the_map, key=lambda x: x.name, reverse=True)
         catlist = sorted(set(class_obj.category for class_obj in keys))
 
         for category in catlist:
diff --git a/gramps/gui/listmodel.py b/gramps/gui/listmodel.py
index 41909724d..a1462504c 100644
--- a/gramps/gui/listmodel.py
+++ b/gramps/gui/listmodel.py
@@ -292,7 +292,7 @@ class ListModel(object):
         """
         val = self.model.get_sort_column_id()
         col = val[0]
-        if col < 0:
+        if col is None or col < 0:
             return
         if col > 0:
             self.model.set_sort_column_id(col, val[1])
diff --git a/gramps/gui/plug/_dialogs.py b/gramps/gui/plug/_dialogs.py
index b3b4ed956..52197a1ff 100644
--- a/gramps/gui/plug/_dialogs.py
+++ b/gramps/gui/plug/_dialogs.py
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ class PluginDialog(ManagedWindow):
             node = self.store.insert_after(None, prev)
             self.store.set(node, 0, key)
             next = None
-            data.sort(lambda x, y: cmp(x.name, y.name))
+            data.sort(key=lambda x: x.name)
             for item in data:
                 next = self.store.insert_after(node, next)
                 ilist.append((next, item))
diff --git a/gramps/gui/plug/quick/_quickreports.py b/gramps/gui/plug/quick/_quickreports.py
index 8bcb6bb32..f4a7036da 100644
--- a/gramps/gui/plug/quick/_quickreports.py
+++ b/gramps/gui/plug/quick/_quickreports.py
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ def create_quickreport_menu(category,dbstate,uistate, handle) :
             #add tuple function, translated name, name, status
             showlst.append(pdata)
             
-    showlst.sort(by_menu_name)
+    showlst.sort(key=lambda x: x.name)
     for pdata in showlst:
         new_key = pdata.id.replace(' ', '-')
         ofile.write('<menuitem action="%s"/>' % new_key)
@@ -168,9 +168,6 @@ def create_quickreport_menu(category,dbstate,uistate, handle) :
     
     return (ofile.getvalue(), actions)
 
-def by_menu_name(first, second):
-    return cmp(first.name, second.name)
-
 def make_quick_report_callback(pdata, category, dbstate, uistate, handle):
     return lambda x: run_report(dbstate, uistate, category, handle, pdata)
 
diff --git a/gramps/gui/utils.py b/gramps/gui/utils.py
index 594d198d6..541a4f61d 100644
--- a/gramps/gui/utils.py
+++ b/gramps/gui/utils.py
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@
 Utility functions that depend on GUI components or for GUI components
 """
 
-from __future__ import print_function
+from __future__ import print_function, division
 
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
@@ -463,7 +463,7 @@ def hex_to_rgb_float(value):
     """
     value = value.lstrip('#')
     lenv = len(value)
-    return tuple(int(value[i:i+lenv/3], 16)/256.0 for i in range(0, lenv, lenv/3))
+    return tuple(int(value[i:i+lenv//3], 16)/256.0 for i in range(0, lenv, lenv//3))
 
 def hex_to_rgb(value):
     """
@@ -471,7 +471,7 @@ def hex_to_rgb(value):
     """
     value = value.lstrip('#')
     lenv = len(value)
-    return tuple(int(value[i:i+lenv/3], 16) for i in range(0, lenv, lenv/3))
+    return tuple(int(value[i:i+lenv//3], 16) for i in range(0, lenv, lenv//3))
 
 def rgb_to_hex(rgb):
     """
diff --git a/gramps/gui/viewmanager.py b/gramps/gui/viewmanager.py
index 2b93442f4..78f5314d1 100644
--- a/gramps/gui/viewmanager.py
+++ b/gramps/gui/viewmanager.py
@@ -1372,7 +1372,8 @@ class ViewManager(CLIManager):
         value = dialog.run()
         if value:
             (filename, title) = value
-            filename = filename.encode(sys.getfilesystemencoding())
+            if sys.version_info[0] < 3:
+                filename = filename.encode(sys.getfilesystemencoding())
             self.db_loader.read_file(filename)
             self._post_load_newdb(filename, 'x-directory/normal', title)
 
