diff --git a/src/AutoComp.py b/src/AutoComp.py
index 99d05c31a..d3c5974eb 100644
--- a/src/AutoComp.py
+++ b/src/AutoComp.py
@@ -167,10 +167,10 @@ class StandardCustomSelector:
 
         if self.additional:
             for event_type in self.additional:
-                if type(event_type) == str or type(event_type) == unicode :
+                if isinstance(event_type, basestring):
                     if event_type:
                         self.store.append(row=[self.custom_key, event_type])
-                elif type(event_type) == tuple:
+                elif isinstance(event_type, tuple):
                     if event_type[1]:
                         self.store.append(row=[event_type[0], event_type[1]])
                 else:
diff --git a/src/BaseDoc.py b/src/BaseDoc.py
index 52b06aadf..30db052b5 100644
--- a/src/BaseDoc.py
+++ b/src/BaseDoc.py
@@ -872,7 +872,7 @@ class ParagraphStyle:
         return self.bmargin
 
     def set_tabs(self, tab_stops):
-        assert(type(tab_stops) == type([]))
+        assert isinstance(tab_stops, list)
         self.tabs = tab_stops
 
     def get_tabs(self):
diff --git a/src/Config/_GrampsGconfKeys.py b/src/Config/_GrampsGconfKeys.py
index 76c236d99..70470a1c0 100644
--- a/src/Config/_GrampsGconfKeys.py
+++ b/src/Config/_GrampsGconfKeys.py
@@ -164,10 +164,10 @@ def get_default(key, sample=''):
     value = client.get_default_from_schema(token)
     if value == None:
         raise Errors.GConfSchemaError("No default value for key "+key[1])
-    if type(sample) in (str, unicode):
+    if isinstance(sample, basestring):
         return value.get_string()
-    elif type(sample) == int:
+    elif isinstance(sample, int):
         return value.get_int()
-    elif type(sample) == bool:
+    elif isinstance(sample, bool):
         return value.get_bool()
     return None
diff --git a/src/DataViews/GrampletView.py b/src/DataViews/GrampletView.py
index 2efbdd9ed..f3fdfeffb 100644
--- a/src/DataViews/GrampletView.py
+++ b/src/DataViews/GrampletView.py
@@ -364,7 +364,7 @@ class Gramplet(object):
         Runs the generator.
         """
         if debug: print "%s _updater" % self.gui.title
-        if type(self._generator) != types.GeneratorType:
+        if not isinstance(self._generator, types.GeneratorType):
             self._idle_id = 0
             return False
         try:
@@ -925,7 +925,7 @@ class GrampletView(PageView.PersonNavView):
                         elif key == "column": continue
                         elif key == "row": continue
                         elif key == "data":
-                            if type(base_opts["data"]) not in [list, tuple]:
+                            if not isinstance(base_opts["data"], (list, tuple)):
                                 fp.write(("data[0]=%s" + NL) % base_opts["data"])
                             else:
                                 cnt = 0
@@ -950,7 +950,7 @@ class GrampletView(PageView.PersonNavView):
                     if key == "content": continue
                     elif key == "title": continue
                     elif key == "data":
-                        if type(base_opts["data"]) not in [list, tuple]:
+                        if not isinstance(base_opts["data"], (list, tuple)):
                             fp.write(("data[0]=%s" + NL) % base_opts["data"])
                         else:
                             cnt = 0
diff --git a/src/DbLoader.py b/src/DbLoader.py
index ffb1e6c6d..6fe5cc3ca 100644
--- a/src/DbLoader.py
+++ b/src/DbLoader.py
@@ -204,7 +204,7 @@ class DbLoader:
         
         """
 
-        if type(filename) not in (str, unicode):
+        if not isinstance(filename, basestring):
             return True
 
         filename = os.path.normpath(os.path.abspath(filename))
diff --git a/src/DisplayTabs/_GrampsTab.py b/src/DisplayTabs/_GrampsTab.py
index 09c8ba7e5..57fa19014 100644
--- a/src/DisplayTabs/_GrampsTab.py
+++ b/src/DisplayTabs/_GrampsTab.py
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ class GrampsTab(gtk.HBox):
         hbox = gtk.HBox()
         icon = self.get_icon_name()
 
-        if type(icon) == tuple:
+        if isinstance(icon, tuple):
             if icon[0] == 0:
                 func = gtk.image_new_from_icon_name
             else:
diff --git a/src/Editors/_EditMediaRef.py b/src/Editors/_EditMediaRef.py
index ac0a2aa14..3b4ba796b 100644
--- a/src/Editors/_EditMediaRef.py
+++ b/src/Editors/_EditMediaRef.py
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ class EditMediaRef(EditReference):
 
         self.draw_preview()
 
-        if coord and type(coord) == tuple:
+        if coord and isinstance(coord, tuple):
             self.top.get_widget("corner1_x").set_value(coord[0])
             self.top.get_widget("corner1_y").set_value(coord[1])
             self.top.get_widget("corner2_x").set_value(coord[2])
diff --git a/src/Errors.py b/src/Errors.py
index 139548138..f02932900 100644
--- a/src/Errors.py
+++ b/src/Errors.py
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ class DbError(Exception):
     """Error used to report that the request window is already displayed."""
     def __init__(self, value):
         Exception.__init__(self)
-        if type(value) == tuple:
+        if isinstance(value, tuple):
             self.value = value[1]
         else:
             self.value = value
diff --git a/src/Filters/Rules/_Rule.py b/src/Filters/Rules/_Rule.py
index 55c14be37..53c1e7f05 100644
--- a/src/Filters/Rules/_Rule.py
+++ b/src/Filters/Rules/_Rule.py
@@ -40,8 +40,8 @@ class Rule:
     category    = _('Miscellaneous filters')
     description = _('No description')
 
