Blank Ancestry Chart – Filling in Your Blank Ancestry Chart

A blank ancestry chart, though appearing relatively innocuous at first glance, can be quite daunting when given some thought as to how to fill it in. After all, it represents a map of your family history, a family portrait that you will now paint, and that's quite a responsibility. You'll want it to be accurate, decorative, and well researched - and something your family can be proud of. Though it may seem an overwhelming task at first, if you follow our step-by-step instructions, you'll soon be on your way to compiling a fine family history, and learning how to place that information into a blank ancestry chart.

Most Popular Types of Blank Ancestry Chart

There are several types of blank ancestry chart that you can use to display your family line, but one of the most popular is the Pedigree Chart. This type of blank ancestry chart enables you to add only your direct ancestors (parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and so on). You won't include your siblings, cousins, aunts, or uncles in this type of blank ancestry chart, which makes it one of the easiest types to begin with. Less formal ways to display your family history are Family Trees, or Ancestry Tree Charts. These are basically illustrated lists of family members, and can include as many or as few relatives as you like, with as much information about them as you desire.

As an example on filling in a blank ancestry chart I’ll use our Free Downloadable Four Generation Family Tree Pedigree Chart. You might want to download one yourself and print it out so that you can more easily follow along. Ok, let’s begin filling in our Pedigree style blank ancestry chart!

Before You Start Filling in Your Blank Ancestry Chart

As you are filling in your blank ancestry chart, you'll most likely come across new or more accurate information, so it's best to use a pencil so that you can erase if necessary. It's much easier to revise a fact or two as you go along than having to redo a whole chart written in ink because one or two dates or names are wrong. Once you're certain that all the information you have is correct, then you can use a pen to create a more permanent record.

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There is one simple rule to follow as you write in the dates; the Day comes first, the full name of the month next, and the full year last. Thus any date are written as such; 24 July 1947. This may not be the way you are used to writing dates, but it is the standard method when filling in a blank ancestry chart. Okay, let's begin filling in our Pedigree Chart!

Completing Your Blank Ancestry Chart

The first step to filling in your blank ancestry chart is to write in the information about you – person #1. if you've downloaded our four generation family tree pedigree chart, you'll notice the box to the far left with the number one above it. Write your full name on the top line of the box next to the number 1 using all CAPITAL letters for your surname e.g. Julie Anne PARKER. On the next line – birth date and place – write where you were born, including town, county, state and country (parish if in the UK or Ireland), and your birth date, it should look something like this: b 7 Oct 1950, Donabate, Co. Dublin, Ireland.

You will do the same for the Marriage date and place, using "m" for married, as you did "b" for born in your birth date and place. For ancestors who have died, you would use "d" in front of the date for died.

Finally, if you're married you enter the name of your wife or husband, and your blank ancestry chart has begun to come to life. Follow this procedure for each relative that you will enter, and before long you'll have your first family pedigree chart completed.

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Remember your blank ancestry chart can take many different forms; you can view and download one of our Free Printable Blank Family Trees to get you started. Keep in mind that you’ll be adding to your blank ancestry chart all the time, so select one that will enable you to grow your family history as much as you’d like.