Start with what you already know

A family tree chart is a diagram that shows how people in your family are related to each other — parents, children, siblings, grandparents, and their spouses. You build it by writing down names, birth years, and the connections between them, then arranging those names on a page or screen so the relationships are clear at a glance.

Before you choose a tool or format, gather what you already have: old photos with names written on the back, birth certificates, marriage announcements, family Bible entries, or even text messages where relatives mentioned their parents or children. You do not need to be complete or perfect to start. A family tree that shows three generations correctly is more useful than one that tries to show ten generations with guesses.

Decide whether you want a chart you can print and hang on a wall, a digital file you can update later, or both. A printed chart is easier to share at a family gathering. A digital file is easier to add to over time and to back up alongside your other documents.

Key Takeaways

  • Start by writing down the names, birth years, and relationships you already know from family documents or conversations, without worrying about gaps.
  • A straightforward chart drawn on paper or in a spreadsheet works as well as specialized software and is easier to share with family members who are not tech-savvy.
  • Arrange names in rows by generation — grandparents at the top, then parents, then children — so the relationships are obvious without needing to read labels.
  • Save your chart as a PDF or image file so it stays the same when you share it, and keep a backup copy in your file storage system.
  • Ask relatives for information you are missing, and note where each fact came from so you know which details are confirmed and which are still uncertain.

Choose between paper, spreadsheet, or specialized software

The simplest approach is to draw a family tree on paper using a pencil. Write each person's name in a box, draw lines to show who is married to whom and who their children are, and arrange the boxes so parents are above their children. This takes an hour or two and requires no software. You can photograph the finished chart and save the image to your computer.

A spreadsheet like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets works well if you want something you can update without redrawing. Create columns for first name, last name, birth year, and relationship to you. Add a column for notes — where you found the information, or questions you still have. You can sort by generation or by last name, and you can print it as a table or rearrange the rows to create a visual chart.

Specialized software like Ancestry.com, FamilySearch, or Gramps (which is free) automates the drawing part — you enter names and relationships, and the software arranges them into a chart. These tools are useful if you have a large family or plan to add hundreds of names over time. For a first family tree of 20 to 50 people, they are often more complicated than you need.

Arrange names by generation from top to bottom

The clearest family trees put the oldest generation at the top and work downward. If you are drawing on paper, use a ruler and pencil to sketch lightly first. Put your grandparents in a row at the top, their children (your parents and aunts and uncles) in a row below, and your generation in a row below that.

Draw a horizontal line between spouses to show marriage. Draw a vertical line down from that line, then horizontal lines to each child. This creates a shape that is straightforward to follow with your eye. If a couple had children with different partners, draw separate lines for each partnership — this prevents confusion later when you add more detail.

In a spreadsheet, you can add a column called "Generation" and number them — 1 for grandparents, 2 for parents, 3 for your generation. Then sort by that column so all the same generation appears together. Leave blank rows between generations so the chart is easier to read when you print it.

Gather information from relatives and documents

Once you have a basic structure, fill in the gaps by asking relatives. Call or email aunts, uncles, and cousins and ask them for names, birth years, and the names of their children. Many people enjoy sharing this information and may have documents you do not — old letters, photos with dates, or records from a family reunion.

Check documents you have at home: birth certificates, marriage licenses, divorce papers, and death certificates all contain names and dates. Obituaries in old newspapers often list all surviving children and grandchildren. If your family came from another country, immigration records sometimes list the names of family members who stayed behind.

Write down where each piece of information came from. If you learned someone's birth year from their birth certificate, note that. If a cousin told you over the phone, note that too. This helps you remember which facts are confirmed and which are still uncertain — and it helps other family members trust your chart.

Handle remarriages and blended families clearly

If someone was married more than once, draw a separate line for each marriage. Write the spouse's name next to the line, or add a note with dates if space is tight. This prevents the chart from becoming confusing when one person has children with two different partners.

For blended families where a parent raised a child who was not biologically theirs, you have a choice: show only biological relationships, or add a note explaining the family structure. There is no single right way — it depends on what matters to your family. Talk to the people involved and ask how they want to be represented.

If you are using specialized software, these programs usually have options to show multiple marriages and to distinguish between biological and step-relationships. In a spreadsheet or hand-drawn chart, a straightforward note in a "Notes" column or at the bottom of the page works fine.

Save and back up your family tree

If you drew your tree on paper, photograph it with your phone or scan it with a scanner. Save the image as a PDF or JPG file and store it in the same folder where you keep other important family documents. Name the file clearly — "Family Tree 2024" or "Smith Family Tree" — so you can find it later.

If you created it in a spreadsheet, save it as both an Excel file (so you can edit it later) and as a PDF (so it looks the same when you share it). If you used specialized software, export your tree as a PDF or image file as well. This way you have a copy that does not depend on the software staying available or your account staying active.

Keep at least two copies of your family tree — one on your computer and one in cloud storage like Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox. This protects you if your computer fails or you accidentally delete the file. Update the file once a year when you learn new information, and save the new version with a date in the name — "Family Tree 2024" and "Family Tree 2025" — so you can go back to an earlier version if you need to.

Share your tree with family members

Once you have a draft, share it with relatives and ask them to check it for errors. People often catch mistakes you missed — a wrong birth year, a misspelled name, or a relationship you got backwards. They may also have information you do not and offer to fill in branches you have not researched yet.

Save a version as a PDF before you share it, so the layout does not change when someone opens it on a different device. You can email the PDF, print copies to hand out at a family gathering, or upload it to a shared folder that relatives can access. If you are concerned about privacy, you can create two versions — one with full names and dates for close family, and one with first names only for a wider audience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to include everyone, or can I just show my direct ancestors?

You can show whatever you want. A chart of just your direct ancestors — parents, grandparents, great-grandparents — is simpler and faster to create. A chart that includes siblings, cousins, and aunts and uncles is more complete but also more complex. Start with what matters to you, and expand later if you want to.

What if I do not know someone's birth year or exact date?

Write down the year you do know, or write "circa 1950" if you have only an approximate date. Add a note saying where the information came from and what you are still uncertain about. A family tree with some gaps is more useful than no family tree at all, and you can fill in the gaps as you learn more.

Can I use my family tree to learn about I am related to famous people?

A family tree shows you who your relatives are, but it does not automatically connect you to historical records or famous ancestors. If you want to research further back, you can use websites like FamilySearch or Ancestry.com, which have millions of historical documents. These sites charge a fee, but FamilySearch is free.

What should I do if relatives disagree about family history?

Write down what each person says and note who said it. If the disagreement is about something important — like whether two people were actually married, or who a child's biological parent was — ask if anyone has a document that settles it. Sometimes family stories change over time, and documents are the most reliable source.

How do I organize my family tree file with my other documents?

Create a folder called "Family" or "Genealogy" in your main documents folder, and save your family tree there alongside other family records like birth certificates, marriage licenses, and photos. Name the file clearly with the date, and keep old versions so you can see how your research has grown over time.