Pedigree Charts
One of the basic tools to create a family tree is a pedigree chart. This chart begins with you and branches back in time, displaying the line of your direct ancestors and results in the presentation of family information in the form of an easily readable chart.
An ahnentafel (German for “ancestor table” is a genealogical numbering system for listing a person’s direct ancestors in a fixed sequence of ascent. The subject of the ahnentafel is listed as No. 1, the subject’s father as No. 2 and the mother as No. 3, the paternal grandparents as No. 4 and No. 5 and the maternal grandparents as No. 6 and No. 7, and so on, back through the generations. Apart from No. 1, who can be male or female, all even-numbered persons are male, and all odd-numbered persons are female
On a pedigree chart you start with yourself (or the person you are creating this chart for) as number one – whether you are male or female. After your name, all the male names will have even numbers and the female names will have odd numbers.
(The paternal side of the family is the father’s blood relatives. Father’s name is always first – therefore all even numbers thereafter are MALE)
(The maternal side of the family is the mother’s blood relatives. All odd numbers from 3 on are FEMALE.)
(To find the father of a person, double that person’s number.- To find the mother of a person, double that person’s number and add 1. The wife is always one number higher than her husband is.
NAMES
1. Capitalize the surnames; this makes them stand out.
2. For females, use the maiden names.
3. Add nicknames in quotation marks.
4. Use initials only when you don’t know the full name; leave room to add the full name when you have acquired it.
5. Include middle names whenever they are known. Occasionally someone will have as many as four or even five names; your earliest ancestors may have had only one name.
DATES
6. Record dates as in the military system. (Example: 16 October 2019.)
PLACES
7. Record the place names in this order separated by commas: city, county, state.
Pedigree Charts are available in the number of generations. From 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 up to 15 generation foldable charts. Each generation the number of ancestors doubles. Each person has their own number, that also makes it easy add and to file documents and photos associated with that person.
Chart #1 is the first chart. If you continue with a branch of the tree, use an un-numbered chart, and give the first person the same number as he/she has on chart #1.
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