diff --git a/gramps/gui/views/tags.py b/gramps/gui/views/tags.py
index f6e611be4..96ca0000d 100644
--- a/gramps/gui/views/tags.py
+++ b/gramps/gui/views/tags.py
@@ -566,7 +566,7 @@ class EditTag(object):
                 self.db.add_tag(self.tag, trans)
         else:
             orig = self.db.get_tag_from_handle(self.tag.get_handle())
-            if cmp(self.tag.serialize(), orig.serialize()):
+            if self.tag.serialize() != orig.serialize():
                 msg = _("Edit Tag (%s)") % self.tag.get_name()
                 with DbTxn(msg, self.db) as trans:
                     self.db.commit_tag(self.tag, trans)
diff --git a/gramps/gui/views/treemodels/flatbasemodel.py b/gramps/gui/views/treemodels/flatbasemodel.py
index 08b7effe6..483c2d82c 100644
--- a/gramps/gui/views/treemodels/flatbasemodel.py
+++ b/gramps/gui/views/treemodels/flatbasemodel.py
@@ -768,7 +768,7 @@ class FlatBaseModel(GObject.Object, Gtk.TreeModel):
         #print 'do_get_val', iter, iter.user_data, col
         handle = self.node_map._index2hndl[iter.user_data][1]
         if handle != self.prev_handle:
-            data = self.map(str(handle))
+            data = self.map(handle)
             if data is None:
                 #object is no longer present
                 return ''
@@ -780,8 +780,8 @@ class FlatBaseModel(GObject.Object, Gtk.TreeModel):
             return val
         else:
             #GTK 3 should convert unicode objects automatically, but this
-            # gives wrong column values, so we convert
-            if isinstance(val, UNITYPE):
+            # gives wrong column values, so we convert for python 2.7
+            if not isinstance(val, str):
                 return val.encode('utf-8')
             else:
                 return val
diff --git a/gramps/gui/views/treemodels/peoplemodel.py b/gramps/gui/views/treemodels/peoplemodel.py
index 930556fde..b6131c146 100644
--- a/gramps/gui/views/treemodels/peoplemodel.py
+++ b/gramps/gui/views/treemodels/peoplemodel.py
@@ -204,11 +204,12 @@ class PeopleBaseModel(object):
             name = self.lru_name[handle]
         else:
             name = name_displayer.raw_display_name(data[COLUMN_NAME])
-            # internally we work with utf-8
-            if isinstance(name, UNITYPE):
+            # internally we work with utf-8 for python 2.7
+            if not isinstance(name, str):
                 name = name.encode('utf-8')
             if not self._in_build:
                 self.lru_name[handle] = name
+        
         return name
 
     def column_spouse(self, data):
diff --git a/gramps/gui/views/treemodels/treebasemodel.py b/gramps/gui/views/treemodels/treebasemodel.py
index 9b2f03503..c2378a1b8 100644
--- a/gramps/gui/views/treemodels/treebasemodel.py
+++ b/gramps/gui/views/treemodels/treebasemodel.py
@@ -891,8 +891,8 @@ class TreeBaseModel(GObject.Object, Gtk.TreeModel):
             # according to column_defs table
             val = self._get_value(node.handle, col, node.secondary)
             #GTK 3 should convert unicode objects automatically, but this
-            # gives wrong column values, so we convert
-            if isinstance(val, UNITYPE):
+            # gives wrong column values, so we convert, so we convert for python 2.7
+            if not isinstance(val, str):
                 return val.encode('utf-8')
             else:
                 return val
diff --git a/gramps/gui/widgets/monitoredwidgets.py b/gramps/gui/widgets/monitoredwidgets.py
index aaefda8b7..cc43048aa 100644
--- a/gramps/gui/widgets/monitoredwidgets.py
+++ b/gramps/gui/widgets/monitoredwidgets.py
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ __all__ = ["MonitoredCheckbox", "MonitoredEntry",
 import logging
 _LOG = logging.getLogger(".widgets.monitoredwidgets")
 import locale
+import sys
 
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
@@ -140,7 +141,11 @@ class MonitoredEntry(object):
         self.obj.connect(signal, callback, *data)
 
     def _on_change(self, obj):
-        self.set_val(cuni(obj.get_text(), 'utf-8'))
+        if sys.version_info[0] < 3:
+            self.set_val(cuni(obj.get_text(), 'utf-8'))
+        else:
+            #all is unicode
+            self.set_val(obj.get_text())
         if self.changed:
             self.changed(obj)
 
diff --git a/gramps/plugins/drawreport/statisticschart.py b/gramps/plugins/drawreport/statisticschart.py
index 0d448fda3..d35d2191e 100644
--- a/gramps/plugins/drawreport/statisticschart.py
+++ b/gramps/plugins/drawreport/statisticschart.py
@@ -761,11 +761,6 @@ class StatisticsChart(Report):
         #print heading
         #print table[1]
 
