| Completing a blank family tree is a great way to | | | | should always be listed by their maiden name. |
| start researching your family history. It provides a | | | | Below your name, you can include additional |
| way for you to organize your information in a | | | | information such as the dates and locations of |
| structure that clearly shows your relationship to | | | | your birth and marriage. |
| your ancestors. For this article, I will focus on a | | | | Once you've completed the first column, you can |
| 3-generation family tree. I will explain the structure | | | | move on to the second column. This column will |
| of the family tree, how to fill it in, and how it can | | | | contain the information about your father in box |
| be used to organize your family lines going back | | | | #2 and your mother in box #3. As before, start |
| as many generations as you desire. | | | | by listing their full name in their respective box. |
| Family Tree Structure | | | | You can then add the dates and locations of their |
| A 3-generation family tree can easily fit on a 8.5" | | | | births, marriage, and deaths. If a particular space |
| x 11" sheet of paper. With the paper positioned | | | | doesn't apply, leave it blank. Repeat this process |
| lengthwise, it will be divided into 3 columns. Moving | | | | for your grandparents in the third column. |
| from left to right, the first column will contain a | | | | Once you've finished listing each person's |
| single box that will be used to hold information | | | | information, you should label this page as "Chart |
| about yourself. This box is labeled #1. The second | | | | No. 1." |
| column will contain two boxes stacked vertically. | | | | Organizing Your Research |
| The top box will hold your father's information and | | | | In order to document your family lines further |
| is labeled #2. The bottom box will hold your | | | | back in time, you will need to fill in additional family |
| mother's information and is labeled #3. The third | | | | tree charts. The ancestry for each of the boxes |
| column will contain four boxes stacked vertically | | | | in column three of Chart No. 1 can be continued |
| which are labeled #4 through #7. Boxes #4 and | | | | on a new chart. For example, let's trace back |
| #5 will have the information about your paternal | | | | your paternal grandfather's family line. In Chart No. |
| grandfather and grandmother, respectively. Boxes | | | | 1, your paternal grandfather's information is listed |
| #6 and #7 will have the information abut your | | | | in box #4. Next to that box, we will put a "2" to |
| maternal grandfather and grandmother, | | | | indicate that this family line will continue in Chart |
| respectively. An interesting observation about this | | | | No. 2. In Chart No. 2, we note underneath the |
| type of structure is that, with the possible | | | | chart number that box #1 on this chart is the |
| exception of box #1, odd numbered boxes | | | | same as box #4 on Chart 1. Using this method, |
| indicate women and even numbered boxes | | | | we are able to tie the two charts together. You |
| indicate men. | | | | can then continue to fill in this line of ancestry. |
| Filling Out Your Family Tree | | | | Repeat this process as many times as necessary. |
| Now that you understand the structure of the | | | | Completing a blank family tree is the first step in |
| 3-generation family tree, it is time to begin filling it | | | | researching family history. With this information in |
| out. Family research always begins with yourself. | | | | hand, you are now ready to dig deeper into the |
| Box #1 will be used to collect this information. On | | | | life stories hiding behind each name as you |
| the first line, put your full name. Note that women | | | | uncover your family history. |