-    def __init__(self, list):
-        self.set_list(list)
+    def __init__(self, arg):
+        self.set_list(arg)
 
     def is_empty(self):
         return False
@@ -51,13 +51,13 @@ class Rule:
 
     def reset(self):
         pass
-
-    def set_list(self, list):
-        assert type(list) == type([]) or list == None, "Argument is not a list"
-        assert len(list) == len(self.labels), \
+ 
+    def set_list(self, arg):
+        assert isinstance(arg, list) or arg == None, "Argument is not a list"
+        assert len(arg) == len(self.labels), \
                "Number of arguments does not match number of labels.\n"\
-               "list: %s\nlabels: %s" % (list,self.labels)
-        self.list = list
+               "list: %s\nlabels: %s" % (arg,self.labels)
+        self.list = arg
 
     def values(self):
         return self.list
diff --git a/src/Filters/_FilterList.py b/src/Filters/_FilterList.py
index a2044057a..0ef228f13 100644
--- a/src/Filters/_FilterList.py
+++ b/src/Filters/_FilterList.py
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ class FilterList:
             return []
 
     def add(self, namespace, filt):
-        assert(type(namespace)==str or type(namespace)==unicode)
+        assert(isinstance(namespace, basestring))
         
         if namespace not in self.filter_namespaces.keys():
             self.filter_namespaces[namespace] = []
diff --git a/src/GrampsDbUtils/_GedcomStageOne.py b/src/GrampsDbUtils/_GedcomStageOne.py
index 0599631a2..742543a79 100644
--- a/src/GrampsDbUtils/_GedcomStageOne.py
+++ b/src/GrampsDbUtils/_GedcomStageOne.py
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ class StageOne:
             elif key in ("CHIL", "CHILD") and is_xref_value(value):
                 add_to_list(self.famc, value[1:-1], current_family_id)
             elif key == 'CHAR' and not self.enc:
-                assert(type(value) == str or type(value) == unicode)
+                assert(isinstance(value, basestring))
                 self.enc = value
 
     def get_famc_map(self):
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ class StageOne:
         """
         Forces the encoding
         """
-        assert(type(enc) == str or type(enc) == unicode)
+        assert(isinstance(enc, basestring))
         self.enc = enc
 
     def get_person_count(self):
diff --git a/src/GrampsDbUtils/_GrampsBSDDB.py b/src/GrampsDbUtils/_GrampsBSDDB.py
index cc4e3402e..3e9c8ae52 100644
--- a/src/GrampsDbUtils/_GrampsBSDDB.py
+++ b/src/GrampsDbUtils/_GrampsBSDDB.py
@@ -2084,7 +2084,7 @@ class GrampsBSDDB(GrampsDbBase, UpdateCallback):
         if name == 'Note':
             # Special case: we are way down at the very bottom.
             # Create note, commit it, return a list with one handle.
-            if (type(obj) == tuple) and (len(obj) > 0) and \
+            if (isinstance(obj, tuple) and (len(obj) > 0) and \
                    ('strip' in dir(obj[0])) and (obj[0].strip()):
                 # Some notes may be None, from early databases.
                 (text, format) = obj
diff --git a/src/GrampsDbUtils/_ReadGedcom.py b/src/GrampsDbUtils/_ReadGedcom.py
index ccb652f7b..2dd98198a 100644
--- a/src/GrampsDbUtils/_ReadGedcom.py
+++ b/src/GrampsDbUtils/_ReadGedcom.py
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ def import2(database, filename, callback, code_set, use_trans):
     Import the gedcom file.
     """
 
-    assert(type(code_set) == str or type(code_set) == unicode)
+    assert(isinstance(code_set, basestring))
 
     try:
         ifile = open(filename, "rU")
diff --git a/src/ManagedWindow.py b/src/ManagedWindow.py
index cf2d52630..e685d3284 100644
--- a/src/ManagedWindow.py
+++ b/src/ManagedWindow.py
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ class GrampsWindowManager:
         # starting with the given item.
         # Eventualy, every non-list item (leaf) will be reached
         # and the func(item,*args) will be called on that item.
-        if type(item) == list:
+        if isinstance(item, list):
             # If this item is a branch
             # close the children except for the first one
             for sub_item in item[1:]:
@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@ class GrampsWindowManager:
 
         # Make sure we have a track
         parent_item = self.get_item_from_track(track)
-        assert type(parent_item) == list or track == [], \
+        assert isinstance(parent_item, list) or track == [], \
                "Gwm: add_item: Incorrect track - Is parent not a leaf?"
 
