| If you have ever wondered how to make a | | | | name per each box). The next step is to draw |
| proper family tree that properly can record and | | | | another "sub-box" beneath your parents' boxes |
| keep track of everyone in your family, then | | | | and write your name in the box, drawing two |
| you've come to the right place. If you want an | | | | lines connecting your parents' boxes to yours. If |
| example of a family tree to see if you're doing it | | | | you have siblings, create separate boxes next to |
| right, you need look no further. Family trees are | | | | yours and include their names. From here you can |
| the best way to keep your family records | | | | include further "sub-boxes" or "branches" including |
| straight and organized so you can teach future | | | | your children, your spouse, your siblings' children or |
| generations about where they come from, their | | | | spouses and so forth. |
| ethnicity and cultural roots. | | | | It's a great idea to ask around in your family if |
| An ideal example of a family tree should either be | | | | there have already been any family trees created. |
| drawn out on a large piece of paper or on a | | | | Sometimes you can find a very old or unheard |
| computer that allows you to do hierarchical | | | | about tree that is in a box or in an attic |
| ordering. Software programs like mind mapping | | | | somewhere. It's an excellent idea to try to track |
| programs can also work great for this since they | | | | this down so you can update the records and |
| often work in the exact same way as a family | | | | preserve them either in digital form or by |
| tree does. Basically a family tree diagram just | | | | laminating the old document and putting it in a |
| needs to be ordered with "parents" and "children." | | | | safer place. It'd be wise to at least scan the old |
| Or in keeping with the metaphor, a "tree trunk" | | | | document into digital form so it will last forever |
| and "branches." These family trees are organized | | | | and stay protected no matter what. Additionally |
| in the same way you might order a school essay | | | | these old diagrams make for a great visual |
| or research paper outline with main topics and | | | | example of a family tree and how it should look. |
| sub-topics. | | | | If there is no known family history trees in your |
| A great example of a family tree can be quickly | | | | family than you should start from scratch either |
| and easily made using a piece of paper and pen. | | | | using a drawn out diagram or a digital version on |
| Just draw up a very simple "rough" draft, we | | | | a computer using mind mapping software or |
| won't be framing this or putting it in the archives, | | | | similar genealogy tracing programs. Preserving |
| it's just for getting a good idea of how a family | | | | your family history and records is a very |
| history tree works. For starters, just draw two | | | | important thing to do and future generations will |
| boxes that are separate from each other, write | | | | greatly appreciate knowing where they came |
| each of your parent's names in the boxes (one | | | | from, it's definitely worth the time to do! |