On
this chart you can show relationships
between multiple generations of a family and
trace your ancestry by following back in
time along a particular family line. The
most common family tree chart displays five
generations of family data on a single page.
This chart only shows your ancestors-those
people from whom you are descended by blood.
You will notice there is no room on a family
tree chart for siblings, multiple marriages,
or social family connections. This
information appears on the
family group chart.
Begin at the left of the page with an
individual (you or your child or parent),
then branch out to the right to show
parents, grandparents, etc., including dates
and places of births, deaths and marriages.
If you are the "subject" of the family tree
chart (which is designated as Chart No. 1),
you are assigned the number 1. Your father
is No. 2, your mother is No. 3, your
paternal grandfather is No. 4, and so on.
Family tree charts usually have complete
information on three generations of
ancestors for an individual, with the names
of the members of the fourth generation plus
a reference to succeeding charts, where
vital information on them is recorded.
This commonly used numbering system for
pedigree charts is called an "ahnentafel" by
genealogists, after the title of a book
where it was first used. By looking at a
chart you can see that the number for any
individual's father is 2 times that of the
individual and that person's mother's number
is 2 times plus 1. With the exception of No.
1, who can be either male or female, all
even-numbered persons are males and all
odd-numbered are females. The spouse of No.
1 is not assigned a number.
