The first person’s name in the tree is put on the left of the page, and each generation moves to the right. This format does not traditionally include siblings, aunts, or uncles, but only shows a person’s ancestors. If you find this to be the case, then consider building your family tree horizontally. If you are trying to go back more than two or three generations, your tree can become crowded. Be sure to line generations up on the same line, along with their spouses and cousins.

Each person in the tree has this basic format, moving up a level for older generations, and down for younger generations. Children with the same set of parents are identified by a bracket. A horizontal line is used to signify a marriage, with a line branching down from the marriage line to identify children. This means that, when building a tree, you’ll move up one level to note the starting person’s parents. A standard family tree layout tree builds vertically with each generation, and horizontally to note siblings within a generation.

So, it would make sense to start with her. For simplicity, let’s say that you want to research your mom’s side of the family. Or even a generation - for example, your grandparents, and all of their siblings. But it could also look at a couple - your parents, perhaps. Often, a family tree starts with one person.

Take your time, and don’t forget to have fun! That way, you’ll have an idea of which one you might want to start with. If all of this is new to you, we recommend that you take a look at the templates we’ve provided on this page. Not only can family tree be extensive, but they also come in a variety of layouts, which can be confusing when you first start a family-history project. But others can go back hundreds of years, and may include cousins and in-laws and marriages and divorces… You get the idea. Some family trees only go as far back as a person’s grandparents. What is a family tree? It’s a way of recording your family’s relations. You will also find some great family tree templates you can download for free. This article goes over what family trees can be used for, how to build them, and why. Whatever your reason for getting into your family history, knowing where to start can be tough. Whether you’re a history buff wanting to find connections to ancient times, an extrovert looking for conversation pieces at the next family gathering, or a yoga student trying to find your center, knowing your genealogy can be a tremendous value. Not only is it fun, but - no surprise here - the internet has also proven to be an amazing research tool! Building a family tree does more than help you explore your ancestry. Genealogy - aka, family history research - has surged in popularity in the last 20 years.

Interactive family tree template free