Why Build a Family Tree
Building a family tree is like completing a giant puzzle! You get to be a detective, looking for clues about your ancestors. Find out what kind of jobs they had, which places they traveled to, and what type of people they were. More than that, learning about your family heritage, origins, and experiences also creates a sense of pride and belonging.
Starting your ancestry research helps you better understand yourself. And by building a family tree, you’re making tangible proof that you’re part of something bigger.
5 Steps to Build a Family Tree
Starting our ancestry research can feel overwhelming, but building a family tree is not as complicated as you think! You don’t need piles of genealogy books and how-to guides that beat around the bush. You can easily begin your research right from the comfort of your home.
Step 1: Download a Free Family Tree Template
Get right into getting a family tree template if you don't want to make it from scratch. A family tree template is a blank canvas you can conveniently use to start drafting your family tree. Websites like Smartdraw, Creately, Canva, and FamilySearch have tons of free family tree templates you can use for your ancestral research!
Here’s an example of a template you can use from FamilySearch:
Step 2: Fill in what you already know
You can now begin filling out your blank canvas with your information. After all, your genealogy research starts with you. Information like your full name, birthdate, birthplace, religion, and schools you’ve attended.
Once you’re done, fill out the info about your family. Go as far as you can, from your parents to your grandparents to your aunts. You can use documents you have at home to make sure that the details are accurate.
Step 3: Talk to Family Members
This is the part where you add details to your existing tree. Talking to family members is a great way to obtain oral family history (just make sure to cross-check always!) as it gives more context to your ancestors’ details.
Also, ask for photographs, letters, old documents, and family crests they might have that can give more information about your ancestors. The information you get here can help fill the gaps in your tree.
Step 4: Search Free record collections
If you think there is more to your family history, you can always go on the web and access free record collections.
For example, if you’re trying to look for an ancestor’s immigration records or marriage certificate, or if you’re trying to find out which of your ancestors served in the military, you can access free websites like Findmypast, and MyHeritage and look for such records conveniently.
Don’t forget to keep track of your sources so you can get back to them when it’s time to review.
Step 5: Complete your family treeOnce you’re done gathering and checking information from your family members and online databases, you can finally put the puzzle pieces together!
Here you can:
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Clarify the connections and relationships between your family members.
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Add more accurate information that you might’ve discovered in the later part of your research.
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Highlight family members who played relevant roles in your family history.
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Attach scanned copies of photos and documents, like old letters and travel records, to add richness to the tree (and give it a cool detective vibe).
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Include a family crest if you’re able to find one to add a historical touch to your family tree.
And you’re done! All that’s left to do is print it out and display your family tree. You can also share it with your family members as a way to celebrate your family heritage.
Helpful Genealogy Tips
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Pick one ancestral line at a time
Don’t try to research all your ancestors at the same time. They’re not going anywhere! Focus on one line, say your father’s family, and build from there.
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Have a good research question
Your genealogy research question acts as the spotlight when you’re digging for historical information. It keeps you focused on finding the answers that you’re seeking so you can build a meaningful family tree faster.
For example, you mainly want to know where your roots came from and which places they moved to before they settled. Look into immigration records and ask relatives for photos that show landmarks or travel documents, like passports.
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Have fun
Whenever you’re knee-deep in ancestry research, you can lose the whole point of doing it in the first place: to learn more about your roots, not just to fill out the tree.
Along the ride, maybe you discover ancestors that are linked to famous celebrities or, better yet, became celebrities! Or maybe they were soldiers or poets or chefs who invented a famous local dish. Building a family tree can help you discover things that might just surprise you!
Family tree Quick-Start Checklist
Again, it’s so easy to build a family tree because you probably already have access to the information you need to get started.
Here’s a list of things you need for your genealogy research:
☐ Free Family Tree Template (or you can create your own)
☐ Documents (letters, awards, certificates, records) and photographs
☐ Genealogy websites that you can easily access for free
☐ Organized notes or folder for record keeping (it could be digital or physical)
☐ List of sources so you can track where you got each detail
Start Small, Discover Big
Building a family tree can be a fun and meaningful way to connect with your ancestors with the help. It’s also easier than ever with the help of modern tools, free websites, and valuable genealogy tips for beginners!
Getting into ancestry research is more than just learning the names of your ancestors. It’s also about getting the inside scoop on your family’s history and being part of it!
So, start building your family tree to discover amazing ancestors, family stories (maybe even a few secrets), unique family recipes, and experiences that eventually led to you.