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Family Tree Templates - Download 127 Free Family Tree Charts From 21 Pages

Family tree templates have previously only been available to members of a few select websites. Even then you may still have to pay for each download of any individual family tree chart. That has all changed, and we are now pleased to offer you the opportunity to download free printable blank family trees. Our high quality charts can be downloaded to your home computer and either printed off in the convenience of your home, or taken to a professional establishment that will produce them on durable oversized paper or canvas. Get started on your family history now, and download one of our free printable blank family tree templates. Look for more information about how to start your family tree template below

Other family tree resources you might find helpful:

Build Your Tree with Family Tree Maker 2012 and SAVE 25%
• 1Free Genealogy Forms Downloads - organize your family search with free genealogy forms
• 2Genealogy, Ancestry and Family Search Advice Articles - articles with search tips and information
• 3Review of Ancestry.com - what people are saying about this popular online genealogy website

To view these PDF Format files, it's recommended that you have Adobe Reader Version 7.0 or higher. Download Adobe Reader free from the Adobe website.

Other Family Tree Resources You Might Find Helpful:

• 4Search Online Ancestors- online searches for ancestors and genealogy
• 5Build a Family Tree Online - where to build and store your genealogy research materials online
• 6Free Ancestry Records - free online genealogy resources
• 7Free Family Tree Report - online resources for creating family tree reports
• 8Family and Ancestry Search Help - Genealogy FAQ's
• 9Free Genealogy Forms Downloads - Genealogy forms to organize your ancestry search
• 10Advice Articles - genealogy, family tree, obituaries, funeral and legal advice articles
• 11Newspaper Obituaries - Links to major newspapers' obituaries section
• 12Meet Ancestors Online - resources for family ancestry research

Family Tree - Establishing Your Family Tree

Great personal discoveries await anyone wishing to construct a family tree. As you trace your family's path through history you will learn not just about them, but about their relation to historical events, how those events affected them, and how they dealt with the personal struggles that faced them. It is a wonderful journey into the past that will reveal much about your family that you don't presently know. However, like any journey, it must be planned out. ObituariesHelp.org is happy to provide you with the tools and knowledge you'll need; including family tree templates, free printable family trees, and instructional articles to help you begin establishing your personal family tree.

What is a Family Tree?

A family tree is basically a chart that indicates relationships between different generations of a family. It is called a family tree, as a conventional "tree" style chart is used to illustrate those relationships. The tree's "branches" are the different sides and generations of each family, and those branches stem from the "root" or "seed" ancestor - the person that the family tree chart begins with. There are other forms of family tree charts however; bow tie charts (extends outwards in the shape of a bowtie), fan charts (takes the shape of a fan), and even scrapbook family trees, which integrate the use of family photos, newspaper clippings, and civil documentation into displaying the family ancestry.

Beginning Your Family Tree

There are three basic steps to beginning a family tree. They are:

1. Gathering initial information about yourself and your immediate family
2. Organizing the information you collect
3. Using that data to uncover new facts about older and undiscovered relatives.

Gathering Family Data for Your Family Tree

Gathering the initial information about your family will include that which you already know, as well as talking to living relatives to see what they might be able to contribute towards your family tree. This might be word of mouth information, or documentation they may possess such as; birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, baptismal certificates, photos, or newspaper clippings.

As you progress in your project you will discover that there are many records that genealogists use to construct a family tree, some of these will include; census reports, military records, and school records. A general rule of genealogy is to "go from the known to the unknown", so gathering the facts that you and other family members may already have will lead you to what you do not yet know.

Organizing the Information for Your Family Tree

Constructing a family tree will require you to implement some sort of record keeping system. This can be a loose leaf binder with section dividers, or your personal computer. Regardless of which system you choose, you'll want to arrange it so that you can quickly and accurately enter any new data that you collect for your family tree. Many people use a computer filing system to store the genealogical data on their family members while storing photos and documents in a loose leaf binder. You can choose whatever method works best for you, the point is; you'll want to organize your data in a way that you can quickly locate records which may lead you to other ancestors.

Using Your Collected Data to Expand Your Family Tree

The data that you initially collect for your immediate family will help you to discover new ancestors. The simplest way to demonstrate this is with your own birth certificate. Take a look at it; you will see that your parent's names are displayed on it. Now you know who your parents are! Of course you do, but this will hold true for every generation. For instance; you may not know who were the parents of your grandparents, but if you manage to locate a birth certificate for them, you'll be able to extend your family tree another generation. Don't get the idea that genealogy is so simple; sometimes birth certificates or other documentation contain errors or misspellings, parents names are left out etc. This is where building a family tree becomes challenging and you'll eventually need to do some serious detective work.

Begin With a Simple 3 Generation Family Tree

Most genealogists begin with a simple 3 generation family tree. This will include; yourself, your parents, and your grandparents. It is a relatively easy way (actually the only way) to get started, but it also helps you to become familiar with the basic procedures of genealogical research. The first three generations are the easiest to find information and documentation on, as usually these people are still alive, or if they have passed away, it is a fairly recent occurrence.

Building a family tree is a very rewarding undertaking. You will find that you develop closer relationships with other relatives, and acquire a deep respect and love of your family. You will be intrigued by some of what you find, possibly saddened by other information you uncover. Don't be disappointed if you discover that one of your ancestors was a rogue or even a criminal. Every family tree contains characters that can be considered "black sheep", and everyone's closet contains one or two skeletons. Such people add colour to a family tree, and make your family that much more interesting.

Ready to get started? Why not read our article How To Complete 3-Generation Family Trees Templates to begin building your family tree today!