Many times it starts as a class project. Everyone has had to create a family tree at some point in their life. But, how about creating one to display in your home for family members to see? Here are some ways to craft a family tree that will get noticed by all who enter your home’s doors.
1. Don’t get too attached to the first copy. As you discover more about your family members, the family tree will change. You can begin with a sizable poster board, but will inevitably have to add to it as more family members are discovered.
2. Write in pencil. Until you have everyone you can possibly find a pencil makes the family tree easier to read and make changes. You’ll end up with more legible writing that way.
3. Choose the base of your family tree. Some people do use a tree that has many branches fanning out but you don’t have to use a tree. Start with a circle and your family name in the center in bold capital letters. You can use a tree but start low with the branches so there is room to add more. Older family members are recorded first. You can start at either the top or the bottom depending on how your family tree is laid out.
4. Start with what you know. To stay organized, in each space put a title such as parent, grandparent, sibling, that will be replaced with a name once you learn it. Put in your name, your parent’s names, and the names of all the people you know in the appropriate spot. Filling in the names may jog your relative’s memories to think of more names when they look at it.
5. Don’t forget the dates. Each person has a birth and death date (if applicable). To keep everything in chronological order the dates of birth are important.
6. Choose a final format for the family tree. Some people hang their family trees like a large tapestry and stencil the tree design on with name plates on each branch to represent the family members. A laminated poster is also nice but you won’t be able to make changes if you need to add someone later. You can carry the family tree around to family reunions so everyone gets a chance to see it and hopefully add any missing information you aren’t aware of.
Are you looking for something to do for your family or even something you can all do together? Craft a family tree as a living testament that you can share with loved ones for generations to come.
You might like to take a look at:
Deluxe Ancestry.com Scrapbook Kit
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