-
-    def lookup_compare(self, a, b):
-        "compare given keys according to corresponding lookup values"
-        return cmp(self.lookup_items[a], self.lookup_items[b])
-
     def index_items(self, data, sort, reverse):
         """creates & stores a sorted index for the items"""
 
@@ -777,8 +772,8 @@ class StatisticsChart(Report):
             self.lookup_items = data
         
             # then sort by value
-            index.sort(self.lookup_compare, 
-                reverse=True if reverse else False)
+            index.sort(key=lambda x: self.lookup_items[x], 
+                       reverse=True if reverse else False)
 
         return index
 
diff --git a/gramps/plugins/export/exportgedcom.py b/gramps/plugins/export/exportgedcom.py
index 5040961fa..5af52f266 100644
--- a/gramps/plugins/export/exportgedcom.py
+++ b/gramps/plugins/export/exportgedcom.py
@@ -118,16 +118,6 @@ QUALITY_MAP = {
     Citation.CONF_VERY_LOW  : "0", 
     }
 
-#-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-#
-# sort_by_gramps_id
-#
-#-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-def sort_by_gramps_id(first, second):
-    """
-    Sort objects by their Gramps ID.
-    """
-    return cmp(first.gramps_id, second.gramps_id)
 
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
diff --git a/gramps/plugins/export/exportvcard.py b/gramps/plugins/export/exportvcard.py
index e4db13dc0..853c3ec56 100644
--- a/gramps/plugins/export/exportvcard.py
+++ b/gramps/plugins/export/exportvcard.py
@@ -310,8 +310,7 @@ class VCardWriter(object):
                     [self.db.get_event_from_handle(ref.ref) for ref in event_refs]
                     if event.get_type() == EventType(EventType.OCCUPATION)]
         if len(events) > 0:
-            events.sort(cmp=lambda x, y: cmp(x.get_date_object(),
-                                            y.get_date_object()))
+            events.sort(key=lambda x: x.get_date_object())
             occupation = events[-1].get_description()
             if occupation:
                 self.writeln("ROLE:%s" % occupation)
diff --git a/gramps/plugins/lib/libgedcom.py b/gramps/plugins/lib/libgedcom.py
index 73cf6a7b4..6d1b3f4db 100644
--- a/gramps/plugins/lib/libgedcom.py
+++ b/gramps/plugins/lib/libgedcom.py
@@ -1089,11 +1089,18 @@ class GedcomInfoDB(object):
         self.standard = GedcomDescription("GEDCOM 5.5 standard")
         self.standard.set_dest("GEDCOM 5.5")
 
-        try:
-            filepath = os.path.join(DATA_DIR,"gedcom.xml")
-            ged_file = open(filepath.encode('iso8859-1'),"r")
-        except:
-            return
+        if sys.version_info[0] < 3:
+            try:
+                filepath = os.path.join(DATA_DIR, "gedcom.xml")
+                ged_file = open(filepath.encode('iso8859-1'), "r")
+            except:
+                return
+        else:
+            try:
+                filepath = os.path.join(DATA_DIR, "gedcom.xml")
+                ged_file = open(filepath, "rb")
+            except:
+                return
 
         parser = GedInfoParser(self)
         parser.parse(ged_file)
diff --git a/gramps/plugins/lib/librecords.py b/gramps/plugins/lib/librecords.py
index 06795ce78..584766821 100644
--- a/gramps/plugins/lib/librecords.py
+++ b/gramps/plugins/lib/librecords.py
@@ -269,8 +269,9 @@ def find_records(db, filter, top_size, callname):
 
             _record(family_shortest, family_longest,
                     duration, name, 'Family', family.handle, top_size)
-
-    return [(text, varname, locals()[varname]) 
+    #python 3 workaround: assign locals to tmp so we work with runtime version
+    tmp = locals()
+    return [(text, varname, tmp[varname]) 
                 for (text, varname, default) in RECORDS]
 
 def _record(lowest, highest, value, text, handle_type, handle, top_size):
@@ -284,7 +285,7 @@ def _record(lowest, highest, value, text, handle_type, handle, top_size):
 
     if lowest is not None:
         lowest.append((high_value, value, text, handle_type, handle))
-        lowest.sort(lambda a, b: cmp(a[0], b[0]))   # FIXME: Ist das lambda notwendig?
+        lowest.sort(key=lambda a: a[0])   # FIXME: Ist das lambda notwendig?
         for i in range(top_size, len(lowest)):
             if lowest[i-1][0] < lowest[i][0]:
                 del lowest[i:]
diff --git a/gramps/plugins/quickview/all_events.py b/gramps/plugins/quickview/all_events.py
index 66ebf8e70..9189517d0 100644
--- a/gramps/plugins/quickview/all_events.py
+++ b/gramps/plugins/quickview/all_events.py
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ def run(database, document, person):
         event_list += sdb.events(family)
 
