How to Make a Family Pedigree Chart
As a passionate genealogist, one of my favorite ways to map out an ancestor’s story is through good old-fashioned pedigree charts. These visual family trees bring relationships to life across generations in a clear, digestible format.
If you’re new to genealogy research, creating a pedigree chart provides the perfect launchpad to document your heritage. And even for seasoned family historians like myself, they serve as a trusty reference guide amid tangled branches and surname changes.
Today, I’ll walk through the key steps to hand-draw an accurate pedigree chart from scratch. I’ll also share a few favorite digital tools to streamline the process and get you started on this rewarding journey of discovery!
How to Draw a Pedigree Chart
- Gather Supplies: Paper, pencil, eraser – simple but crucial tools for editing.
- Start with You: Begin your chart by recording your full name, birth date, and location as the starting point.
- Work Backward: Continue adding rows above for each previous generation – parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, etc.
- Use maiden names for females.
- Write surnames in CAPITAL letters
- Include precise birth, marriage, death dates when known
- Note geographic locations for life events.
- For clarity: Order Siblings – For any individual with multiple siblings, draw them left to right from oldest to youngest. Use horizontal lines above symbols, connecting vertically down.
- Spouses & Kids: Leaving space around each person, connect spouses with horizontal lines and any children branching below.
- Extend Outward: Don’t forget aunts, uncles, cousins! Use the same symbols/lines to incorporate extended family.
Online Pedigree Tools
For digitizing, great options include:
- Family Search’s free tree builder
- SmartDraw pedigree chart templates
- Lucidchart’s blank canvas creator
- Canva’s family tree design templates
Mastering Genealogical Search Strategies
Whether you start by hand or digitize for sharing, pedigree charts provide an intuitive roadmap to explore your roots. Get creative bringing your ancestors to life visually!
Tips to make creating a family tree a fun and engaging experience:
- Involve family members: Invite other family members to contribute information, stories, and photos. This can turn the process into a collaborative project and spark interesting conversations about your family history.
- Host a family tree-building party: Gather with relatives and make an event out of it. Bring old photos, documents, and memorabilia to share. Provide snacks and refreshments to make it a festive occasion.
- Interview older relatives: Older family members often have a wealth of knowledge and stories to share. Schedule interviews with them and record their memories. This can add richness and personal anecdotes to your family tree. Looking for interview question ideas? Get our free PDF here
- Incorporate multimedia: In addition to names and dates, include photos, audio recordings, video clips, or scanned documents to bring your family tree to life.
- Explore ancestry-related activities: Visit historical sites, archives, or libraries relevant to your family’s origins. Attend cultural events or take a DNA test to learn more about your ethnic background.
- Create a family heirloom: Consider printing your family tree on a high-quality poster, canvas, or booklet. This can become a cherished family heirloom to pass down to future generations.
- Share your journey online: Start a blog or create a social media account dedicated to your family tree project. Share your discoveries, challenges, and successes with others who have a similar interest.
- Make it visually appealing: Experiment with different designs, colors, and layouts to make your family tree visually attractive and engaging.
- Celebrate milestones: As you uncover significant findings or reach certain goals in your research, plan small celebrations or rewards to mark the occasion.
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Many people believe that a family tree for an adopted individual cannot be discovered. As a genetic genealogist, I will identify the birth family and relatives several generations back.
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