Easy Tips for Building Your Family Tree

Creating a family tree can help to remind you of who you are and where you came from. It doesn’t take long to build a family tree and you can display it in your home or add it to a scrapbook. Family trees are a wonderful way to get in touch with your ancestors and to learn more about yourself. If you would like to build a family tree, here are some tips that will help you get started:

Tip # 1 – Do your research

Before you can start writing down names and dates on your family tree, you need to take some time to do your research. You need to make sure you have all of the correct information so you can make a nice family tree. Use FamilySearch.org to research your loved ones and to obtain the correct dates and spellings of their names. You can also start by talking to your loved ones that have already done some research for you. Chances are you have at least one family member that has done some work pertaining to your genealogy and you will be able to easily get the correct information you need for your family tree.

Tip # 2 – How big do you want your family tree to be?

Your family tree can go on for pages and pages. Before you start writing down names you need to make a list as to how big you would like your family tree to be. Once you have a list, gather up all the name and information for the tree and then you can start listing this information in the family tree. Having a large family tree means you will need larger sheets of paper to use or you will want to create a small scrapbook of information so you don’t miss out on the information of some of your relatives.

Tip # 3 – Personal information and pictures

While you may have seen family trees that are nothing more than a pedigree chart with some names and dates, you should consider taking it one step further and add some pictures of your relatives along with some personal information. Add a hobby that each person enjoyed or share a short story about this person. This will make your family tree a little more personal to you and it will be easier to pass it on down throughout the generations. Where can you find out personal information about relatives that have passed on? The best place to start is with your living relatives. Perhaps you have great-grandparents that are still alive, they always love to share stories and you should contact them for pictures and information about the relatives they remember that have passed on that you have never met.

Tip # 4 – Get creative

How do you want to display your family tree? Some people want to include it in a scrapbook so a simple sheet of paper with pictures and information is usually all you need. Other people like to display the actual family tree in their homes where they can share stories of their loved ones with all their guests that come by. Instead of sticking to a simple white piece of paper with names and charts, why not mix it up and make an attractive family tree that your loved ones can be proud of? Consider turning it into a craft and have your children decorate the page where you plan to include the names of your ancestors. Not only will this make your family tree stand out, it will also provide you and your children with a great memory that they will cherish when they look upon their scrapbook.