     # Sort the events by their date
-    event_list.sort(by_date)
+    event_list.sort(key=lambda x: x.get_date_object())
 
     # display the results
 
@@ -93,8 +93,8 @@ def run_fam(database, document, family):
         event_list_children += [(child, x) for x in sdb.events(child)]
         
     # Sort the events by their date
-    event_list.sort(fam_sort)
-    event_list_children.sort(fam_sort)
+    event_list.sort(key=lambda x: x[1].get_date_object())
+    event_list_children.sort(key=lambda x: x[1].get_date_object())
     
     # display the results
 
@@ -123,17 +123,3 @@ def run_fam(database, document, family):
                  sdb.event_place(event))
         document.has_data = True
     stab.write(sdoc)
-
-def fam_sort(event1, event2):
-    """
-    Sort function that will compare two events by their dates.
-
-    @param event1: first event
-    @type event1: L{Event}
-    @param event2: second event
-    @type event2: L{Event}
-    @return: Returns -1 if event1 < event2, 0 if they are equal, and
-       1 if they are the same.
-    @rtype: int
-    """
-    return by_date(event1[1],event2[1])
diff --git a/gramps/plugins/textreport/placereport.py b/gramps/plugins/textreport/placereport.py
index bad2fea35..350397b5b 100644
--- a/gramps/plugins/textreport/placereport.py
+++ b/gramps/plugins/textreport/placereport.py
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ class PlaceReport(Report):
         """
         event_handles = [event_handle for (object_type, event_handle) in
                          self.database.find_backlink_handles(handle)]
-        event_handles.sort(self.sort.by_date)
+        event_handles.sort(key=self.sort.by_date_key)
 
         if event_handles:
             self.doc.start_paragraph("PLC-Section")
@@ -311,7 +311,7 @@ class PlaceReport(Report):
 
         for entry in keys:
             people = entry
-            person_dict[entry].sort(self.sort.by_date)
+            person_dict[entry].sort(key=self.sort.by_date_key)
             for evt_handle in person_dict[entry]:
                 event = self.database.get_event_from_handle(evt_handle)
                 if event:
diff --git a/gramps/plugins/tool/eventcmp.py b/gramps/plugins/tool/eventcmp.py
index 72d624f6c..63acf2850 100644
--- a/gramps/plugins/tool/eventcmp.py
+++ b/gramps/plugins/tool/eventcmp.py
@@ -199,8 +199,8 @@ class EventComparison(tool.Tool,ManagedWindow):
 #
 #
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-def by_value(first,second):
-    return cmp(second[0],first[0])
+##def by_value(first,second):
+##    return cmp(second[0],first[0])
 
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
@@ -244,7 +244,7 @@ class DisplayChart(ManagedWindow):
 
         self.eventlist = self.topDialog.get_object('treeview')
         self.sort = Sort(self.db)
-        self.my_list.sort(self.sort.by_last_name)
+        self.my_list.sort(key=self.sort.by_last_name_key)
 
         self.event_titles = self.make_event_titles()
 
@@ -371,7 +371,8 @@ class DisplayChart(ManagedWindow):
                     break
                 the_map[name] += 1
 
-        unsort_list = sorted([(d, k) for k,d in the_map.items()],by_value)
+        unsort_list = sorted([(d, k) for k,d in the_map.items()],
+                             key=lambda x: x[0], reverse=True)
 
         sort_list = [ item[1] for item in unsort_list ]
 ## Presently there's no Birth and Death. Instead there's Birth Date and
diff --git a/gramps/plugins/tool/finddupes.py b/gramps/plugins/tool/finddupes.py
index f40c885ff..8c6305fe4 100644
--- a/gramps/plugins/tool/finddupes.py
+++ b/gramps/plugins/tool/finddupes.py
@@ -662,15 +662,6 @@ def get_surnames(name):
     """Construct a full surname of the surnames"""
     return ' '.join([surn.get_surname() for surn in name.get_surname_list()])
 
-#-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-#
-#
-#
-#-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-def by_id(p1,p2):
-    return cmp(p1.get_handle(),p2.get_handle())
-
-
 #------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
 #