A blank family tree chart enables you to record the ancestors from whom you directly descend–those for whom you intend to compile a complete and correct family unit. It shows at a glance the progress you have made towards this goal and what remains to be done. Some people also consider this to be called a “pedigree chart.”
The following free family tree chart is very easy to fill in, just start with yourself and work your way backwards to your oldest known ancestor.
Download the printable Family Tree Chart which you will be able to fill in!
On this chart you can show relationships between multiple generations of a family and trace your ancestry by following back in time along a particular family line. The most common family tree chart displays five generations of family data on a single page. This chart only shows your ancestors-those people from whom you are descended by blood. You will notice there is no room on a family tree chart for siblings, multiple marriages, or social family connections. This information appears on the family group chart.
Begin at the left of the page with an individual (you or your child or parent), then branch out to the right to show parents, grandparents, etc., including dates and places of births, deaths and marriages. If you are the “subject” of the family tree chart (which is designated as Chart No. 1), you are assigned the number 1. Your father is No. 2, your mother is No. 3, your paternal grandfather is No. 4, and so on. Family tree charts usually have complete information on three generations of ancestors for an individual, with the names of the members of the fourth generation plus a reference to succeeding charts, where vital information on them is recorded.
This commonly used numbering system for pedigree charts is called an “ahnentafel” by genealogists, after the title of a book where it was first used. By looking at a chart you can see that the number for any individual’s father is 2 times that of the individual and that person’s mother’s number is 2 times plus 1. With the exception of No. 1, who can be either male or female, all even-numbered persons are males and all odd-numbered are females. The spouse of No. 1 is not assigned a number.