How To Draw A Family Tree: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Draw Your Own Family Tree PDF download Download Article Proudly display your family’s history in an artistic way Co-authored by Sabrina Grover, LMSW and Ali Garbacz, B.A.

Last Updated: October 6, 2025 Fact Checked

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  • Research
    • |
  • Planning Your Drawing
    • |
  • Drawing the Tree
    • |
  • Family Tree Templates
    • |
  • Expert Interview
    • |
  • Q&A
    • |
  • Tips
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This article was co-authored by Sabrina Grover, LMSW and by wikiHow staff writer, Ali Garbacz, B.A.. Sabrina Grover, LMSW is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) who earned her degree in Advanced Clinical Practice from New York University. Sabrina has experience working in substance abuse recovery centers and schools where she gained experience providing evidence-based treatment to children, adolescents, adults, and families. Sabrina specializes in Dialectical, Narrative, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapies. She has particular expertise in treating clients struggling with grief, complex trauma, interpersonal difficulty, family conflict, anxiety, and depression. She commits to providing a supportive environment for everyone who commits to growth and offering a warm, non-judgmental atmosphere. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,016,042 times.

Whether you’re curious about your ancestry or just want to have a beautiful visual representation of your family, drawing your own family tree is a great project to help you start exploring your roots and lineage. If you have children, it’s also perfect for teaching them all about their family. We’ll walk you step-by-step through the process of drawing your own family tree from start to finish. From researching relatives to placing each one on your tree, we’ll give you plenty of tips so that you can make a stunning and detailed family tree.

Things You Should Know

  • Research your family history by talking with relatives or using an online database and determine who you’re including in your family tree.[1]
  • Sketch the outline of your tree lightly with pencil, starting from the base and working up and out toward the branches.
  • Place your family members’ names on the branches, writing the older generations near the bottom and the younger ones at the top.

Steps

Family Tree Templates

Simple Family Tree Template Family Tree Template with Siblings Part 1 Part 1 of 3:

Researching Your Family History

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  1. Step 1 Ask relatives and use the internet to research your family. 1 Ask relatives and use the internet to research your family. Before you even start designing your tree, you need to know who’s going to be on it. Talk to your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins to gather as much information as possible about your relatives and their relation to you.[2] Go and search through genealogy databases like Familysearch.org to further explore your ancestry.[3]
    • Ask your family members questions about their siblings, children, parents, and any ancestors they may know about. Ask for names, birthdates, death dates, and anything else you’re curious about.
    • Be sure to talk to multiple family members to compare facts and make sure everyone’s stories line up. If some stories don’t line up exactly, ask more detailed questions or talk to more family members.[4]
    • If you want your tree to be super detailed, gather things like family members’ birth dates, death dates, where each family member comes from, pictures, and anything else you want to include.
  2. Step 2 Decide how far back to go. 2 Decide how far back to go. If you have a fairly large family, it might be best to only go back a few generations, such as up to your grandparents and their siblings. If your family is a bit smaller, maybe you want to go back to your great-grandparents or even your great-great-grandparents if you can find any information about them. Think about how much space you have on your family tree and how detailed you want it to be.
    • If you want to add more detail to your family tree, you always have the option to add more paper and extend your drawing. What’s most important is how much research you’re willing to do and how much information about your family is readily available to you.
    • Write down all of the family members you plan on including so that you have a general idea of how much space your tree will take up on your paper.
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Part 2 Part 2 of 3:

Planning Your Drawing

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  1. Step 1 Choose paper and a drawing utensil. 1 Choose paper and a drawing utensil. Pick out nice drawing materials to present your family history in a super aesthetic and eye-catching way. Choose a large sheet of paper that’s sturdy and can fit all the information, such as watercolor paper or poster board. Use some nice markers, colored pencils, or watercolor pencils to add a pop of color and detail to your tree.
  2. Step 2 Decide between a more artistic tree or a standard genogram. 2 Decide between a more artistic tree or a standard genogram. Some family trees are drawn in the shape of actual trees that have a branch for each member of your family. Drawing a genogram, on the other hand, means you’re mostly drawing shapes and straight lines to represent your family and their relationships. With a genogram, you typically don’t overlay the diagram on an actual sketch of a tree.[5] Choose the style that best suits your vision.
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Part 3 Part 3 of 3:

