Family trees are visual tools designed to display an individual’s ancestry and family history, tracing their lineage across generations.
Creating a family tree diagram allows you to explore your heritage, discover new insights about your past, and strengthen your connection to your family roots.
In this post, you’ll learn how to make a family tree chart step-by-step, see examples from Venngage, and discover how to use our Family Tree Maker for an effortless creation process.
If you’re eager to start but unsure how, explore our range of customizable family tree templates to kick off your journey with ease and precision.
Click to jump ahead:
- What is a family tree?
- Benefits of creating a family tree
- Types of family tree diagrams
- 4 steps to make a family tree diagram
- 5 family tree examples
- FAQs about family tree diagrams
What is a family tree?
A family tree is a diagram that maps out an individual’s lineage, illustrating their ancestors and the generations that have contributed to their family history over time. Typically structured with the individual as the “root” and ancestors branching out, a family tree helps visualize relationships and trace family connections. These diagrams can vary in form, from vertical and horizontal layouts to circular charts, each showing the complexity and depth of one’s heritage.
Here is an example:
Based on its name, a family tree is structured like a tree, with the individual as the ‘root’ and their parents, grandparents, and ancestors making up the ‘leaves’ one level at a time.
In a family tree chart, lines are used to connect family members and portray their relationships. Each family member is represented by a shape like a box or a circle with usually their photo inside.
Benefits of creating a family tree
There are many reasons why making a family tree can be beneficial:
- Connect with your family history: A family tree helps you visualize your ancestry and understand your roots.
- Preserve your family’s legacy: Recording family stories and historical connections ensures they are passed down to future generations.
- Identify genetic traits: Family trees can reveal genetic patterns or health traits that run in the family.
- Relate your story to historical events: Discover how your family’s timeline intersects with important historical milestones.
Types of family tree diagrams
Different types of family tree charts suit various purposes:
- Vertical family tree chart: The most common structure with the root at the bottom, branching upwards.
- Horizontal family tree diagram: A side-to-side layout, ideal for showing detailed ancestral information.
- Circular family tree chart: Expands outward in a circular pattern, showcasing more generations.
- Fan chart: A unique format spreading out in a fan shape, useful for compact visual representation.
4 steps to make a family tree diagram
To start creating your family tree diagram, simply follow these steps:
Step 1: Research and prepare information
The first thing you need to do before you start drawing your family tree is to gather information about your family. You can check official birth records and DNA test results or simply talk to a relative or any member of your family who has knowledge about your ancestry.
The first thing you need to do before you start drawing your family tree is to gather information about your family. In addition to checking official birth records and conversing with relatives knowledgeable about your ancestry, considering DNA testing can provide profound insights. For those of Asian descent, you can discover your Asian heritage with these DNA tests, offering a detailed exploration of your ancestral roots.
Depending on how much information you will be able to acquire, it should help you determine how big and how detailed you want your family tree to be. Decide on how many generations you want to include and what information you will display for each family member, such as maiden name, year of birth, and role in the family.
Step 2: Draft your family tree drawing
To draw your family tree, start with a box representing yourself or the ancestor you want to begin with. Family trees can be diagrammed either from the top, bottom or horizontally as long as the root will always be yourself.
Here is an example of a family tree that’s drawn horizontally:
Add more boxes until all your family members have been included. Instead of drawing by hand, save time by using an intuitive design tool like Venngage’s Family Tree Maker to create your family tree. It is specifically made for both designers and non-designers alike so it is extremely easy to use.
Venngage’s Family Tree Maker can help you better visualize your family tree through its user-friendly editor with drag-and-drop features. It allows you to change and connect shapes, add labels, and edit colors and other design elements in a matter of seconds.
Venngage also has dozens of free diagrams and templates that you can customize to make the process even faster and easier.
Step 3: Label the leaves of the tree
Most family trees usually outline up to four generations only to make them easier to understand. That said, make sure that family members and their relationships with each other are clearly illustrated by labeling each box or ‘leaf’ correctly.
Indicate names and roles and any additional information you think may be relevant. Use lines to display relationships between spouses and connect parents with direct descendants like children and grandchildren.
Step 4: Design your family tree diagram
Now, this is the part where you enhance and finalize your family tree. Use family photos to add faces to the people you are trying to introduce with your tree. Color-coordinate shapes, lines, or labels to group generations, differentiate deceased from living relatives, and create a distinction between different relationships.
