How to build a family tree (a beginner's guide)
Building a family tree is one of the most rewarding ways to connect with your history. This guide walks you through starting from nothing and growing a tree you will be proud to print and frame.
Start with yourself
Every tree begins with a single person: you. Open the editor and enter your first name - that is all it takes to begin. From there, the tree grows outward as you add relatives around you.
Starting with yourself (rather than a distant ancestor) keeps the process concrete. You know your own parents, grandparents, and siblings, so the first few generations come quickly.
Add the people you know first
Work outward from what you are certain of:
- Parents - add your mother and father.
- Grandparents - add parents for each of your parents.
- Siblings - add brothers and sisters who share your parents.
- Partner and children - add your spouse or partner and any children.
Do not worry about getting everything perfect. You can edit names, dates, and relationships at any time, and undo is always one click away.
Record the details that matter
For each person you can capture as much or as little as you like: birth and death years, places, a photo, occupation, and free-form notes. Even a first name is enough to place someone on the tree; the rest can be filled in later as you research.
Dates are especially useful because they help you keep generations straight and make the finished chart more informative.
Handle the tricky parts
Real families are rarely tidy. A few tips:
- Unknown parents - if you know a sibling relationship but not the shared parent, the app can create a placeholder “Unknown parent” you can name later.
- Blended families - people can have multiple partners and children across different relationships.
- Adoption - relationships can be marked so the chart reflects your family accurately.
Keep a backup
Because your tree is stored privately in your browser, it is a good habit to export it now and then. A GEDCOM or JSON export is a portable backup you can re-import on any device. Learn more in our guide on GEDCOM vs JSON.
Print something worth framing
When your tree is ready, export a print-ready PDF or a high-resolution image. See how to print a family tree for choosing paper sizes and orientation.
Ready to start? Open the editor and add your first person.