A genogram is a unique type of family research diagram. It not only records family members but also many of their physical and physiological attributes by utilizing an elaborate system of symbols. Girls are represented by circles and males by squares.

Typical Uses

Although this type of diagram can be quite complicated, it can include a multitude of information. For this reason it can be very helpful in determining an individual's probability of inheriting a certain characteristic or disease, or it can help others understand the cause of an individual's behavior by his or her past experiences.

Best Practices

• Start the chart. Determine what family or individual you wish to focus your genogram on. Decide who the farthest back person is that you wish to include and place him or her at the top of the diagram. Draw a line connected him or her to a spouse.
• Add to the chart. Add a line and connect each of the first couple's children. Then add more lines to show the spouses of each of the first couple's children. Then draw their children. Continue until all of the people you want on the genogram are there.
• Gather information. Depending on what type of information you want to focus on, learn about the people on your genogram, either by what you know, or by what friends, family, or the individual have told you.
• Add symbols. There are many symbols used to make genograms that can tell you almost anything from whether or not a person has had cancer to whether or not two siblings have been talking in the last five years. Use these symbols to detail each person's life. There are no doubt dozens of symbols you could add for each individual on your chart, but in order to make sure it doesn't get too crowded, choose to focus on a certain type of attribute, (i.e. illnesses, family relations, school habits, etc.)
• Make a legend. Although genogram symbols are easy to find and use, not everyone is highly familiar with them. By making a legend that has each of the symbols you used on your diagram you can ensure that anyone who looks at the diagram will be able to understand it.
• Use your chart. Genograms are highly useful graphs as they reveal a lot of information. Use your diagram to draw conclusions for yourself, share with family members, ask advice from doctors, or predict behavior in others, etc.