| Many people are a bit confused when it comes | | | | different colors for gender. You are restricted |
| time to begin the presentation of their research | | | | only by your imagination. |
| and aren't quite sure how to begin. They are | | | | The Bow-tie Chart |
| seeking examples of a family tree to coordinate | | | | This example of a family tree outline shows both |
| their research into something that's viewable and | | | | paternal and maternal ancestry on opposite sides |
| pleasing to the eye. It should be noted that the | | | | of the bow. At the center of the bow are two |
| various examples of charts and forms are | | | | squares placed side by side. In one you put your |
| regularly referred to by different names. One of | | | | name, and in the other you put your spouse's |
| the most common is the Ancestral Chart that is | | | | name. Next to your name you place two vertical |
| also referred to as a Pedigree chart, they are the | | | | squares, one above the other with a gap |
| same form and the names are interchangeable. | | | | between. Put your father's name in the top |
| There are many designs and variations, but the | | | | square and your mother's name in the bottom |
| main difference is where you start and direction | | | | square. This is repeated for your spouse and |
| of the branching. There are many examples of | | | | extended for many generations. With added |
| family tree outlines and the four most common | | | | graphical flair, this can be an attractive way to |
| are outlined here. | | | | present your research. Most other forms like the |
| The Pedigree Chart (also referred to as: Ancestral | | | | Pedigree and Fan charts display only one line of |
| or Box Chart) | | | | lineage, either yours or your spouses, here both |
| This is an example of a family tree in its most | | | | sides are presented. |
| simplistic form and uses lines that branch out, | | | | The Pyramid Chart (also referred to as: Tree or |
| without the graphics and added niceties that many | | | | Inverted 'V' Chart) |
| other charts will use. This format is particularly | | | | This example of a family tree is the one that |
| important for recording the details of each | | | | generally comes to peoples mind when they hear |
| generation in your research. Most entries on this | | | | the term "Family Tree Chart". This family tree |
| chart will contain, date of birth and death, place of | | | | example presents the same data as we have |
| birth and death and marriage date. | | | | seen in the Pedigree and Fan charts, it is merely |
| The pedigree chart starts with you placed on the | | | | the layout and orientation that has changed. |
| left side, in the middle of the page. To the right of | | | | Here, you place yourself or your spouse at the |
| "you" are placed the details of your mother and | | | | top center of the page and your ancestors |
| father. Then you enter your father's father and | | | | branch downwards. This is the format that is |
| mother, and your mother's father and mother. | | | | used in many historical family trees. This same |
| Then you enter the parents of your parents' | | | | format can be reversed with your or your |
| parents and keep going. Each Pedigree chart has a | | | | spouse at the bottom and the early family |
| continuation reference number, and an individual | | | | members at the top, this is referred to as an |
| reference number that allows you to link multiple | | | | Inverted Pyramid or Inverted Tree. |
| charts together. | | | | These examples of family trees are not the only |
| The Fan Chart | | | | formats available by any means, but the most |
| The fan chart derives its name from the hand | | | | common forms used in Genealogy. Each can have |
| held fan used by ladies of means in years gone | | | | many variations by adding photos or changing the |
| by. In this layout your family name is centrally | | | | orientation. Adding photos will make it more eye |
| placed at the bottom, forming the handle of the | | | | catching and personal, whereas changing the |
| fan. Your maternal ancestors fan out on one side | | | | orientation may make it easier to fit a page. |
| of the chart while the paternal ancestors fan out | | | | Changing the bow-tie format for example to a |
| on the other. As with most charts, date of birth | | | | vertical orientation would fit better on a page and |
| and death, place of birth and death and marriage | | | | is known as the "Hour glass". |
| dates of each generation are recorded on blades | | | | Family tree research isn't at all difficult, although |
| of the fan. | | | | there are a few tips that will make things easier |
| The fan chart is an example of a family tree | | | | for those who are just getting started. I hope our |
| outline that lends itself to your artistic flair by | | | | examples of family trees get you motivated to |
| adding a border style to the boxes or adding | | | | start your own family history project and build up |
| different colors for each of the paternal and | | | | your own family tree. |
| maternal lines of you and your spouse, or perhaps | | | | |