Drawing a family tree chart is an important way to preserve and document your family history. It’s the perfect way to get to know each of your ancestors better, and to trace your bloodline back for generations. But if you’ve ever attempted to draw a family tree, you know it can be a challenge. Fortunately, understanding the basics of charting family relationships isn’t as daunting as it might seem — and with a few simple tips, even a charting novice can have a family tree chart complete in no time!
First, decide on the type of chart that suits your needs and your style. If you’re looking to keep your chart simple, the most popular option is the standard pedigree chart. This chart follows a left-to-right format while listing information like names, birth and death dates, birthplaces and occupations of each person. Each box is connected by a line to its ancestors, so you can see how all individuals relate to one another.
Next, start small. Begin your family tree with yourself, your parents, and your grandparents. Once you’ve got the basics outlined, it’s time to start filling in the blanks. Do as much as you can on your own. Speak to family members and conduct research, looking for any clues about your relatives’ lives that might be hiding in old photos, letters, or certificates. Online resources, like the U.S. Census, can also be a wealth of information if you know where to look.
You might maximize your time and research results by joining online family tree-building communities and recruit more researchers from your extended family. When asking for information from relatives, be sure to be specific about the kind you’re looking for. Share what you’ve learned and proof of your research as encouragement for them to reciprocate.
Armed with the data you’ve collected, you can start to draw the chart and customize it. Choose the features you’d like, such as the font, shape of the boxes, and fancy design elements. Before printing, it’s important to go over the information you’ve entered and make sure everything is correct to the best of your knowledge. One incorrect date or living relative’s name can throw your entire chart off!
When the chart is finished and printed onto paper, you may want to seal it onto a foam board and hang it on your wall or display stand as a reminder of your lineage and all the sacrifices your family has made for you.
You can also preserve the research and all other information related to your chart digitally. There are many online tools that allow you to create a family tree online. These tools are great for organizing the data and can help you build out your chart more quickly and easily. Plus, it’ll be easy to refer to anytime you have a question about a certain ancestor.
For those creative types, there’s a variety of unique and stylish ways to present your family tree. You can print it onto a wall hanging, scrapbook pages, or even design a quilt or embroidery where each square is an ancestor’s face and is accompanied by basic facts or memorable anecdotes.
Putting together a family tree chart is a daunting task. But, with a bit of effort and a whole lot of research, you can create a lineage filled with fascinating tales of your ancestors. While it’s possible — and fun — to do it alone, try involving your entire family in the project. Collectively, you’ll get a better scope of the history and be able to preserve it in a way that honors everyone involved.
First, decide on the type of chart that suits your needs and your style. If you’re looking to keep your chart simple, the most popular option is the standard pedigree chart. This chart follows a left-to-right format while listing information like names, birth and death dates, birthplaces and occupations of each person. Each box is connected by a line to its ancestors, so you can see how all individuals relate to one another.
Next, start small. Begin your family tree with yourself, your parents, and your grandparents. Once you’ve got the basics outlined, it’s time to start filling in the blanks. Do as much as you can on your own. Speak to family members and conduct research, looking for any clues about your relatives’ lives that might be hiding in old photos, letters, or certificates. Online resources, like the U.S. Census, can also be a wealth of information if you know where to look.
You might maximize your time and research results by joining online family tree-building communities and recruit more researchers from your extended family. When asking for information from relatives, be sure to be specific about the kind you’re looking for. Share what you’ve learned and proof of your research as encouragement for them to reciprocate.
Armed with the data you’ve collected, you can start to draw the chart and customize it. Choose the features you’d like, such as the font, shape of the boxes, and fancy design elements. Before printing, it’s important to go over the information you’ve entered and make sure everything is correct to the best of your knowledge. One incorrect date or living relative’s name can throw your entire chart off!
When the chart is finished and printed onto paper, you may want to seal it onto a foam board and hang it on your wall or display stand as a reminder of your lineage and all the sacrifices your family has made for you.
You can also preserve the research and all other information related to your chart digitally. There are many online tools that allow you to create a family tree online. These tools are great for organizing the data and can help you build out your chart more quickly and easily. Plus, it’ll be easy to refer to anytime you have a question about a certain ancestor.
For those creative types, there’s a variety of unique and stylish ways to present your family tree. You can print it onto a wall hanging, scrapbook pages, or even design a quilt or embroidery where each square is an ancestor’s face and is accompanied by basic facts or memorable anecdotes.
Putting together a family tree chart is a daunting task. But, with a bit of effort and a whole lot of research, you can create a lineage filled with fascinating tales of your ancestors. While it’s possible — and fun — to do it alone, try involving your entire family in the project. Collectively, you’ll get a better scope of the history and be able to preserve it in a way that honors everyone involved.
