Color-coordinate shapes, lines, or labels to group generations, differentiate deceased from living relatives, and create a distinction between different relationships. Use family photos to add faces to the people you are trying to introduce with your tree.

Now, this is the part where you enhance and finalize your family tree. Use lines to display relationships between spouses and connect parents with direct descendants like children and grandchildren. Indicate names and roles and any additional information you think may be relevant. That said, make sure that family members and their relationships with each other are clearly illustrated by labeling each box or ‘leaf’ correctly. Most family trees usually outline up to four generations only to make them easier to understand. Venngage also has dozens of free diagrams and templates that you can customize to make the process even faster and easier. It allows you to change and connect shapes, add labels, and edit colors and other design elements in a matter of seconds. Venngage’s Family Tree Maker can help you better visualize your family tree through its user-friendly editor with drag-and-drop features. It is specifically made for both designers and non-designers alike so it is extremely easy to use. Instead of drawing by hand, save time by using an intuitive design tool like Venngage’s Family Tree Maker to create your family tree. Here is an example of a family tree that’s drawn horizontally:Īdd more boxes until all your family members have been included. Family trees can be diagrammed either from the top, bottom or horizontally as long as the root will always be yourself. To draw your family tree, start with a box representing yourself or the ancestor you want to begin with. Decide on how many generations you want to include and what information you will display for each family member, such as maiden name, year of birth, and role in the family. You can check official birth records and DNA test results or simply talk to a relative or any member of your family who has knowledge about your ancestry.ĭepending on how much information you will be able to acquire, it should help you determine how big and how detailed you want your family tree to be. The first thing you need to do before you start drawing your family tree is to gather information about your family. To start creating your family tree diagram, simply follow these steps: Step 1: Research and prepare information Related: 10+ Genogram Examples (and How to Create Them) 4 steps to make a family tree diagram These are often referred to as genograms. More importantly, a family tree can help you identify genetic traits and conditions that run in your family. It is also a great way to find out how your family story relates to important historical events. If you would like to know more about your family or you want to start recording your family history, then you should definitely make your own family tree. Today, a genealogy chart is no longer just for aristocrats and important people, but for everyone to record their family history and maintain their family tree. The family tree of Confucius, for example, is already 2,500 years old and is recorded as the world’s largest family tree with 2 million known descendants. Historically, in Western civilizations, family trees, also known as genealogy charts, were used to depict the ancestry of kings and nobles and verify their claims to royalty and power.įamily trees were maintained for years on end. Genealogy or the study of families was the earliest form and application of family trees. What is the history of making family tree diagrams? Each family member is represented by a shape like a box or a circle with usually their photo inside. In a family tree chart, lines are used to connect family members and portray their relationships. Based on its name, a family tree is structured like a tree, with the individual as the ‘root’ and their parents, grandparents, and ancestors making up the ‘leaves’ one level at a time.

My family tree and me