How to Make a Family Tree

Making a family tree is one of the most rewarding projects you can start — and it is easier than most people think. You do not need special software or a subscription service. A pen, a printed template, and a few hours of conversation with relatives can take you further than you expect.

What you need to get started

You do not need much to begin. A printed family tree template or a blank notebook works perfectly for most people. You will also want to gather any family documents you can find — birth certificates, marriage certificates, old photos, letters, and passports are all useful starting points.

If you prefer to work digitally, a spreadsheet or word processor works fine for notes. A printed template is still useful alongside any digital work, because it gives you a visual overview you can put on a wall or share at a family gathering.

Step 1: Gather what you already know

Start with yourself. Write down your full name, date of birth, and birthplace. Then move on to your parents — their full names (including maiden names for women), dates of birth, marriage and death if applicable, and where they were born.

Do the same for your grandparents and any other relatives you know about. Do not worry if details are incomplete at this stage. The goal is simply to capture what you already carry in your memory before it fades.

Keep your notes organised from the beginning. Use a separate page or section for each family unit (a couple and their children) and note which details you are confident about versus which are estimates or secondhand accounts.

Step 2: Talk to family members

The most valuable source of genealogical information is often living relatives. Older family members in particular may know names, places, and stories that exist nowhere else.

Arrange a conversation — in person, over the phone, or via video call — and come prepared with questions. Ask about full names (including nicknames and alternative spellings), places of birth and migration, occupations, significant dates, and family stories. Take notes or, with permission, record the conversation.

Look through any old photographs together. Photos often have names written on the back, or relatives can identify people you would not otherwise recognise. Family bibles, old letters, diaries, and immigration documents are also worth tracking down.

Step 3: Choose a format

There are several standard formats for family trees, each suited to different purposes:

• Blank family tree (portrait) — shows the tree top-down or bottom-up, with you at the base and ancestors above. Good for showing 3–4 generations at a glance. Best for display purposes.
• Pedigree chart (landscape) — shows direct ancestors only, arranged left-to-right with you on the left and your most distant known ancestors on the right. Standard format used by genealogists. Excellent for research tracking.
• Family group sheet — records one family unit in detail (parents and children). Best used alongside a pedigree chart to capture full information.
• Genogram — a specialised diagram using standardised symbols to show relationships, health history, and family patterns. Used in medicine, psychology, and social work.

For most people starting out, a blank family tree or pedigree chart is the right choice. You can always add more detail later using family group sheets.

Step 4: Download and print a template

All of the templates on this site are free to download — no account required. Open a template in your browser and print it directly, or save it as a PDF. Each template is formatted for A4 paper.

Available templates include:

• Blank Family Tree Template — 3 generations, portrait A4
• 4-Generation Family Tree Template — portrait A4
• 3-Generation Pedigree Chart — landscape A4
• 4-Generation Pedigree Chart — landscape A4
• 5-Generation Pedigree Chart — landscape A4
• Family Group Sheet — portrait A4
• Genealogy Research Log — portrait A4
• Individual Research Worksheet — portrait A4
• Cousin Relationship Chart — reference, portrait A4
• Family Relationship Chart — reference, portrait A4
• Genogram Template — blank with legend, portrait A4

Step 5: Fill in what you know — leave gaps

Once you have a printed template, start filling in the information you have gathered. Work outward from yourself — fill in what you know confidently first, then add what you are less sure about with a question mark or a note indicating the source.

It is completely fine — and very normal — to have gaps. Most people have incomplete records beyond two or three generations. Blank spaces are not failures; they are invitations to research further. A family tree with gaps is far more useful than one with guesses presented as facts.

Step 6: Research further

Once your initial template is filled in, you can start researching to fill the gaps. There are several excellent starting points:

• Vital records — births, deaths, and marriages are recorded by government agencies. In Australia, these are held by state and territory registries. Many older records are now digitised and available online.
• Census records — historical censuses list households with names, ages, and relationships. Australian census records are not public, but UK, US, and Irish census records are widely available online.
• FamilySearch — a free genealogy database maintained by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It contains billions of historical records and family trees contributed by users worldwide.
• Local libraries and genealogy societies — many libraries hold local newspaper archives, electoral rolls, and other records not available online. Genealogical societies often have volunteers who can help with regional research. In Australia, Trove (National Library of Australia) provides free access to digitised newspapers, photographs, and historical records.
• DNA testing — consumer DNA tests from services like AncestryDNA or 23andMe can identify genetic relatives who may have done research on shared family lines.
• National Archives — National Archives of Australia, The National Archives (UK), and National Archives (US) hold immigration, military, and citizenship records not available through commercial platforms.

Use your Research Log to track every source you check — whether or not you find anything. Recording negative results saves you from searching the same sources twice.

Step 7: Expand over time

Family trees are never truly finished. New relatives are discovered, new records become available, and living family members share details they had forgotten. The goal is not to complete the tree but to keep it growing.

As your tree grows, you may want to move to additional formats — a separate pedigree chart for each surname line, for example, or individual research worksheets for the ancestors you are actively researching. Keep your printed templates organised in a binder alongside your source documents.

Sharing your work with family members often leads to new contributions. A printed family tree at a reunion or shared digitally via email can prompt relatives to reach out with information, photographs, and corrections you would never have found on your own.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I start making a family tree?

Start with yourself. Write down your full name, date of birth, and birthplace, then move to your parents and grandparents. Use what you already know, then fill gaps by talking to family members and researching vital records.

What is the best free family tree template?

The best template depends on your goal. For a simple visual overview, a blank portrait family tree is easiest to fill in. For genealogy research, a pedigree chart is the standard format. All templates on FamilyTreeMaker.app are free to download and print with no account required.

How do I research my family history for free?

Start with FamilySearch, a free genealogy database with billions of historical records. Also check your national or state archives for vital records (births, deaths, marriages), census records, and electoral rolls. For Australia, Trove provides free access to digitised newspapers and historical records.