To make your family tree more attractive and engaging, you can design it with icons, graphics, illustrations, or backgrounds – all of which are provided for free in Venngage’s library. You can also make use of a family tree software to streamline research and access to valuable resources.
Venngage also has a business feature called My Brand Kit that enables you to add your company’s logo, color palette, and fonts to all your designs with a single click.
For example, you can make a family tree diagram template reflect your brand design by uploading your brand logo, fonts, and color palette using Venngage’s branding feature.
Not only are Venngage templates free to use and professionally designed, but they are also tailored for various use cases and industries to fit your exact needs and requirements.
A business account also includes the real-time collaboration feature, so you can invite members of your team to work simultaneously on a project.
Venngage allows you to share your family tree online as well as download it as a PNG or PDF file. That way, your design will always be presentation-ready.
5 Family Tree examples
Here are some family tree examples for inspiration that you can use to create a family tree:
1. Simple family tree
This simple family tree template has a distinguishable tree-like shape and features such as branches and colors. It is editable in Microsoft Excel and Word.
2. Ancestry family tree
If you want a unique and more effectively illustrated family tree, this is the template you’re looking for. It has a horizontal layout with the starting point placed in the middle and extending to the left and right to better display ancestors from both sides of the family:
3. Blank family tree
For a more organized and unified family tree, this template is what you should use. It focuses on the structure of the tree and the arrangement of its parts through clearly defined connections and allotting only small spaces for each family member:
4. Graphic family tree
Here’s a template that you can use if you want to represent family members with icons or graphic illustrations instead of photos. It also uses roles as labels instead of names, which is more effective at portraying relationships.
5. Four generation family tree
Last but not least, here’s a perfect example of a family tree that depicts four generations of family members. If you want your family tree diagram to focus on distant relatives instead of immediate family members, then this template will come in handy:
What is the history of making family tree diagrams?
Genealogy or the study of families was the earliest form and application of family trees.
Historically, in Western civilizations, family trees, also known as genealogy charts, were used to depict the ancestry of kings and nobles and verify their claims to royalty and power.
Family trees were maintained for years on end. The family tree of Confucius, for example, is already 2,500 years old and is recorded as the world’s largest family tree with 2 million known descendants.
Today, a genealogy chart is no longer just for aristocrats and important people, but for everyone to record their family history and maintain their family tree.
Should you create a family tree?
If you would like to know more about your family or you want to start recording your family history, then you should definitely make your own family tree.
It is also a great way to find out how your family story relates to important historical events.
More importantly, a family tree can help you identify genetic traits and conditions that run in your family. These are often referred to as genograms.
Related: 10+ Genogram Examples (and How to Create Them)
FAQs about family tree diagrams
How can you make a family tree diagram with Venngage?
Venngage’s Family Tree Maker lets you create a family tree diagram in 4 simple steps:
- Sign up to create an account and use the Family Tree Maker for free
- Choose a free template from Venngage’s Templates library
- Edit the template to create new shapes, reconnect the lines, add labels, and upload your own images or choose free stock photos and graphics from our library
- Download your family tree as a PDF or PNG file or share it online with your family and friends
Is there a template for a family tree?
Yes, There are many family tree templates available online. However, using Venngage’s templates means you can also use the smart editor for free and not have to download or purchase a graphic design software just to edit a template. Venngage also offers a Genogram Maker.
How do you start a family tree online?
You can use a variety of online design platforms and software to create a family tree but they may require you to purchase plans and templates. Fortunately, Venngage is a freemium tool and has free templates to help you create a family tree without any restrictions.
What program do you use to make a family tree?
When it comes to creating a family tree, you have plenty of options including traditional tools like Microsoft Word or PowerPoint. Check out this blog for the top family tree software picks.
However, if you’re looking for a user-friendly and visually appealing experience, consider Venngage! Venngage provides customizable family tree templates, allowing you to personalize and showcase your family connections with ease. The easy-to-use interface simplifies the process, making it easy for anyone to create a unique and engaging family tree.
Visualize family relationships with Venngage’s Family Tree Maker.
Making a family tree diagram can help you learn about your family history and understand the connections between family members. Use Venngage’s Family Tree Maker to create a well-defined family tree.