         # Prepare a new item, depending on whether it is branch or leaf
@@ -220,7 +220,7 @@ class GrampsWindowManager:
         return new_track
 
     def call_back_factory(self, item):
-        if type(item) != list:
+        if not isinstance(item, list):
             def func(obj):
                 if item.window_id and self.id2item.get(item.window_id):
                     self.id2item[item.window_id].present()
@@ -233,7 +233,7 @@ class GrampsWindowManager:
         return str(item.window_id)
 
     def display_menu_list(self, data, action_data, mlist):
-        if type(mlist) in (list, tuple):
+        if isinstance(mlist, (list, tuple)):
             i = mlist[0]
             idval = self.generate_id(i)
             data.write('<menu action="M:%s">' % idval)
@@ -247,9 +247,9 @@ class GrampsWindowManager:
         action_data.append((idval, None, i.menu_label, None, None,
                             self.call_back_factory(i)))
 
-        if (type(mlist) in (list, tuple)) and (len(mlist) > 1):
+        if isinstance(mlist, (list, tuple)) and (len(mlist) > 1):
             for i in mlist[1:]:
-                if type(i) == list:
+                if isinstance(i, list):
                     self.display_menu_list(data, action_data, i)
                 else:
                     idval = self.generate_id(i)
@@ -257,7 +257,7 @@ class GrampsWindowManager:
                                % self.generate_id(i))        
                     action_data.append((idval, None, i.menu_label, None, None,
                                         self.call_back_factory(i)))
-        if type(mlist) in (list, tuple):
+        if isinstance(mlist, (list, tuple)):
             data.write('</menu>')
         
     def build_windows_menu(self):
diff --git a/src/Models/_ListCursor.py b/src/Models/_ListCursor.py
index 4b7dd9d8f..427e1ee60 100644
--- a/src/Models/_ListCursor.py
+++ b/src/Models/_ListCursor.py
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ class ListCursor(object):
         automatically unpickle it. So this method provides
         a convenient way to unpickle the object.
         """
-        if rec and type(rec[1]) == type(""):
+        if rec and isinstance(rec[1], str):
             tmp = [rec[0],None]
             tmp[1] = cPickle.loads(rec[1])
             rec = tmp
diff --git a/src/Models/_PathCursor.py b/src/Models/_PathCursor.py
index f224a43f0..7bbcfdb3e 100644
--- a/src/Models/_PathCursor.py
+++ b/src/Models/_PathCursor.py
@@ -236,7 +236,7 @@ class PathCursor(object):
         automatically unpickle it. So this method provides
         a convenient way to unpickle the object.
         """
-        if rec and type(rec[1]) == type(""):
+        if rec and isinstance(rec[1], str):
             tmp = [rec[0],None]
             tmp[1] = cPickle.loads(rec[1])
             rec = tmp
diff --git a/src/PluginUtils/_Options.py b/src/PluginUtils/_Options.py
index 8afb59a6c..516a6c45b 100644
--- a/src/PluginUtils/_Options.py
+++ b/src/PluginUtils/_Options.py
@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ class OptionListCollection:
             f.write('<module name="%s">\n' % escape(module_name))
             options = option_list.get_options()
             for option_name in options.keys():
-                if type(options[option_name]) in (type(list()),type(tuple())):
+                if isinstance(options[option_name], (list, tuple)):
                     f.write('  <option name="%s" value="" length="%d">\n' % (
                                 escape(option_name),
                                 len(options[option_name]) ) )
diff --git a/src/PluginUtils/_Tool.py b/src/PluginUtils/_Tool.py
index 8fa103234..edca992f2 100644
--- a/src/PluginUtils/_Tool.py
+++ b/src/PluginUtils/_Tool.py
@@ -88,9 +88,9 @@ class Tool:
         if issubclass(options_class, MenuToolOptions):
             # FIXME: pass in person_id
             self.options = options_class(name, None, dbstate)
-        elif type(options_class) == ClassType:
+        elif isinstance(options_class, ClassType):
             self.options = options_class(name)
-        elif type(options_class) == InstanceType:
+        elif isinstance(options_class, InstanceType):
             self.options = options_class
         self.options.load_previous_values()
 
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ class CommandLineTool:
                                     self.options_help[self.show][1])
             print "   Available values are:"
             vals = self.options_help[self.show][2]
-            if type(vals) in [list,tuple]:
+            if isinstance(vals, (list, tuple)):
                 if self.options_help[self.show][3]:
                     for num in range(len(vals)):
                         print "      %d\t%s" % (num,vals[num])
diff --git a/src/QuickReports.py b/src/QuickReports.py
index 78e338443..c0991f07b 100644
--- a/src/QuickReports.py
+++ b/src/QuickReports.py
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ def run_report(dbstate, uistate, category, handle, func, **kwargs):
             d = TextBufDoc(make_basic_stylesheet(), None, None)
             d.dbstate = dbstate
             d.uistate = uistate
-            if type(handle) in [str, unicode]: # a handle
+            if isinstance(handle, basestring): # a handle
                 if category == CATEGORY_QR_PERSON :
                     obj = dbstate.db.get_person_from_handle(handle)
                 elif category == CATEGORY_QR_FAMILY :
diff --git a/src/ReportBase/_CommandLineReport.py b/src/ReportBase/_CommandLineReport.py
index 829409603..53c495196 100644
--- a/src/ReportBase/_CommandLineReport.py
+++ b/src/ReportBase/_CommandLineReport.py
@@ -353,7 +353,7 @@ class CommandLineReport:
                                     self.options_help[self.show][1])
             print "   Available values are:"
             vals = self.options_help[self.show][2]
-            if type(vals) in [list,tuple]:
+            if isinstance(vals, (list, tuple)):
                 if self.options_help[self.show][3]:
                     for num in range(len(vals)):
                         print "      %d\t%s" % (num,vals[num])
diff --git a/src/ReportBase/_GraphvizReportDialog.py b/src/ReportBase/_GraphvizReportDialog.py
index 03857562a..19715f65f 100644
--- a/src/ReportBase/_GraphvizReportDialog.py
+++ b/src/ReportBase/_GraphvizReportDialog.py
@@ -805,10 +805,10 @@ class GraphvizReportDialog(ReportDialog):
                               name, translated_name)
         
