Genealogy 101

Determining the relationship between two extended family members can be challenging when children and grandchildren of cousins, nieces and nephews are involved. The chart below is a basic chart that covers three to five generations of relationships.

Instructions:

Step 1. Determine the common ancestor.
Step 2. Choose the relationship of person #1 to the common ancestor in the first column.
Step 3. Choose the relationship of person #2 to the common ancestor in the first row.
Step 4. Move across the columns and down the rows to the matching box. The matching box represents the relationship between the two individuals.

A 10-generation chart in PDF format and perfect for printing is available below.

PDF Relationship Chart

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A Pedigree Chart, also known as an Ancestor Chart, shows several generations in a family unit and includes the known vital information on each individual. This allows you to see at a glance what information you have on each generation before the first individual on the chart. Pedigree Charts are available in a variety of styles and sizes and can include an infinite number of generations, though the most common is the four-generation chart as it easily fits onto an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper.

Click on the chart image to view a full-size page.

A Pedigree Chart, to be useful in your research, should include for all individuals a line for birth date (b.) and place (p.), marriage date (m.) and place (p.), death date (d.) and place (p.). The marriage information will only appear on the husband’s information. The starting individual on the chart will also have a line for spouse name (sp.).

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The Family Group Record is one of the most basic and important forms you will use to keep your genealogical information. This form is where you will include the vital information you have gathered on a family unit so you can see at a glance what information you have and what you still need to find.

You will find many different styles and layouts of a Family Group Record, though most contain the same basic elements. The Family Group Record begins with information on the parents of the family unit. For the husband and wife sections this includes their full name, birth date and place, marriage date and place, death date and place, burial date and place, along with the names of their father and mother.

The next section contains a listing of all known children in the family unit and includes the child’s name, sex, birth date and place, date and place of marriage and name of spouse, date and place of death.

Other items you may find on a Family Group Record is a section or line for source citations, occupation, religion, and temple ordinances (baptized, endowed, sealed to parents and sealed to spouse and the temple name) used by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.Most genealogy programs will print the Family Group Record for a family unit based on the information contained in your file. If you are not using a program at this time, you can download and print a blank Family Group Record from Ancestry.com or FamilySearch.org. Both have slightly different forms, so take a look at each and choose the one that works best for you.

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