Ancestor table facts for kids
An ancestor table (also known as an ahnentafel, which comes from the German language) is a special way to show your family tree. Instead of drawing a tree with branches, it uses a numbered list to keep track of your ancestors. It's a neat and organized way to see your family history!
What is an Ancestor Table?
An ancestor table is a list that helps you organize your family history. It's different from a regular family tree diagram. In an ancestor table, each person gets a unique number. This makes it easy to find any ancestor quickly, no matter how far back they are in your family line. It's especially helpful for genealogy researchers who study family history.
How the Numbering System Works
The numbering system in an ancestor table is very simple and always follows the same pattern. It starts with you, and then doubles the number for each generation going back.
- You are always number 1. You are the starting point of your own ancestor table.
- Your father is number 2.
- Your mother is number 3.
Grandparents and Beyond
The pattern continues for your grandparents and even further back.
- To find your father's parents:
* Your father's father (your paternal grandfather) is number 4 (which is 2 x 2). * Your father's mother (your paternal grandmother) is number 5 (which is 2 x 2 + 1).
- To find your mother's parents:
* Your mother's father (your maternal grandfather) is number 6 (which is 2 x 3). * Your mother's mother (your maternal grandmother) is number 7 (which is 2 x 3 + 1).
This pattern keeps going for all your ancestors. For example, your great-grandparents would be numbers 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15. The father of any person is always double their number. The mother of any person is always double their number plus one. This simple rule makes it easy to add many generations to your table.