     def init_options(self, option_class):
-        if type(option_class) == ClassType:
+        if isinstance(option_class, ClassType):
             self.options = option_class(self.raw_name,
                                         self.dbstate.get_database())
-        elif type(option_class) == InstanceType:
+        elif isinstance(option_class, InstanceType):
             self.options = option_class
 
         ################################
diff --git a/src/ReportBase/_ReportDialog.py b/src/ReportBase/_ReportDialog.py
index 2489cff10..525882118 100644
--- a/src/ReportBase/_ReportDialog.py
+++ b/src/ReportBase/_ReportDialog.py
@@ -96,9 +96,9 @@ class ReportDialog(ManagedWindow.ManagedWindow):
         self.init_interface()
         
     def init_options(self, option_class):
-        if type(option_class) == ClassType:
+        if isinstance(option_class, ClassType):
             self.options = option_class(self.raw_name, self.db)
-        elif type(option_class) == InstanceType:
+        elif isinstance(option_class, InstanceType):
             self.options = option_class
 
         self.options.load_previous_values()
diff --git a/src/ReportBase/_ReportUtils.py b/src/ReportBase/_ReportUtils.py
index 969282a39..49b5ea0ea 100644
--- a/src/ReportBase/_ReportUtils.py
+++ b/src/ReportBase/_ReportUtils.py
@@ -1528,7 +1528,7 @@ def estimate_age_on_date(db, person, ddata=_TODAY):
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 def roman(num):
     """ Integer to Roman numeral converter for 0 < num < 4000 """
-    if type(num) != int:
+    if not isinstance(num, int):
         return "?"
     if not 0 < num < 4000:
         return "?"
diff --git a/src/Simple/_SimpleAccess.py b/src/Simple/_SimpleAccess.py
index 2afcd00dd..687e66db8 100644
--- a/src/Simple/_SimpleAccess.py
+++ b/src/Simple/_SimpleAccess.py
@@ -612,7 +612,7 @@ class SimpleAccess:
         @rtype: list
         """
         assert(isinstance(obj, (gen.lib.Person, gen.lib.Family, NoneType)))
-        assert(type(restrict) == type([]) or restrict == None)
+        assert(isinstance(restrict, list) or restrict == None)
 
         if obj:
             event_handles = [ ref.ref for ref in obj.get_event_ref_list() ]
diff --git a/src/Simple/_SimpleTable.py b/src/Simple/_SimpleTable.py
index be228d1ca..189d10c22 100644
--- a/src/Simple/_SimpleTable.py
+++ b/src/Simple/_SimpleTable.py
@@ -179,9 +179,9 @@ class SimpleTable:
         for col in range(len(data)):
             item = data[col]
             # FIXME: add better text representations of these objects
-            if type(item) in [str, unicode]:
+            if isinstance(item, basestring):
                 retval.append(item)
-            elif type(item) in [int, float, long]:
+            elif isinstance(item, (int, float, long)):
                 retval.append(item)
                 self.row_sort_val(col, item)
             elif isinstance(item, gen.lib.Person):
diff --git a/src/TreeTips.py b/src/TreeTips.py
index ffb385291..d5f15e5e0 100644
--- a/src/TreeTips.py
+++ b/src/TreeTips.py
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ class TreeTips(gtk.Widget):
             tip = model.get_value(rowIter, self.column)
             # The tip can be either a string or
             # a function that returns a string.
-            if type(tip) == str:
+            if isinstance(tip, str):
                 text = tip
             elif callable(tip):
                 text = tip()
diff --git a/src/Utils.py b/src/Utils.py
index 31d6d8ab4..f6afb42f9 100644
--- a/src/Utils.py
+++ b/src/Utils.py
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ data_recover_msg = _('The data can only be recovered by Undo operation '
             'or by quitting with abandoning changes.')
 
 def fix_encoding(value):
-    if type(value) != unicode:
+    if not isinstance(value, unicode):
         try:
             return unicode(value)
         except:
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ def xml_lang():
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 def force_unicode(n):
-    if type(n) != unicode:
+    if not isinstance(n, unicode):
         return (unicode(n).lower(), unicode(n))
     else:
         return (n.lower(), n)
diff --git a/src/gen/lib/attrbase.py b/src/gen/lib/attrbase.py
index 7e80d4624..69b9f5d88 100644
--- a/src/gen/lib/attrbase.py
+++ b/src/gen/lib/attrbase.py
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ class AttributeBase:
         @param attribute: L{Attribute} instance to add.
         @type attribute: L{Attribute}
         """
-        assert type(attribute) != unicode
+        assert not isinstance(attribute, unicode)
         self.attribute_list.append(attribute)
 
