PEDIGREE CHARTS

Filling Out Pedigree Charts

On the left side of a Pedigree Chart, there is one central horizontal line. This line is for the name of the person whose lineage is being traced. When tracing a spouse's or the children's lines, their name would go here. We call this line # 1.

Entering Names of Parents

Everyone has two natural parents,whether or not the parent names are known. The names of the two natural parents of the person or persons on line #1 are placed on the first two lines branching out to the right. The top line is for the father, and the bottom line is for the mother. Only one name goes on each line. This pattern continues across the chart, the number of ancestors doubling with each generation. The first and middle name are in mostly lower-case, however the SURNAMES ARE IN ALL CAPITALS. Women are always listed with their maiden surnames. The woman's surname is also written in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS.

Detailing Pedigree Charts

Once names have been entered on the Pedigree Chart, it is a good idea to add a few details about that person to help identify him or her. The time period and location in which he or she lived can help distinguish the persons from others with the same name.

A space is provided on most of the common Pedigree Chart forms for Birth, Marriage, and Death under each name. Both the date of the event and the place should be entered as soon as accurate information is obtained. Remember to continue using a pencil until the documents are in hand to prove dates and places. If a computer program is used, it can be edited a lot easier than ink on a page.

If not sure of the date, approximate time periods can be entered. Check all the dates for the same generation. If the dates are all within 50 years of each other, they are more likely to be an accurate approximation.

When filled out, the Pedigree Chart makes a Basic ANCESTRAL family tree, to which you can continue to add names.

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Return to:

• Using Pedigree Charts
• Filling Out Pedigree Charts
• Family Group Sheets
• Collecting Family Documents
• Documents at Home
• Table of Contents

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This website written and designed by:
Sharon Marie Centanne,
Genealogy Research Instructor and Internet Trainer
Please direct any questions to:
Sharon.

This page updated May 2, 2008

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