Family trees are a great way to trace or look into your family's lineage.
With a family
tree, you can see who your relatives and ancestors are, and you can even discover where
some of your features or traits came from.
Family Tree Definition & Meaning
A family tree is a type of diagram that shows the relationships between people within
several generations.
This means a family tree is used to showcase the ancestry and connections between
relatives.
What Is a Family Tree?
A family tree, also known as a pedigree chart or a genealogy, is a record used to trace
and record the lineage of a person. Families trees are used in many situations such as
the search for the history of a person's roots or discovering any medical issues within the
bloodline. Family trees are commonly depicted as fun drawings hung at home. The
diagram is depicted as starting from one person, to their parents, to the grandparents,
and so on which appears like a branch-like pattern hence the name.
10 Types of Family Tree
3 Generation Family Tree
Three's a crowd and so is three sets of generations. A 3 generation family tree lets you
create a diagram showcasing three generations of your family. This is typically used to
show the grandparents, parents, and children's generation.
Family Tree Layout
A family layout lets you create an aesthetically pleasing family tree design where you can
place your family members in order. These are the ones usually put on display in the
homes of families. If you want to make your own family tree layout, then take a look at
our options.
Family Genogram Family Tree
A family genogram lets you make a diagram that shows the relationships you have
between relatives. This type of family tree is useful for medical programs. It'll help
professionals determine family history in conditions physical or even mental.
4 Generation Family Tree
A 4-generation genogram is useful for exploring hereditary conditions that run through
the family for a long time. These are often made used by medical professionals to test
and confirm the results they get regarding a patient's medical history. The 4 generation
genogram options let you store more detail and information for data review.
3 Generations Genogram Family Tree
3 generations genograms like most genograms are ideal for looking at the medical
conditions of a family. It is generally used to confirm the biological relationships
between family members usually. That is why it is common to see these types of
genograms in clinics and hospitals.
Photo Family Tree
A photo family tree lets you make a family tree where you can add photos of your
members. From little Timmy to Grandma May, you can add their best photos to this
type of template. This is the kind of family tree best put on display in a framed picture.
Family Tree Outline
When you have a big family, it can be challenging to account for everyone. Making use of
a family tree outline can help you figure out who is who and ensure no one is left out.
You can trace and make a rough draft of your family tree using this template and it will
be convenient.
Large Family Tree
If you have a large family, it is helpful to include all of them in the family tree. Check out
our large family tree options right here. This will let you include everyone whether it is
your grandparents, cousins, aunt, uncles, etc.
Kid Friendly Family Tree
Does your kid need to make a family tree for school? Then Using our kid-friendly family
tree option, will be a breeze task. All your kid needs to do is add the names and relations
to the page.
Family Reunion Tree
A family reunion tree is used specifically to put on display during family reunion parties.
A family reunion tree for kids tree has more space to add extended family members.
Making use of this will surely get everyone thrilled to see and read through it.
Family Tree Uses, Purpose, Importance
Family trees have various uses besides being a pretty picture of a large family. It helps
establish family relationships for those who look at the family tree chart and lets
everyone know who is related to who. Here are other min uses for the family tree as
listed below.
To Give Historical Context
Knowing one's history is important. This is one of the reasons why a family tree is
important. It helps a person realize their own history from a familial aspect.
To Understand Medical History
Family tree's enable someone to determine their own health. They can analyze who else
in the family shares a common condition. It can help one predict their own health and
prevent sickness like diabetes or hypertension.
To Understand Mental Health History
Understanding one's mental health is a key to a satisfying life. One way to do it is to
trace any hereditary mental health conditions within the family. A family tree diagram is
a great way to start.
To Trace Lineage
It's fun to see how far your family goes. One us of the family tree is to trace one's genetic
lineage. It is a pleasant surprise to realize one' ancestor came from the other side of the
planet.
To Find Biological Relatives
A family tree is a great way to keep track of biological relatives. This is helpful for
someone to understand their own biology. this is especially true if one is raised in
another environment.
What’s in a Family Tree? Parts?