     def remove_attribute(self, attribute):
diff --git a/src/gen/lib/date.py b/src/gen/lib/date.py
index 58eea2298..a4e0a622b 100644
--- a/src/gen/lib/date.py
+++ b/src/gen/lib/date.py
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ class Date:
         if len(source) == 0:
             source = None
         elif len(source) == 1:
-            if type(source[0]) == int:
+            if isinstance(source[0], int):
                 source = (source[0], 0, 0)
             else:
                 source = source[0]
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ class Date:
         else:
             raise AttributeError, "invalid args to Date: %s" % source
         #### ok, process either date or tuple
-        if type(source) == tuple:
+        if isinstance(source, tuple):
             if calendar == None:
                 self.calendar = Date.CAL_GREGORIAN
             else:
@@ -221,7 +221,7 @@ class Date:
             self.sortval  = 0
             self.newyear = 0
             self.set_yr_mon_day(*source)
-        elif type(source) == str and source != "":
+        elif isinstance(source, str) and source != "":
             if (calendar != None or 
                 modifier != None or 
                 quality != None):
@@ -302,9 +302,9 @@ class Date:
         """
         Date arithmetic: Date() + years, or Date() + (years, [months, [days]]).
         """
-        if type(other) == int:
+        if isinstance(other, int):
             return self.copy_offset_ymd(other)
-        elif type(other) in [tuple, list]:
+        elif isinstance(other, (tuple, list)):
             return self.copy_offset_ymd(*other)
         else:
             raise AttributeError, "unknown date add type: %s " % type(other)
@@ -319,11 +319,11 @@ class Date:
         """
         Date arithmetic: Date() - years, Date - (y,m,d), or Date() - Date().
         """
-        if type(other) == int:                # Date - value -> Date
+        if isinstance(other, int):                # Date - value -> Date
             return self.copy_offset_ymd(-other)
-        elif type(other) in [tuple, list]:    # Date - (y, m, d) -> Date
+        elif isinstance(other, (tuple, list)):    # Date - (y, m, d) -> Date
             return self.copy_offset_ymd(*map(lambda x: -x, other))
-        elif type(other) == type(self):       # Date1 - Date2 -> tuple
+        elif isinstance(other, self):             # Date1 - Date2 -> tuple
             # We should make sure that Date2 + tuple -> Date1 and
             #                          Date1 - tuple -> Date2
             d1 = map(lambda i: i or 1, self.get_ymd())
diff --git a/src/gen/lib/grampstype.py b/src/gen/lib/grampstype.py
index 26994bbfe..cd54545e0 100644
--- a/src/gen/lib/grampstype.py
+++ b/src/gen/lib/grampstype.py
@@ -134,13 +134,13 @@ class GrampsType(object):
             self.string = u''
 
     def set(self, value):
-        if type(value) == tuple:
+        if isinstance(value, tuple):
             self.__set_tuple(value)
-        elif type(value) == int:
+        elif isinstance(value, int):
             self.__set_int(value)
         elif isinstance(value, self.__class__):
             self.__set_instance(value)
-        elif type(value) in (str,unicode):
+        elif isinstance(value, basestring):
             self.__set_str(value)
         else:
             self.val = self._DEFAULT
@@ -208,14 +208,14 @@ class GrampsType(object):
         return self._CUSTOM
     
     def __cmp__(self, value):
-        if type(value) == int:
+        if isinstance(value, int):
             return cmp(self.val, value)
-        elif type(value) in (str, unicode):
+        elif isinstance(value, basestring):
             if self.val == self._CUSTOM:
                 return cmp(self.string, value)
             else:
                 return cmp(self._I2SMAP.get(self.val), value)
-        elif type(value) == tuple:
+        elif isinstance(value, tuple):
             return cmp((self.val, self.string), value)
         else:
             if value.val == self._CUSTOM:
diff --git a/src/gen/lib/markertype.py b/src/gen/lib/markertype.py
index 16113e453..8a7da92e7 100644
--- a/src/gen/lib/markertype.py
+++ b/src/gen/lib/markertype.py
@@ -71,17 +71,17 @@ class MarkerType(GrampsType):
             else:
                 self.val = value.val
                 self.string = value.string
-        elif type(value) == tuple:
+        elif isinstance(value, tuple):
             if value[0] == self.CUSTOM and value[1] == u'':
                 self.value = self.NONE
                 self.string = u''
             else:
                 self.val = value[0]
                 self.string = value[1]
-        elif type(value) == int:
+        elif isinstance(value, int):
             self.val = value
             self.string = u''
-        elif type(value) == str:
+        elif isinstance(value, str):
             self.val = self._S2IMAP.get(value, self._CUSTOM)
             if self.val == self._CUSTOM:
                 self.string = value
diff --git a/src/gen/lib/person.py b/src/gen/lib/person.py
index 2429a4c5a..c639f527f 100644
--- a/src/gen/lib/person.py
+++ b/src/gen/lib/person.py
@@ -709,7 +709,7 @@ class Person(SourceBase, NoteBase, AttributeBase, MediaBase,
             Person's L{Family} list.
         @type family_handle: str
         """
-        if type(family_handle) not in (str, unicode):
+        if not isinstance(family_handle, basestring):
             raise ValueError("expecting handle")
         if family_handle not in self.parent_family_list:
             self.parent_family_list.append(family_handle)
diff --git a/src/gen/utils/callback.py b/src/gen/utils/callback.py
index c0648bdb5..8752031c2 100644
--- a/src/gen/utils/callback.py
+++ b/src/gen/utils/callback.py
@@ -397,8 +397,8 @@ class Callback(object):
                 for (key, fn) in self.__callback_map[signal_name]:
                     self._log("Calling callback with key: %s\n" % (key, ))
                     try:
-                        if type(fn) == types.FunctionType or \
-                                type(fn) == types.MethodType: # call func
+                        if isinstance(fn, types.FunctionType) or \
+                                isinstance(fn, types.MethodType): # call func
                             fn(*args)                        
                         else:
                             self._warn("Badly formed entry in callback map.\n")
diff --git a/src/gen/utils/test/callback_test.py b/src/gen/utils/test/callback_test.py
index 8425f0263..a7e54743e 100644
--- a/src/gen/utils/test/callback_test.py
+++ b/src/gen/utils/test/callback_test.py
@@ -213,26 +213,26 @@ class TestCallback(unittest.TestCase):
 
