Filling out a family tree may seem daunting, especially when just starting. The key is to set realistic goals and not bite off more than you can chew.
Fortunately, plenty of genealogy tools help you keep your research organized and efficient. This article focuses on family tree charts and worksheets.
Decide on a Design
A family tree or genealogy chart uses a conventional tree structure to represent ancestry and descent. More detailed genealogical charts are also known as genograms.
Compiling information about your ancestors is the most important step in creating a genealogy chart. A comprehensive list of names, dates, and places of birth, marriage, and death is essential for accurately building a tree. This can be done through research, interviews with living relatives, and online resources like databases and websites.
As individuals explore their familial heritage and connections, understanding family trees becomes paramount, with resources like family trees explained serving as valuable guides to unravel the intricate web of relationships and ancestral lineages.
It is also recommended to include a timeline that outlines major historical events in the life of your ancestors. This will make your family history more compelling and engaging to viewers.
Once you have compiled your family history, it is time to begin designing your chart. Decide whether to arrange your ancestors in an ascending or descending format. An ascending family tree starts from a single person and illustrates their lineage to their descendants. In contrast, a descending tree begins at the youngest child and traces backward through each generation.
Choosing your design is crucial to how your chart looks and functions. It should be clear, concise, and easy to read, especially for older relatives looking at the chart for the first time. The best way to achieve this is by using a template with a consistent and uniform layout. Typically, each person is represented by a shape—normally a box or rectangle—connected to other shapes through lines representing relationships.
Create a Template
A genealogy chart is usually a top-bottom ancestral or descendants chart with boxes representing individuals linked by lines to indicate their relationships. This type of chart requires you to know your family history and contact family members to ensure accuracy. It’s also a great opportunity to share your work with family members and ensure everyone is on the same page regarding information.
You can add various custom properties and data fields to any shape on your chart to provide additional information, links, and resources to help you research further. You can also use a collaborative tool to discuss the chart with others and make changes quickly. You can even create a separate chart that serves as a research plan for each question you’re trying to answer by identifying what records will help you find answers, clarifying record availability for the period and location of your project, and listing specific repositories where these sources may be found.
Use the color palettes or preset themes provided to style your genealogy chart to match your brand. You can also choose to include icons, graphics, illustrations, or backgrounds for an extra level of customization and flair. To further enhance your genealogy chart, consider using colors to categorize generations and to distinguish deceased from living relatives. You can also use lines or labels to connect parents with their children and grandchildren or to identify siblings.
Create Your Chart
It’s easy to get overwhelmed as you try to organize your ancestry information in a family tree. This is why having a good system to record data is important. Use fillable forms like family group sheets and pedigree charts. This will help you record your ancestry correctly without writing it down by hand.
Once you have your information, it’s time to create your genealogy chart. A family tree diagram is typically structured like a tree with an individual at the base and lines that connect to their descendants. Each branch of the tree will have a leaf representing a family member. Usually, this will be a box, but it can be a rectangle, square, or any other shape you prefer.
Please ensure you use consistent shapes for each family member and that the lines between them clearly illustrate their relationships. You can also color-coordinate or label to group generations, distinguish deceased from living relatives, or highlight a specific relationship like siblings. It’s also a good idea to spell out names properly, including maiden and married names, and use the standard date format of day/month/year. This will ensure that your family tree is accurate for future generations to reference.
As you progress through your research, sharing your results with family members can be a great way to encourage them to continue their genealogy explorations. Creating a blog or a private Facebook group dedicated to your family history research can also be a fun way to share your findings and ask for assistance when needed.
When sharing your chart with relatives, ensure that the information is backed up by solid evidence to ensure they understand the data and give accurate details. The best way to avoid this is by providing that all personal photos in your family tree are accompanied by their birth, death, and marriage records.
The purpose of your chart will determine the type of information you include in it. For example, a pedigree chart displays the main person at the center, with their parents on either side and children below. This style of genealogy chart is great for showing your direct lineage and may be the perfect choice if you’re looking to give it to grandparents. Alternatively, an hourglass chart combines a single person’s ancestors and descendants, showing their siblings and children below them. The symmetry of this chart makes it an excellent option for wall hangings. It can also be useful if you are trying to discover common ancestors with a specific relative.