Family tree facts for kids

A family tree is a special chart that shows how people in a family are connected to each other. It looks a bit like a tree, with branches showing different family lines. This chart helps you see who your ancestors (family members from the past) and descendants (family members who come after you) are.

Family trees are used for many reasons. They can help you understand your family's history. They are also used in genealogy, which is the study of families and their pasts. Sometimes, more detailed family trees called genograms are used in medicine or social work to understand family health or relationships.

An example of a family tree that goes from left to right, instead of up and down.

Most family trees are drawn from the top down. The oldest generations, like your great-grandparents, are usually at the top. As you move down the tree, you see newer generations, like your parents, you, and your siblings.

How Do Family Trees Look?

Family trees can look different depending on what they show.

Showing Your Ancestors

When a family tree shows your ancestors, it starts with you at the bottom. Then, it branches out upwards to show your parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and so on. This type of tree gets wider at the top because each person has two parents, four grandparents, eight great-grandparents, and so on. It helps you trace your family's history back through time.

This family tree shows the ancestors of Sigmund Christoph, Graf von Zeil und Trauchburg. It's an example of an ancestor chart.

Showing Your Descendants

A family tree that shows descendants starts with one person at the top. Then, it branches downwards to show their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. This kind of tree often looks more like a traditional tree shape, growing wider at the bottom. It helps you see all the people who came from one original person.

Why Are Family Trees Important?

Family trees are important for several reasons. They help us understand where we come from and learn about our heritage. They can also help families stay connected and remember their relatives. For example, you might discover famous people or interesting stories from your family's past.

Studying your family tree can also help you learn about history. You might find out where your family lived, what jobs they had, or what major events they experienced. It's like being a detective, piecing together clues about your own story!

Related pages

• Ancestor table
• Genogram

Images for kids

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  An ahnentafel family tree, showing three generations of the Kennedy family.

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  This picture shows a fan chart from a computer program called Gramps. Fan charts are another way to display family trees.

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  Family trees have been around for a long time! This example is from the 1500s.