How to Create a Family Tree?
A Family Tree or a sample genogram is an illustrative representation of a family's familial roots. It starts from the top of the tree (with the ancestors occupying the top) down to the bottom (newer generations). Pictures of each family member are also placed above their names. Family trees are often keys to understanding where someone is from and perhaps to where they are headed. Both genealogy enthusiasts and interested individuals will enjoy the thrill in discovering a whole generation of siblings and families intertwined by history through the use of a simple family tree.
Inherited diseases are also discovered through family trees as well as other inherited genetic makeup. This would help explain why individuals are the way they are and how they may be inclined to be in the future.
The family tree establishes your lineage. Lineage is especially important when talking about inheritance and rights to the property. By law, the next of kin always gets the benefit of the doubt of any claim to rights.
There are countless reasons why you should create your family tree. Here are the tips on how to create one:
1. Gather Information
The first step in creating your printable family tree is to gather information as much as you can. Contact your relatives and grandparents regarding your lineage. Contact as many relatives as you can because one source will not be sufficient if you are planning on presenting several generations back.
2. Start With a Draft
Once you have garnered enough information for your sample family tree, start your draft. Prepare a blank paper and a pencil to begin with. Give room for mistakes. Also, double-check if you haven't left someone out.
3. Decide on Whether You Want to Start From the Top or the Bottom
Your ancestors will occupy the topmost part of the tree, then followed by the newer generations as it goes the way down. When creating your draft, choose which method is convenient for you. Ensure that the flow and outline are easy for the reader's eyes.
4. Decide If Pictures Are Necessary
Pictures help add identity to your ancestors and living family members. If you can provide photos of your ancestors, then you might as well present images for everyone as well for a uniform visual. If you are using specialized software like Adobe Photoshop or Apple Pages for creating your family tree, make sure that the pictures' sizes are identical for symmetrical balance. Don't forget their names too!
5. Review and Share
Once you are done with the finalized version of your family tree, don't forget to review it. Review if the names are in their designated positions. Don't forget to check if you got their name spellings right. Once it's polished, share the diagram to your relatives through a simple family tree presentation or a sharing software.
More often than not, traditions and stories are passed down from one generation to the other through the family tree. Through the stories, generations are being connected and stories remembered just by watching the family tree. Don’t let traditions end and stories be forgotten.
What is a Genogram?
It is a visual representation of an individual’s family relations and medical history. It is a step ahead of the conventional family tree model as it allows space to hereditary concepts and psychological facts that establish the connection. Genogram was invented in the 1970s by Murray Bowen.
What Does a Family Tree Symbolize?
A family tree represents an individual’s family and relationships among the members from ancestral times to the present date. It symbolizes the continuity and connection between the individual, their parents, grandparents, and children using intricate networks of branches.
What is the Importance of a Family Tree?
Family trees help to study and understand an individual’s ancestors and familial patterns. It also tells about the rights of inheritance and the right to property to an individual. Thus such an established connection is helpful in proving or disproving vital judicial questions.
What are the Types of Families?
- Nuclear Family- It is of short family size, also called elementary family or conjugal family, consists of two parents and one or more children.
- Extended Family- Opposite to nuclear family, an extended family consists of everyone who lives in the same household. Like mother, father, their children, grandparents, cousins, etc.
What are the Components of a Family Tree?
A family tree is always based on a subject; thus, to make it, the following component is essential:
- Proband or subject
- Father of an individual
- Mother of an individual
- Paternal grandfather
- Paternal grandmother
- Maternal grandfather
- Maternal grandmother