Start Your Family Tree Today By Looking At Examples of Family Trees
Posted: Thursday, August 06, 2009
by Jeff Kona
Family Tree Research Secrets
You've decided to create your own unique family tree to share with your family at the next family gathering. Great! Now what? How do you get started?
Have you heard the phrase "Imitation is a form of flattery"? In this case, if you are brand new to genealogy and specifically family charts, then your best bet is to look at examples of family trees. You can find other people's existing family charts or you can find some blank family chart templates. The Internet is the easiest place to begin your search. Use these charts as a guide to help you create your own family chart.
* Family Lineage Chart
* Descendant Chart
* Pedigree Chart
Let's start with the most common chart: pedigree chart (also known as a direct lineage or asendant family tree). These are the family trees that most people think of when they hear the phrase "family tree." This chart starts with a single person (usually YOU!) and then follows one family name or bloodline backwards through history as far back as possible.
For example, a pedigree chart for your father's bloodline would start with you. Then next would be your biological parents. Next would be your father's biological parents, then your grandfather's biological parents, etc.
The most common pedigree chart follows both parents' bloodlines, starting with you. Next your parents are listed. Then both sets of grandparents and then all four sets of great grandparents, etc. This is the typical family tree chart.
The next most common type of family chart is the descendant chart. This is basically the opposite of the pedigree chart. In this chart you start with two parents somewhere down your ancestral line (way back in history). Then you list the children and descendants of that couple down through the generations until the present time (usually ending with YOU!). This type of chart is a great way to make an outline for writing your family's ancestral history.
The other common family chart is the family lineage chart. This chart is very similar to the pedigree chart except for one difference: it includes the siblings of your parents and grandparents, etc. In other words it includes your aunts and uncles and great-aunts and great-uncles, etc. This chart allows you to see the big picture of your family's history instead of focusing in on only your parents and your direct bloodline. This chart is helpful in keeping your ancestral line organized and its a great way to discover about the relationships between members of your ancestry.
As you can see there are really only three different main types of family history charts. If you are brand new to genealogy, then the best place for you to start with the pedigree chart. Using this chart you are less likely to get "distracted" by researching other ancestors (however fascinating that may be!). The pedigree chart keeps you focused on the basics. Later you can branch out and try the other charts to help you broaden your ancestry research.
Go online and search for free printable family tree charts. Specifically search for a pedigree chart. Print it out and start on your family tree research today! Best wishes to you!
Jeff Kona is a genealogy and family history enthusiast and author of "Who's In Your Tree?". Click to learn more about examples of family trees. Follow Jeff on Twitter.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Jeff-thanks for the very detailed information on the different types of family trees. I have been wanting to tackle this project with my kids, but felt very intimidated. Thanks for sharing. Now to choose which one to do!Please log in to respond to this comment.Thanks for the comment Laura. I wish you the best of luck tackling this project with your kids. I am confident that your family will learn and grow as a result. Years down the road they will be very thankful for this!
You may also want to check out this article to help you build your family tree online (versus on paper).Please log in to respond to this comment.
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