Drawing the Tree

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  1. Step 1 Sketch the tree lightly in pencil. 1 Sketch the tree lightly in pencil. Envision what it will look like and plan how much space you need to write each name and draw the necessary connections. Starting with pencil is a good idea in case you make a mistake and need to erase and go back. Start from the base of the tree and work your way up the trunk and outwards toward the individual branches. Make a branch for each family member.
    • In these kinds of family trees, the parents are often placed in the junction where the branches split, and their children’s names are written on separate branches coming out of that junction.
    • Refer back to the list of family members you made to check how each person is related so that you can draw the correct connections and make sure no one gets accidentally left out.
  2. Step 2 Write your name on your branch. 2 Write your name on your branch. Since this is your family tree, it all begins with you. Place yourself near the center or bottom of the page. Older generations will go below you and younger family members will go above you, so leave plenty of space for your other relatives.[6]
  3. Step 3 Add your parents and siblings. 3 Add your parents and siblings. Write your parents' names directly above your name. Write your siblings' names in line with your own so that they extend from your parents' names. If you and your siblings have spouses or children, write them as well. Spouses' names are written directly next to their partners’, and the children's names are written below their parents' names.
    • Draw lines connecting parents, siblings, and children to make the relationship more obvious.
    • Tailor the tree to fit your family. If you have one parent or more than two parents, fill them in as well. Include step-parents, step-siblings, and anyone else who is part of your family.
    • To keep your tree well-organized, come up with a pattern for listing siblings. For example, write siblings’ names oldest to youngest starting from the left. Whatever you choose, keep it consistent throughout the tree.
  4. Step 4 Write in your aunts and uncles, cousins and grandparents. 4 Write in your aunts and uncles, cousins and grandparents. This is where your tree will really start to grow. Branching out from your father’s name, write in his siblings' names, their spouses, and their children (your first cousins). Write your father's parents' names (your paternal grandparents) on the next level with a branch extending from them to each of their children. Do the same on your mother's side of the tree, including all the members of your extended family on that side.[7]
  5. Step 5 Include more generations. 5 Include more generations. Continue adding the names of your great-aunts and uncles and their spouses and children, your great-grandparents, and so on until you've filled in as much of the family tree as you want.
    • The oldest generation you want to include will be placed at the roots of the tree. This might be your parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, or even further back.
  6. Step 6 Enhance it with more detail. 6 Enhance it with more detail. Retrace the tree in black or colored ink to make the names and outline stand out. Add decorations and other details to make the tree more colorful and aesthetic. For example:
    • Use different shapes for males and females. For example, use ovals for females, rectangles for males, and diamonds if their gender is unknown.
    • Represent divorced couples with a dashed line connecting them.
    • Add dates of birth and (where applicable) death.
    • Add more biographical information for each individual, such as place of birth, maiden name, middle name, and more.
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Community Q&A

Search Add New Question
  • Question What can I do if I am not doing the tree way? Community Answer Community Answer If you do not do the tree way, there is the diagram method. Try whichever option you like. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 34 Helpful 97
  • Question How am I supposed to fit all of this on one page? Ashton Carter Ashton Carter Community Answer Try to write small. If that doesn't work, get larger paper. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 55 Helpful 72
  • Question What relation to me is my father's mother's sister's 3rd son's son? Lucy Nech Lucy Nech Community Answer Your father's mother is your paternal grandmother. Her sister is your great-aunt. Her son is your first cousin once removed. His son is your second cousin. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 34 Helpful 58
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Video

Tips

  • An easy way to draw your family tree is to use a free online tool. Thanks Helpful 7 Not Helpful 4
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Things You’ll Need

  • Pencil
  • Poster board
  • Watercolor paper
  • Colored pencils
  • Watercolor pencils
  • Markers

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Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about genealogy, check out our in-depth interview with Mari Cartagenova.

References

  1. ↑ Mari Cartagenova. Psychic Medium & Animal Communicator. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ Mari Cartagenova. Psychic Medium & Animal Communicator. Expert Interview
  3. ↑ https://www.archives.gov/research/databases
  4. ↑ Mari Cartagenova. Psychic Medium & Animal Communicator. Expert Interview
  5. ↑ https://www.genome.gov/Pages/Education/Modules/YourFamilyHealthHistory.pdf
  6. ↑ https://www.genome.gov/Pages/Education/Modules/YourFamilyHealthHistory.pdf
  7. ↑ https://www.genome.gov/Pages/Education/Modules/YourFamilyHealthHistory.pdf

About This Article

Sabrina Grover, LMSW Co-authored by: Sabrina Grover, LMSW Licensed Master Social Worker This article was co-authored by Sabrina Grover, LMSW and by wikiHow staff writer, Ali Garbacz, B.A.. Sabrina Grover, LMSW is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) who earned her degree in Advanced Clinical Practice from New York University. Sabrina has experience working in substance abuse recovery centers and schools where she gained experience providing evidence-based treatment to children, adolescents, adults, and families. Sabrina specializes in Dialectical, Narrative, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapies. She has particular expertise in treating clients struggling with grief, complex trauma, interpersonal difficulty, family conflict, anxiety, and depression. She commits to providing a supportive environment for everyone who commits to growth and offering a warm, non-judgmental atmosphere. This article has been viewed 1,016,042 times. 42 votes - 68% Co-authors: 44 Updated: October 6, 2025 Views: 1,016,042 Categories: Genealogy Article SummaryX

To draw a family tree, research your family history by asking family members for information about your relatives. Then, draw a tree or diagram on a large piece of paper. Next, write your name on one of the limbs and add your parents and siblings to the limbs closest to you. From there, use the branches to add your grandparents, aunts, and uncles. Connect them to your parents, keeping your dad’s family on one side of the tree, and your mom’s on the other. Continue adding generations using the information you have. To learn how genealogy sites like Familysearch.org can help you draw your family tree, read on! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Roberta Westbrooks

    Roberta Westbrooks

    Feb 7, 2017

    "I liked the family tree made of felt, it was easy and very simple to follow. I am looking for a way to display my..." more
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Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Sabrina Grover, LMSW Co-authored by: Sabrina Grover, LMSW Licensed Master Social Worker 42 votes - 68% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 44 Updated: October 6, 2025 Views: 1,016,042 Roberta Westbrooks

Roberta Westbrooks

Feb 7, 2017

"I liked the family tree made of felt, it was easy and very simple to follow. I am looking for a way to display my..." more Normand Allard

Normand Allard

Jan 1, 2017

"I wasn't sure if the living members were listed first or my great, great grandparents were. I have an extended..." more Clara P.

Clara P.

Jun 10, 2024

"I have been wanting to start a family tree, but did not know where to start. Your information has been of great..." more Normand Allard

Normand Allard

Jan 31, 2017

"It was extremely helpful on setup, as I can go back 5 generations, including aunt/uncles/etc but have..." more NDINELAGO LAZARUS

NDINELAGO LAZARUS

Mar 20, 2018

"Thanks for helping us to understand more about our family trees. I hope I am going to design mine too, as I..." more Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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