         t = TestSignals()
         t.connect('test-int',fn), t.emit('test-int',(1,))
-        assert type(rl[0]) == int, "not int"
+        assert isinstance(rl[0], int), "not int"
 
         t.connect('test-list',fn), t.emit('test-list',([1,2],))
-        assert type(rl[1]) == list, "not list"
+        assert isinstance(rl[1], list), "not list"
 
         t.connect('test-object',fn), t.emit('test-object',(t,))
         assert isinstance(rl[2], object), "not object"
 
         t.connect('test-float',fn), t.emit('test-float',(2.3,))
-        assert type(rl[3]) == float, "not float"
+        assert isinstance(rl[3], float), "not float"
 
         t.connect('test-dict',fn), t.emit('test-dict',({1:2},))
-        assert type(rl[4]) == dict, "not dict"
+        assert isinstance(rl[4], dict), "not dict"
 
         rl = []
         def fn2(i,s,l, o,f,r=rl):
             rl.append(i)
 
         t.connect('test-lots',fn2), t.emit('test-lots',(1,'a',[1,2],t,1.2))
-        assert type(rl[0]) == int, "not lots"
+        assert isinstance(rl[0], int), "not lots"
 
         # This should fail because the type of arg1 is wrong
         res=[]
diff --git a/src/plugins/AncestorTree.py b/src/plugins/AncestorTree.py
index 629511c45..a7ae39751 100644
--- a/src/plugins/AncestorTree.py
+++ b/src/plugins/AncestorTree.py
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ class GenChart:
 
     def not_blank(self,line):
         for i in line:
-            if i and type(i) == tuple:
+            if i and isinstance(i, tuple):
                 return 1
         return 0
 
@@ -377,7 +377,7 @@ class AncestorTree(Report):
             for x in range(startx,stopx):
                 value = self.genchart.get_xy(x,y)
                 if value:
-                    if type(value) == tuple:
+                    if isinstance(value, tuple):
                         (person,index) = value
                         text = '\n'.join(self.text[index])
                         self.doc.draw_box("AC2-box",
@@ -426,7 +426,7 @@ class AncestorTree(Report):
                 value = self.genchart.get_xy(x,y)
                 if not value:
                     continue
-                if type(value) == tuple:
+                if isinstance(value, tuple):
                     (person,index) = value
                     if self.genchart.get(index*2):
                         (px,py) = self.genchart.index_to_xy(index*2)
diff --git a/src/plugins/BookReport.py b/src/plugins/BookReport.py
index 50e3d5c3e..f1b9dad9c 100644
--- a/src/plugins/BookReport.py
+++ b/src/plugins/BookReport.py
@@ -433,7 +433,7 @@ class BookList:
                 options = item.option_class.handler.options_dict
                 for option_name in options.keys():
                     option_value = options[option_name]
-                    if type(option_value) in (type(list()), type(tuple())):
+                    if isinstance(option_value, (list, tuple)):
                         f.write('  <option name="%s" value="" '
                                 'length="%d">\n' % (
                                     escape(option_name),
diff --git a/src/plugins/Calendar.py b/src/plugins/Calendar.py
index 75f1bb16c..f9cd09a5b 100644
--- a/src/plugins/Calendar.py
+++ b/src/plugins/Calendar.py
@@ -858,10 +858,10 @@ class Holidays:
                     d = int(d)
             ndate = datetime.date(y, m, d)
             if self.debug: print ndate, offset, type(offset)
-            if type(offset) == int:
+            if isinstance(offset, int):
                 if offset != 0:
                     ndate = ndate.fromordinal(ndate.toordinal() + offset)
-            elif type(offset) in [type(u''), str]:
+            elif isinstance(offset, basestring):
                 dir = 1
                 if offset[0] == "-":
                     dir = -1
diff --git a/src/plugins/Check.py b/src/plugins/Check.py
index d1d4bb2c8..60410caf9 100644
--- a/src/plugins/Check.py
+++ b/src/plugins/Check.py
@@ -326,13 +326,13 @@ class CheckIntegrity:
 
