Filling in Your Blank Family Tree
Filling in Your Blank Family Tree (Part I)
We all want to know where we come from and who are ancestors
were. But many of us have yet to get past staring at a
blank family tree. How can we fill in the blanks? How can we
become connected to our ancestors? As you begin your
family history research, the answers to these pressing
questions will become clearer. Whether you're working with a
four generation pedigree chart or a more artistic family tree
drawing, information is key to your search. In this first of two
articles, we'll start at the beginning and work backwards to
fill in a family tree, and learn a little about organizing our
information. In the second article, we'll push even further
backward in time and learn more about our ancestors.
The Beginning: A Blank Family Tree
Although staring at a blank family tree might seem
disheartening, it's actually an excellent place to begin your
genealogical research. Strange as it sounds, genealogical
research begins at the end--with you. Put your full name on the
first line of your first blank family tree. Use maiden names for
all women. Underneath your name, there may be spaces for more
information: the date and place of birth, marriage and death. If
you are married, fill in the Spouse blank with his or her full
(maiden) name.
Tips:
Don't worry too much about information you don't know or don't
remember yet--you can fill it in later. Feel free to turn to
your birth certificate or marriage license for more information.
You don't have to predict when you'll die and where. For
uncertain dates, places or names, you may want to use a pencil,
but use a pen to finalize any information.
Moving through Time: Working Backwards on Your Blank Family
Tree
Once you've filled in your information, start on your parents.
Fill in birth place and date if spaces are provided. Notice that
marriage date and place may only be recorded under your father's
name. If your parents are still living, leave the death date and
place blank. Can't remember your parents' birthdays? If your
parents are still living, call them. If your parents are
deceased, call a sibling, either yours or your parents', that is
good with dates. If you can't find anyone who knows, or if you
receive conflicting information, you can request official
records or copies from the state and county where your
parents were born, were married and died. This documentation is
extremely valuable in research. When you have your parents'
information, fill in your grandparents'. Write as much as you
can remember, again, using a pencil for uncertain information.
If your grandparents are still living, call them to confirm
dates and places. Ask them for information on their parents, or
fill in your great-grandparents as best you can from memory.
Tips:
If you're using a numbered chart, a simple mathematical formula
may help you find people more quickly. With the possible
exception of #1, all other odd numbers on the chart indicate
women and even numbers indicate men. Double a person's "number"
on this chart to get the number of his or her father. Double a
person's number and add one to get the number of his or her
mother. This mathematical trick works on all pedigree charts
arranged like this, from a four generation chart to a 200
generation chart. Don't forget to use women's maiden names as
you fill in your chart. In the top right corner of the page,
label this chart as Chart No. 1. In the bottom left hand corner,
write your name, current address, current phone number and the
date you prepared this chart.
Filling in your blank family tree will take a little time, but
with some effort and phone calls, you should be able to get a
good start on your family history. In the second article, you
can learn more about pushing your research further back, getting
to know your ancestors and how professional genealogy research
could help you in your quest.