Is a 4-generation family tree suitable for school projects?

Yes, if the teacher has asked for four generations or great-grandparents. For most primary school projects that ask for 2–3 generations, the standard Blank Family Tree Template is a better fit as the boxes are larger and easier to fill in. Check the project instructions before choosing which template to print.

What information should I include on each box of the family tree?

At minimum, include each person's full name and date of birth. Adding date and place of death and marriage rounds out the record. For women, use their birth (maiden) surname rather than their married name. It is fine to leave boxes blank for ancestors you do not yet know — gaps are normal in any family tree.

Free 4-Generation Family Tree Template

Q: What is the difference between a 3-generation and 4-generation family tree?

A 3-generation family tree shows you, your parents, and your four grandparents — 7 people total. A 4-generation tree adds a row of great-grandparents, showing 15 people across four rows. The 4-generation template is slightly more compact to fit on A4 paper, so boxes are smaller and better suited to older children or adults writing in adult handwriting.

A clean printable family tree template showing four generations — you, your parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. Fill it in by hand. No account, no watermarks.

Format: Printable HTML (open in browser, print or save as PDF)
Size: A4 portrait (210 × 297 mm)
Orientation: Portrait
Generations: 4

Open & Print Free Template View Filled Example

How to Use This Template

Click the button above to open the template in your browser.
Print on A4 paper, or use File → Print → Save as PDF.
Start with yourself at the bottom of the chart.
Fill in your parents above, then your grandparents, then your great-grandparents at the top.
Use birth certificates, family records or genealogy sites to find older details.

About This Template

The 4-generation family tree template extends the standard portrait tree to include a row of great-grandparents — giving you four generations and up to 15 people on a single A4 sheet. It follows the same familiar top-down layout as a blank family tree: you at the base, parents above, grandparents next, and great-grandparents across the top row.

Adding the fourth generation is a significant step in family research. While most people can readily recall their grandparents' names, great-grandparents often require active research — birth records, marriage certificates, family bibles, or conversations with older relatives who still remember them. This template gives you a structured place to record what you discover as your research progresses.

The boxes on this template are slightly smaller than the 3-generation version to accommodate the extra row, making it best suited to adults or older children writing in smaller handwriting. If you need a larger template with fewer generations, the Blank Family Tree Template has bigger boxes and may be more appropriate for younger children.

Finding Your Great-Grandparents

Great-grandparents are typically the generation born between roughly 1890 and 1930. Good starting points for finding their details include:

Family members — grandparents and elderly relatives often know great-grandparent names and can describe them from living memory
Vital records — birth, marriage, and death certificates for your grandparents will often name their parents (your great-grandparents)
FamilySearch (familysearch.org) — free genealogy database with billions of historical records including Australian, UK, and US vital records
Trove (trove.nla.gov.au) — National Library of Australia's free database of digitised newspapers, which often contain birth, marriage, and death notices

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a 3-generation and 4-generation family tree?

A 3-generation tree shows you, your parents, and your four grandparents. A 4-generation tree adds a row of great-grandparents — 15 people in total. The boxes are slightly smaller to fit the extra row on A4 paper.

Is this template suitable for school projects?

Yes, for projects that specifically ask for great-grandparents or four generations. For most standard primary school projects, the Blank Family Tree is a better fit as the boxes are larger. Check the assignment instructions first.

What information should I include in each box?

Include full name, date and place of birth, and date of death if applicable. For women, always use their birth (maiden) surname. Leaving boxes blank is fine — gaps are a normal part of any family tree.