         for handle in self.db.media_map.keys():
             data = self.db.media_map[handle]
-            if type(data[2]) != unicode or type(data[4]) != unicode:
+            if not isinstance(data[2], unicode) or not isinstance(data[4], unicode):
                 obj = self.db.get_object_from_handle(handle)
                 obj.path = Utils.fix_encoding( obj.path)
                 obj.desc = Utils.fix_encoding( obj.desc)
                 self.db.commit_media_object(obj,self.trans)
             # Once we are here, fix the mime string if not str
-            if type(data[3]) != str:
+            if not isinstance(data[3], str):
                 obj = self.db.get_object_from_handle(handle)
                 try:
                     if data[3] == str(data[3]):
@@ -798,7 +798,7 @@ class CheckIntegrity:
                         person.get_event_ref_list().remove(event_ref)
                         self.db.commit_person(person,self.trans)
                         self.invalid_events.append(key)
-            elif type(person.get_event_ref_list()) != list:
+            elif not isinstance(person.get_event_ref_list(), list):
                 # event_list is None or other garbage
                 person.set_event_ref_list([])
                 self.db.commit_person(person,self.trans)
@@ -820,7 +820,7 @@ class CheckIntegrity:
                         family.set_event_ref_list(nlist)
                         self.db.commit_family(family,self.trans)
                         self.invalid_events.append(key)
-            elif type(family.get_event_ref_list()) != list:
+            elif not isinstance(family.get_event_ref_list(), list):
                 # event_list is None or other garbage
                 family.set_event_ref_list([])
                 self.db.commit_family(family,self.trans)
diff --git a/src/plugins/CmdRef.py b/src/plugins/CmdRef.py
index 68a78c101..b5b969afe 100644
--- a/src/plugins/CmdRef.py
+++ b/src/plugins/CmdRef.py
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ class CmdRef(Tool.Tool):
                     % escape(oclass.options_help[arg][1]))
 
             if len(oclass.options_help[arg])>2:
-                if type(oclass.options_help[arg][2]) in [list,tuple]:
+                if isinstance(oclass.options_help[arg][2], (list, tuple)):
                     if oclass.options_help[arg][3]:
                         f.write('          <orderedlist>\n')
                         for val in oclass.options_help[arg][2]:
diff --git a/src/plugins/DescendTree.py b/src/plugins/DescendTree.py
index 54b6271c7..4efc5661e 100644
--- a/src/plugins/DescendTree.py
+++ b/src/plugins/DescendTree.py
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ class GenChart:
 
     def not_blank(self,line):
         for i in line:
-            if i and type(i) == tuple:
+            if i and isinstance(i, tuple):
                 return 1
         return 0
 
@@ -352,7 +352,7 @@ class DescendTree(Report):
             phys_x = 0
             for x in range(startx,stopx):
                 value = self.genchart.get_xy(x,y)
-                if type(value) == str or type(value) == unicode:
+                if isinstance(value, basestring):
                     text = '\n'.join(self.text[(x,y)])
                     xbegin = phys_x*self.delta
                     yend   = phys_y*bh+self.offset
diff --git a/src/plugins/SameSurnames.py b/src/plugins/SameSurnames.py
index e7454af2d..bfbfd0481 100644
--- a/src/plugins/SameSurnames.py
+++ b/src/plugins/SameSurnames.py
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ def run(database, document, person):
     sdb = SimpleAccess(database)
     sdoc = SimpleDoc(document)
     stab = SimpleTable(sdb)
-    if type(person) == str:
+    if isinstance(person, str):
         surname = person
         rsurname = person
     else:
diff --git a/src/plugins/WebCal.py b/src/plugins/WebCal.py
index 319e7b4b7..4e997ed24 100644
--- a/src/plugins/WebCal.py
+++ b/src/plugins/WebCal.py
@@ -1160,10 +1160,10 @@ class Holidays:
                     d = int(d)
             ndate = datetime.date(y, m, d)
             if self.debug: print ndate, offset, type(offset)
-            if type(offset) == int:
+            if isinstance(offset, int):
                 if offset != 0:
                     ndate = ndate.fromordinal(ndate.toordinal() + offset)
-            elif type(offset) in [type(u''), str]:
+            elif isinstance(offset, basestring):
                 dir = 1
                 if offset[0] == "-":
                     dir = -1
diff --git a/src/plugins/rel_cs.py b/src/plugins/rel_cs.py
index 8a9888335..d159d4703 100644
--- a/src/plugins/rel_cs.py
+++ b/src/plugins/rel_cs.py
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ class RelationshipCalculator(Relationship.RelationshipCalculator):
         (secondRel,firstRel,common) = \
                      self.get_relationship_distance(db, orig_person, other_person)
 
-        if type(common) in (str,unicode):
+        if isinstance(common, basestring):
             return (common,[])
         elif common:
             person_handle = common[0]
diff --git a/src/plugins/rel_da.py b/src/plugins/rel_da.py
index b08ecef91..3e527204e 100644
--- a/src/plugins/rel_da.py
+++ b/src/plugins/rel_da.py
@@ -182,8 +182,7 @@ class RelationshipCalculator(Relationship.RelationshipCalculator):
         (secondRel,firstRel,common) = \
                      self.get_relationship_distance(db, orig_person, other_person)
 
-        if type(common) == types.StringType or \
-           type(common) == types.UnicodeType:
+        if isinstance(common, basestring):
             return (common,[])
         elif common:
             person_handle = common[0]
diff --git a/src/plugins/rel_es.py b/src/plugins/rel_es.py
index a31e8dc62..e03482ef7 100644
--- a/src/plugins/rel_es.py
+++ b/src/plugins/rel_es.py
@@ -271,8 +271,7 @@ class RelationshipCalculator(Relationship.RelationshipCalculator):
         (secondRel,firstRel,common) = \
                      self.get_relationship_distance(db, orig_person, other_person)
 
