Blank family tree chart

This problem has been very nicely solved by Godridge’s of Coventry. Their 7 generation blank chart is nicely printed onto glossy paper with a green background in a semi-circular design which allows you to show your ancestors back to your 64 great-great-great-great grandparents!

The chart allows you to use Avery mini-labels, onto which you can write or print your family history details, so creating your unique family tree in a neat and attractive way.  After you have entered all your details, you can get the wall chart framed, and so create a great talking point for any family or visitors!

Godridges also have available paternal line family tree charts, twin line family tree charts (showing both paternal and maternal lines) and 4-generation family tree charts.

To find out how to order your blank family tree chart go to Godridges of Coventry.

Below is a very simple example of how a family tree chart is laid out:

Sample of part of a family tree from www.cradleylinks.com

How much information you include is up to you, but generally, the basic details are usually put underneath each name.

For example, here is what I would put on my own tree for my paternal grandfather:

Walter Bott
brn. 17/10/1884, Manchester
m. 6/10/1914, Isle of Man
d. 8/6/1949, Isle of Man

You will need to use abbreviations when setting out your information. There are no hard and fast rules about this, but you will need a basic understanding of them, and a consistent system for your own use. Here are a few basic examples to get you started:

Born - brn.
Baptised - bapt. or c. (christened)
Married - m. (it is common practice to put a =
between husband and wife on the family tree)
Died - d.
Buried - bur.

Another way of laying out information about your direct ancestry is the Pedigree Chart. This clearly shows your direct ancestors (parents, grand-parents etc) but does not show any siblings. Each generation is shown vertically, instead of horizontally.   Here is a template for this from http://www.toombs.public.lib.ga.us/So You Want to Grow a Family Tree.htm

Pedigree chart template

As I mentioned before, there are software programs you can buy for organizing and laying out your family tree.  The one I use is Family Tree Maker, but you can find many others by searching online, or finding reviews in family tree magazines.

I also recently came across this website: www.godridges.co.uk where you can buy nice presentation family tree wall charts which show 7 generations of your family.

Once you know how to draw a family tree, you can use the format for making notes when you are in archives and for working out family relationships.  You could also get really creative and draw your own big tree with illustrations!

Ros Bott