| Going through examples of family trees is more | | | | branching upwards with their offsprings. This |
| than just an exercise in theory of genealogy. | | | | format replicates the case of an actual tree with |
| There so many ways in which you can present | | | | the ancestors at the roots and can be found in |
| your research and findings about your ancestors, | | | | many historical family trees. |
| that it's easy to get overwhelmed and confused. | | | | - The top-bottom tree, consisting of the |
| Making sure you understand the basics of how to | | | | ancestors on top and branching downwards, in the |
| present your data and researching the possible | | | | shape of an 'inverted V'. This format is convenient |
| designs can often mean the difference between a | | | | to use while building up your family tree. |
| fantastic family tree and a less successful one. | | | | - The left-right family tree, consisting of the |
| The concept of building a family tree is an ancient | | | | ancestors on the left at the root and the tree |
| tradition, developed over many centuries, most | | | | branching from left to right, in the shape of ' |
| famously for royalty and prominent individuals of | | | | - The right-left tree, consisting of the ancestors |
| the day. In fact, the largest example of a family | | | | to the right hand side and the tree branching |
| tree is that of the Chinese philosopher Confucius. | | | | towards the left, shaped like a '>'. |
| No wonder that there is no dearth of examples | | | | All these four basic designs can be found in |
| that you can use to make your selection. You can | | | | examples of family trees from around the world |
| always copy a design that you like as it is, but it's | | | | during various times. Choose the broad |
| a good idea to thoughtfully plan a few | | | | framework to follow based on which format will |
| modifications that will allow you to present all your | | | | best be able to present your data. This can |
| findings in the best possible way. Remember that | | | | depend on your family history and number of |
| everyone has different tastes and a different | | | | family members at each level in your family tree. |
| history, so take some time to make this selection. | | | | If you need help putting these concepts into |
| Broadly speaking, there are four basic design | | | | practice, lots of genealogy websites will give you |
| blueprints that genealogists have followed over | | | | not only examples to follow, but also charts and |
| time. You will regularly encounter them in most | | | | templates which you can personalize and use. |
| examples of family trees. These basic four | | | | Some are more user-friendly than others; some |
| designs come with lots of variations, but the main | | | | are free and others involve a cost. |
| difference is in the position of the root and | | | | Of course, once you are able to build a |
| direction of branching. Choose one of these | | | | comprehensive family tree, you might want to |
| blueprints based on your needs, and then | | | | display it. So take that little bit of extra time to |
| elaborate on it based on your visual and esthetic | | | | look up historic examples of family trees. Use |
| preferences. | | | | design and organizational ideas that appeal to |
| - The bottom-top family tree, consisting of the | | | | you-- and make your own family tree as perfect |
| ancestors at the bottom of the tree and the tree | | | | as that of the ancient royals and philosophers. |