| Making a family tree is not difficult but many | | | | · In the top quarter of the page you |
| people get themselves into a muddle because | | | | should draw four rectangular boxes. They will |
| they are too ambitious with their first attempts. | | | | probably need to be slightly smaller than the |
| The trick is to start simple, by dealing with only | | | | others, and should be separated by just 1cm or |
| one side of your family at a time. Once you've | | | | half an inch. They should all be the same size. |
| got the hang of the techniques involved, you can | | | | · Working from the left, write in the |
| move on to increasingly complicated and | | | | names of your grandfather's father and mother, |
| extensive versions of your tree. | | | | and then the names of your grandmother's father |
| Start with a blank sheet of A4 paper, and turn it | | | | and mother. These are your great grandparents. |
| to landscape orientation (so that the longer sides | | | | · Draw a simple line to join the boxes of |
| are at the top and bottom). Using a pencil, divide | | | | all three couples. From that line, draw another line |
| the page into equal quarters. Don't worry about | | | | to their child's box in the row below. |
| getting everything perfect or neat; this is just a | | | | · Draw a simple vertical line to connect |
| trial. | | | | your box to your father's. |
| Next, follow these instructions: | | | | If you are lucky enough to already know the |
| · In the centre of the bottom quarter, | | | | names of all four grandparents, your family tree |
| draw a rectangular box, about 8cm or 3 inches | | | | is complete. But you could also add the dates of |
| long. Write your name in this box. | | | | birth and death for all your ancestors if you want |
| · Above this box, in the next quarter of | | | | to add more interest. Some people also like to |
| the page, create a similar sized box and fill it with | | | | add the places of birth and occupations. |
| your father's name. | | | | What you have created is a 'direct ancestor' |
| · Moving up to the next quarter create | | | | family tree. This means it includes ancestors from |
| two boxes side by side, separated with about | | | | whom you have inherited genes. You can now do |
| 3cm/2 inch). This is where you will name your | | | | a similar tree for your maternal ancestors where |
| paternal grandparents (your father's parents). | | | | your mother's name goes in the box above yours |
| Write your grandfather's name in the left-hand | | | | and you continue with her parents and |
| box and you grandmother's name in the | | | | grandparents. |
| right-hand box. | | | | |