A family tree is the most common form of documenting one's ancestors. It is simplistic but also visually appealing. Whether they do or not, they give a good of summary of one's family and can show as a simple overview, what ancestors you've found and which you still need to search for.

Typical Uses

Family trees give an excellent visual of one's family and can be used in many ways. Although they do record genealogical information they can also be framed and hung in one's home, or filled out by young children to help them understand the importance of family.

Best Practices

• Start the chart. Decide what orientation you want for the tree. The most common is to start at the bottom of the page and work up toward the top. Other choices are top to bottom, left to right and right to left.
• Labeling. Choose how you would like to label your family tree. You may choose to utilize the leaves and branches by placing names in them or you may prefer to use lines or boxes to hold your family member's names. Whichever you choose, you should leave room for the primary individual at the bottom of the tree trunk, his or her parents on the lower branches, and then all other ancestors in the leaves and branches above them.
• Choose a primary individual. Decide who it is that you are making the tree for. Place his or her name on the trunk or on the first line or box.
• Add ancestors. Now place the names of the primary individual's ancestors on the leaves, branches, boxes, or lines above that.
• Share your chart. Be sure to share the information you find about your ancestors with other family members and continue to add to it until it is complete. This type of diagram is especially useful when sharing with others because it is visually appealing and will generate interest in one's family.