Names
The names of each family member should be present in the family tree so that readers
will get to know which person is a part of the family. Their full names must be written
including any suffixes to different family members who share the same names.
Birth & Death Dates
Adding the dates, preferably the years, to the family tree can help people figure out how
long each member was around. It must be placed underneath the names of the family
members.
Marriage Dates
For those who are a part of the family tree by marriage, it is recommended you add the
date or year of their marriage as well. This can help readers figure out at what point they
became a part of the genealogy.
Pictures
For official family charts, it is helpful to add photos of the family. This can help people
have a visual of each family member and recognize who is who.
Relationships
Adding details of each member's relationships with each other is extremely helpful for
those who wish to navigate an extensive family tree. It is also helpful to add details on
whether a member is biological, a married partner, or adopted into the family.
How to Design a Family Tree
1. Choose a Family Tree Size.
2. Decide the purpose of the family tree.
3. Select the Famly Tree Template.
4. Choose the layout and the visual aesthetic.
5. Add the images, names, and other details.
6. Finalize your content and download it.
Family Tree vs. Genealogy
A family tree refers to a diagram that shows and traces the descendants of one person
whether it be through marriages, biology, or adoption.
Genealogy is often used as an interchangeable word with the family tree but it also refers
to the study of family trees by tracing the DNA history and ethnicity.
What's the Difference Between a Family Tree,
Genogram, & Generation
A family tree is a diagram that traces the descendants and relatives of one person. Its
design has a branch-out pattern from one family member to another which explains why
it is called a tree.
A genogram is a chart that is used to display a person's family relationships. It is
commonly used in medical work and hospital reports to trace the medical history or
even psychological issues within a family.
A generation refers to a collective of people who are born at the same time/era. In
familial terms, it refers to a set/order of family members who are born around the same
time.
Family Tree Sizes
Family tree sizes can be customizable since it is used for many things from social
gatherings, to school projects, or even medical reports. The commonly used sizes for a
family tree include 22 inches by 44 inches, 11 inches by 14 inches, and 60 inches by 78
inches.
Family Tree Ideas & Examples
There are various to depict a family tree. You might want to make a magazine article for
a family with a long line of fame, a fictional family in a book, or trace the legacy of a
family who started a company. Check out some family tree ideas for your reference.
● Family Tree Ideas and Examples
● School Project Family Tree Ideas and Examples
● Kids Family Tree Ideas and Examples
● Portfolio Family Tree Ideas and Examples
● Clipart Family Tree Ideas and Examples
● Wall Family Tree Ideas and Examples
● Cousins Family Tree Ideas and Examples
● Aesthetic Family Tree Ideas and Examples
● Unique Family Tree Ideas and Examples
● Crafts Family Tree Ideas and Examples
FAQs
What makes a family tree?
A family tree is made by tracing a person's ancestry/descendants and making use of a
branching pattern that extends from relatives in the previous generation or the next.
What is a nuclear family tree?
A nuclear family tree refers to the nuclear family unit which is composed of the mother,
father, and children.
What is a family tree diagram?
A family tree diagram is a visual aid that presents and traces the familial relationships of
a person starting from their children and their descendants.
What are the other terms for a family tree?
The other terms for the family tree include genealogy, ancestry, genealogy, pedigree, and
lineage.
Who should be on a family tree?
Direct relatives with one degree of relation such as parents, children, and spouses
should be in the family tree, followed by extended families like grandparents or cousins.
Who should you include in a family tree?
You should include your direct relatives such as your parents, siblings, spouse, or
children, and make note if they are your relatives through adoption or by blood.
What does a family tree for kids look like?
A family tree for kids stereotypically looks like an actual tree-drawing with their family
members presented at the branches, to help them visualize and understand the concept
of familial connections.
What is a medical family tree?
A medical family tree or a genogram is a type of chart that displays the familial
relationships of a patient to trace their medical history for any hereditary issues.
What are the relationships in a family tree?
Relationships in a family tree include parents, marriage partners, children, and cousins.
What is the order of a family tree?
A family tree typically starts with one person and from there traces down to their
children, descendants, and so on.