-        if type(common) == types.StringType or \
-           type(common) == types.UnicodeType:
+        if isinstance(common, basestring):
             return (common,[])
         elif common:
             person_handle = common[0]
diff --git a/src/plugins/rel_fi.py b/src/plugins/rel_fi.py
index 7d5df5b87..a38dd60c0 100644
--- a/src/plugins/rel_fi.py
+++ b/src/plugins/rel_fi.py
@@ -192,8 +192,7 @@ class RelationshipCalculator(Relationship.RelationshipCalculator):
         (secondRel,firstRel,common) = \
                      self.get_relationship_distance(db, orig_person, other_person)
 
-        if type(common) == types.StringType or \
-           type(common) == types.UnicodeType:
+        if isinstance(common, basestring):
             return (common,[])
         elif common:
             person_handle = common[0]
diff --git a/src/plugins/rel_hu.py b/src/plugins/rel_hu.py
index 38a753a67..f431875f2 100644
--- a/src/plugins/rel_hu.py
+++ b/src/plugins/rel_hu.py
@@ -301,8 +301,7 @@ class RelationshipCalculator(Relationship.RelationshipCalculator):
         (secondRel,firstRel,common) = \
                      self.get_relationship_distance(db, orig_person, other_person)
         
-        if type(common) == types.StringType or \
-           type(common) == types.UnicodeType:
+        if isinstance(common, basestring):
             return (common,[])
         elif common:
             person_handle = common[0]
diff --git a/src/plugins/rel_it.py b/src/plugins/rel_it.py
index 8ff52d1aa..3ab43edc8 100644
--- a/src/plugins/rel_it.py
+++ b/src/plugins/rel_it.py
@@ -334,8 +334,7 @@ class RelationshipCalculator(Relationship.RelationshipCalculator):
         (secondRel,firstRel,common) = \
                      self.get_relationship_distance(db, orig_person, other_person)
 
-        if type(common) == types.StringType or \
-           type(common) == types.UnicodeType:
+        if isinstance(common, basestring):
             return (common,[])
         elif common:
             person_handle = common[0]
diff --git a/src/plugins/rel_no.py b/src/plugins/rel_no.py
index faf747802..69456ef07 100644
--- a/src/plugins/rel_no.py
+++ b/src/plugins/rel_no.py
@@ -242,8 +242,7 @@ class RelationshipCalculator(Relationship.RelationshipCalculator):
         (secondRel,firstRel,common) = \
                      self.get_relationship_distance(db, orig_person, other_person)
 
-        if type(common) == types.StringType or \
-           type(common) == types.UnicodeType:
+        if isinstance(common, basestring):
             return (common,[])
         elif common:
             person_handle = common[0]
diff --git a/src/plugins/rel_pt.py b/src/plugins/rel_pt.py
index 63ce31da9..220356f4b 100644
--- a/src/plugins/rel_pt.py
+++ b/src/plugins/rel_pt.py
@@ -264,7 +264,7 @@ class RelationshipCalculator(Relationship.RelationshipCalculator):
         #orig person, apperently secondRel in this function
         (secondRel,firstRel,common) = self.get_relationship_distance(orig_person, other_person)
 
-        if type(common) == types.StringType or type(common) == types.UnicodeType:
+        if isinstance(common, basestring):
             return (common,[])
         elif common:
             person_handle = common[0]
diff --git a/src/plugins/rel_ru.py b/src/plugins/rel_ru.py
index 38540d272..8d3dad171 100644
--- a/src/plugins/rel_ru.py
+++ b/src/plugins/rel_ru.py
@@ -217,8 +217,7 @@ class RelationshipCalculator(Relationship.RelationshipCalculator):
         (secondRel,firstRel,common) = \
                      self.get_relationship_distance(db, orig_person, other_person)
         
-        if type(common) == types.StringType or \
-           type(common) == types.UnicodeType:
+        if isinstance(common, basestring):
             return (common,[])
         elif common:
             person_handle = common[0]
diff --git a/src/plugins/rel_sk.py b/src/plugins/rel_sk.py
index a56c538ef..1c5fddc0d 100644
--- a/src/plugins/rel_sk.py
+++ b/src/plugins/rel_sk.py
@@ -165,8 +165,7 @@ class RelationshipCalculator(Relationship.RelationshipCalculator):
         (secondRel,firstRel,common) = \
                      self.get_relationship_distance(db, orig_person, other_person)
 
-        if type(common) == types.StringType or \
-           type(common) == types.UnicodeType:
+        if isinstance(common, basestring):
             return (common,[])
         elif common:
             person_handle = common[0]
diff --git a/src/widgets/monitoredwidgets.py b/src/widgets/monitoredwidgets.py
index d4b167322..0ad85310f 100644
--- a/src/widgets/monitoredwidgets.py
+++ b/src/widgets/monitoredwidgets.py
@@ -375,7 +375,7 @@ class MonitoredDataType:
 
     def update(self):
         val = self.get_val()
-        if type(val) == tuple :
+        if isinstance(val, tuple):
             self.sel.set_values(val)
         else:
             self.sel.set_values((int(val), str(val)))