How to Arrange Relatives on a Family Tree

Family trees can be simple line charts or beautiful works of art that show, in a single glance, the generations that came before you. Family trees are typically arranged with the youngest generation at the bottom, and older generations branching out to the top the way a tree grows. Make a family tree to remember and honor your ancestors.

• 1

  Find a family tree chart. There are many free charts you can download from the Internet or purchase at hobby stores.

• 2

  Write your name or the name of the person for whom you are making the family tree in the first generation space. This single space is located on the bottom of the tree.

• 3

  Above your name there should be two spots across from each other. Write your father's name on the left and your mother's name on the right.

• 4

  Write your grandparent's names in the next generation spots, keeping paternal lines going to the left and maternal lines going to the right. Continue for the next generation until you have filled out the family tree. A typical family tree chart extends four or five generations, but they can also be much larger.