How to fill in the 6 generation family tree chart

An easy step-by-step how-to guide with pictures so you can fill in your 6 generation family tree chart perfectly the first time.

SHARE POST:

If you’re getting ready to fill in the 6 or 7 generation Historic Maps & Costumes family tree chart, use this as a guide to avoid mistakes!

The family tree chart used in this example can be purchased in my Etsy shop as a digital download, so you can get started right away!

The most important thing to do first is to have your genealogy information ready.

Option 1: Organize your family tree on a Spreadsheet.
If you haven’t started gathering your info yet, I have a 12 generation family pedigree chart spreadsheet that is really great for this. It’s the #1 spreadsheet in my shop. It’s a Google Spreadsheet, which means you can share it online with collaborators and access it from any device.

Option 2: Practice on a printout first.
Print a black and white copy of your family tree artwork on a smaller paper, and fill in your info with a pencil, so you can erase mistakes.

Now take a moment to look at the example of a 6 generation family tree chart here:

Of course, you can fill in any details that are important to your family tree. This is just one way you could do it.

You’ll notice a couple of things. First, the dates are obviously wrong, but that’s okay because this is just sample info. Next, I’ve color-coded the info to help me easily keep track of the maternal and paternal lines. You don’t have to do that, it’s just something that helps me find what I’m looking for more quickly.

Let’s begin.

  • Have your family info nearby.
  • 1st GENERATION: Start by deciding what info you want in the first generation.
    You can list yourself as the first generation if this is your family tree.
    Some people like to display a married couple and their kids, as I have in the example above.
    Some are making this family tree for their children, so they list all their kids as the first generation, then the parents as the 2nd generation.
  • 2nd GENERATION: To keep things organized, let’s decide now whether the men or women will be in the first (top/left) positions compared to their spouses, throughout the chart. The traditional method is patriarchal, so the men are first. For more Matriarchal families, the women should be first, and always appear in the top and left positions. In this example, I’m demonstrating the more common males-first method. In this method, you would enter the info for Father Smith’s dad on the left, and the info for Father Smith’s mom on the right. If possible, include maiden names for the women. Knowing what they were called before they got married will help future generations of genealogy enthusiasts conduct their research more easily.
  • 3rd GENERATION: Just like gen. 2, grandpa’s dad goes on the left, and his mom goes on the right.
  • 4th GENERATION: Directly above Great-grandfather, write in his mother. His father goes above his mother.
    (I’ve subtly tinted the border blue to remind you where the male goes).
    Fill in the others in this generation the same way.
  • 5th GENERATION: We’ll start left to right, males first as usual, with the parents of the male, then the parents of the female.
    Great-great Grandfather’s parents are first:
    His dad, the great-great-great Grandfather, is first, then his wife.
    Great-great Grandmother’s parents are next:
    Her dad, the great-great-great Grandfather, is first, then his wife.
    Continue like this for each of the 4 sections.
  • 6th GENERATION: This gets a bit easier. Each gen 5 person leads obviously to their two parents in the same row, so just remember to start with the men, and fill in the rest of the chart.
  • Last, but not least, the RIBBON!
    You can write in your family name, or The _______ Family Tree, or My Ancestors, or a family motto.

Well done!

And that’s it! You’ve made your very own instant heirloom! Now you can frame it and hang it up, or head to the local print shop and have copies made for everyone in the family!

Time to invite some guests to see your new family tree artwork!

I love seeing people’s finished family tree charts. Send me a picture of yours or post it along with your review on Etsy to get a discount on future purchases in my family history shop!

Questions? Post them in the comments below:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Newsletter

Subscribe to the House Elves Anonymous newsletter and get FREE genealogy products, including:

✵ Printable Genealogy Pages    ✵Ancestry Research Charts   ✵Binder Page Inserts   
✵Family Trees  ✵ discount codes  ✵ & More!  

Stay Connected

New in the shop

Professional Genealogist Bundle – Set of 10 Family Tree Notebooks PAPERBACK PRINT EDITION

This listing gets you TEN physical copies of this beautiful family tree notebook!
The bundle contains 10 paperback editions of Our Family Tree Index, a genealogy workbook ready to be turned into an heirloom.

RESEARCH TOOLS FOR PROFESSIONAL GENEALOGISTS
This bundle is for professional genealogists and ancestry aficionados. For pros who often compile lineage charts for clients, you can order this discounted bundle and pass on the savings to your customers while presenting your findings in a gorgeous, archival heirloom.

A 10-book paperback set retails in bookstores for $459, but you can order directly from House Elves Anonymous for bulk savings!

7 generation family tree digital download

Freestyle Family Tree for 143 People in an Antique Style

This freeform family tree has room to record up to 7 generations of ancestors, and up to 2 generations of descendants.  See the description below for links to a tutorial to walk you through it!  This is a digital download, and it’s HUGE (it took me over a week to make it), so please download it to a computer rather than a phone.

6 Generation Family Tree of Knowledge

This is a high-resolution digital download: 300 PPI.

YOU ALSO GET:
A smaller size version of the file.  The smaller JPG can be uploaded to Canva.com, in case you want to add text digitally.

Recent Posts

Did your ancestors travel by ship?

Spice up your family history records by writing their information on this custom-designed printable page!  You can get this US Letter size page as a digital

Don't Miss Our Seasonal Sales! Subscribe Now:
You'll also get a coupon for 10% off the entire shop, and free genealogy goodies delivered straight to your inbox with our newsletter.