How to Fill Out A Genealogy Chart

Genealogy allows you to document your family history. Filling out a pedigree chart is a good way to organize the basic information on your family. The amount of information written down on a pedigree chart depends on the records that were preserved by your family through the generations.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pedigree chart

1. Download free pedigree charts from a genealogy website. Pick a chart that fits your needs. Charts are available that will allow you to fill in three to eight generations. Genealogy charts come in basic lined for each generation, a fan shape, and bowtie.

2. Fill out the chart with a pencil, beginning with yourself. The information typically includes name, date and place of birth, marriage date and place, death date and place, when applicable, and name of spouse. For women, write the maiden name, not the married name.

3. Fill in your parent's names and dates on the chart. In case of divorce or remarriage, there's blank space under the names to add this if you choose to. You could also fill out a separate genealogy chart for step-families.

4. Continue filling in the information for your grandparents and great grandparents until chart is filled. You can continue on separate pedigree charts if you have information on more generations of your family.

Resources

• Genealogy Charts in PDF
• Everton: Family History and Genealogy Course
• Ancestry Genealogy Charts
• Birmingham Public Library: Tips on Genealogical Research

[billips]

on 11/17/2009 It is really fun to fill out these charts and a great history to leave for your kids - 5* - B.