Genealogy: It's About Family: Beginner Training Lesson 3

The Pedigree Chart

A pedigree chart is an overview look at individuals who are connected to each other directly. There are a few terms to know before getting started on a pedigree.

1) The Direct Line - this is the line of descendancy or Ascendancy (depending on how you look at it) where the child, mother and father are shown; siblings, aunts, uncles or cousins are not. For example, my mother and father had six children. My mother had two brothers and two sisters. My father had two sisters. For a "direct line" pedigree, I would only show myself, my mom and dad, and my mother's mom and dad, as well as, my father's mom and dad. I would not put on the pedigree the other children in the family. (The Family Group Record would list siblings)

2) The Paternal Line - This is the child to father to father to father to father...line.

3) The Maternal Line - This is the child to mother to mother to mother...line.

There are also different types of layouts for pedigree charts, the one to use is up to you. Here are some examples of pedigree charts and how to download your own.

The traditional pedigree chart can be found here.

For a unique way of looking at your chart, try a fan chart.

Are you, your child, or other family member adopted?

Here is an Adoptive Family Ancestor Chart on the Family Tree Magazine site. It will require you to enter your email address. If you do not want to get emails from them you can print or save the forms you are wanting and then unsubscribe later.

THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN FILLING OUT THE CHART:

*Information to add are the full name (woman have Maiden name), birth date, death date, marriage date. Codes are (b) for Date of Birth, (d) for Death Date, and (m) for marriage date. You will also want to add the places of these dates. A pedigree chart (with the overview view) will help in planning where you want to start or seeing blanks that need to filled in.

HOMEWORK: Fill out your 5 generation pedigree chart as much as you can.

After filling out your 5 generation pedigree chart you might want to put it on your wall. Here are some cute, clever or unique ideas.