Diagram of a Family Tree

Family Tree Detectives

Are you looking for a diagram of a family tree? It's a great place to start documenting your family heritage. Fortunately, there are many places on the Internet where you can download a family tree, often for free. If you've been in genealogy for a while, you know all about the wide variety of family tree software that's available for genealogists. Specialty genealogical software usually comes with family tree templates, diagrams and charts already included.

Diagram of a Family Tree

If you're looking for just the diagram to download, here's a helpful list of places to start your family tree project on the Internet:

  • Wiki Tree offers a printable family tree diagram.
  • Ancestry offers a wide variety of helpful resources for the genealogist, including family trees. Ancestry.com offers a free trial.
  • The Tree Maker provides a five-generation blank diagram of a family tree genealogy chart. It's simple but elegant. It starts with a couple and then shows the genealogy of each individual. Around 25 inches by 22 inches in size, the diagram is very nice for a wall hanging or gift. The Tree Maker also offers customized genealogy charts and other heraldry products for a fee.
  • My Heritage offers a family tree program, using a rich and dynamic visual interface. Rather than using a diagram, you input your data and the tree is created for you in only a few minutes. Share it with your family for free.
  • Enchanted Learning has a variety of tree diagrams. A type of graphic organizer, the tree diagrams can be used for more than just family trees. They may be used for school or professional projects. Tree diagrams are used to sort items and classify them. A family tree is only one type of tree diagram. There is a subscription fee of $20 per year to join Enchanted Learning. You can make a semi-circular chart of your direct ancestors, or create tree projects for children.
  • Geno Pro has family tree software that produces a "genogram" to represent your family tree. It allows you to create a printable family tree chart right on your computer. "Genograms" include information about the number of marriages, children, birth order, age and death. It also includes relationships between individuals. There is unlimited availability for photos and it helps you create a CD ROM of family photographs. The software also has a built-in report creator which you can use to upload information to the Internet. A one-user license is $49, although you can download and try the product free.

Sources, Citations and Documentation

While it's one thing to create your family tree using the diagram, the most important thing to the genealogist is the accuracy of the information you put into the diagram. Some people find it very helpful to take an online class in sources, citations and documentations. There is a free class offered online. In this class, pay particular attention to section three that deals with primary and secondary sources:

  • A primary source is one that was created at or near the time of the actual event, such as a birth certificate, census record, death certificate or marriage certificate.
  • A secondary source includes most all books or Internet sources. You may also find free classes through your local library, historical and genealogical societies.

Sharing Your Family Tree

Most people want to share their family tree with friends, families and even the world, via Internet. Places to share you family tree include the following genealogy websites:

  • Ancestry.com
  • USGenweb.org
  • Cyndislist.com
  • Rootsweb.ancestry.com / Roots Web World Connect Project
  • Myheritage.com
  • Familychronicle.com
  • Gencircles.com
  • Genforum.genealogy.com
  • Familysearch.org (LDS website)

Finally, simply enjoy your tree and the information you've discovered. Many people say that uncovering their roots helps them to feel more in touch with "who I am." Getting children involved in a family tree project helps them to gain a deeper understanding of history, culture and heritage.