family tree of the family name. How to make a genealogical family tree

Each person must know the history of his family in order to have an idea of ​​​​his origin, status, historical value. However, not everyone knows about their relatives beyond their grandparents (at best). Today, it is becoming fashionable to draw up your family tree, the so-called family tree (the program will help you do this colorfully and visually). This scheme is called a tree due to the fact that many relatives “grow” from one person, like the crown of a tree.

What do you need to draw up a pedigree

The first step to compiling a family tree is. A program for building a family tree can help with this, in which possible family lines can be determined by last name. However, it is quite clear that it is difficult to find exactly your relative by last name, so additional information is needed to find the right person.

For each relative, a genealogical card is compiled, it contains a list of data that must be provided.

Sources of information about relatives

It is necessary to arm yourself with writing materials and turn to relatives in order to write down not only the last names, first names and patronymics of relatives known to them, but also places of residence and other information about the life of relatives, their social activities, and participation in global events.

With the information received, you can contact the archive and, for a fee, track data on the movements of members of the clan. For an archive employee, the date of birth and death of a person matters. If exact information is not known, at least an approximate period should be given.

The necessary information may be in old family records, so you need to turn to written sources. Older people have a tendency to write down important events, including information about ancestors. It is possible that in the notebooks of grandmothers you can find your distant roots.

Basic and additional information in the family tree

The main, that is, mandatory information is data on birth and death, all other data received are called secondary.

The data obtained during the collection of information may be needed only at the stage of searching for relatives, however, special merits or status can be indicated directly next to the data about this person on the family tree. For example, information about the number of marriages at first glance may seem superfluous, but at the same time, if in each of the marriages children are born who are already relatives to each other, then if information about them is posted without mentioning each marriage, the tree will look incorrect.

How the tree building program works

The program for creating a family tree has several, which will be discussed later. Information is stored in a specific format, a single sample. Therefore, the program for compiling a family tree allows not only to enter data directly into this program, but also to import them from another.

In addition to basic information, the tree may contain photographs, dates of birth and death, and other important information (at the discretion of the components).

The necessary data is entered into the program, after which the tree can be printed or saved in the most convenient form for the user. Compiling a family tree, the program allows not only to obtain the necessary information, but also to arrange it in its original form. This allows you to make the tree an original gift for relatives on any memorable holiday for the family. The program for compiling a family tree is not one, there are quite a few of them. And although the principle of their work is the same, for someone it may seem more convenient to use the program "Tree of Life", "GenoPro" or Family Tree Builde. You can save data both within the program and use online compilation, and then the tree will be saved on a computer or other device.

Usually, the program allows you to create a family quickly enough, it has convenient, simple controls.

How can a family tree be represented?

The traditional way of presenting information is a diagram. A genealogical tree whose compilation program has several data saving form templates can fit a diagram into a tree or other colorful form. The scheme in which the coat of arms of the family will be placed looks much more solemn.

You can display the data as textual information, or you can add only photos, without captions. By the location of relatives in the diagram, one can understand certain people.

The data can be represented as an ascending mixed type chart, along the vertical axis.

Similarly, information can be presented on a horizontal plane, but with a large amount of data, it will not look visually.

In addition to the scheme, one of the types of information presentation is a table. Information in this form is more difficult to digest, however, this type of tree is also used.

Types of family trees

You can draw up a diagram from ancestors to descendants, for which they take the most distant ancestors and then branch off relatives from them. This allows you to find loved ones, for example, on the maternal side. In this case, the program builds the genealogical tree of the family in such a way that brothers and sisters, including cousins, will be located on the same line. This type of data representation is used quite often and is a classic

The program for creating a family tree also makes it possible to build a tree from a specific person (component) to his ancestors. It is impossible to add such a table in the future, but it has a more complete form. In this form, the program compiles the genealogical tree, taking into account relatives both on the maternal and paternal lines.

You can add to the tree only the successors of the clan, that is, men. Such a tree has a linear appearance, but is much less common.

Even when I was in the 5th grade, once we were given the task of compiling a family tree to great-grandfathers and great-grandmothers by Victory Day. At this time, one of my grandfathers died, but his wife (my mother's mother) knew about his parents. Then I learned that when my three great-grandfathers went to war, they were declared missing and only one returned from the war. There were rumors that my grandmother's dad on my mother's side allegedly did not die in the war, but came from the army, but did not return to his family, but started a new one and lived somewhere far away with a new family. Mom's sister jokingly said that you never know, documents will come that we have sisters or cousins ​​somewhere in America, for example, and they do not live comfortably :) But these are all just guesses. I spent most of my childhood and youth with my grandmother on my mother's side. She was left alone, I remember my grandfather only in fragments in my still very childhood memory. Then the grandmother told us, her young grandchildren, her youth, how they lived during the war, about their parents. But it’s a pity that I didn’t ask anything then, let alone write down. The year before last, my mother's mother and father's father had a stroke almost on the same day. Grandmother got out a little more, and grandfather remained completely incompetent, his speech was completely impaired. In 2015, my grandfather dies in November, and in 2016, my grandmother dies in early January. A couple of years ago, I began to be interested in the history of our family, but I was either embarrassed to ask, and there was still no time, you were constantly running somewhere. And when my only grandmother left me so abruptly, I thought about it very much, and I’m leaving and getting married in Russia. While there was time left, I decided not to waste it, so as not to finally leave all the strings that you can still pull to find out information about your ancestors. But how to make it and where to start. It is most important. I started looking online and this is what I found.

WE MAKE A FAMILY PEDIGREE - SPECIES, USEFUL SITES AND BOOKS TO HELP

Any person has ever thought about the origin of his family. The issue of creating a pedigree is decided individually. However, many believe that those who respect and honor their ancestors live much longer. Also, for religious reasons, people are trying to find out more about relatives and determine whether it is necessary to repent before God for their sins in order to improve their lives. An important role is played by the factor of health or genetic predispositions to diseases.

  • Types of pedigrees, ideas
  • Useful programs, websites and books

Types of pedigrees, ideas for a pedigree tree

There are two main types of pedigrees: ascending and descending.

  1. First starts building from you and moves on to information about your distant relatives. As a rule, then comes the father, grandfather, great-grandfather, etc.
  2. Head of the second kind is the oldest founder, and then all his descendants are listed, including you. Such a pedigree helps to take a broad look at the genus, its activities over many times.

There are other types of pedigrees:

  • Male ascendant. Usually it includes only males. It will look like a line. Such a pedigree helps to establish a connection with a historical figure or famous person of the past.
  • Mixed ascending. Here you can specify both men and women. Persons of different genera, different surnames are presented in geometric progression - first 2, then 4, then 8, 16, etc.
  • Descending male. An ancestor is chosen and strings are “stretched” from him to the youngest man of this kind.
  • Mixed descending. Both men and women can also indicate. This species covers several genera and surnames.

According to the type of design, a pedigree can take several forms:

  1. tree. /www.colady.ru/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/rodoslovnaja-300x239.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.colady.ru/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/rodoslovnaja -300x239.jpg 300w http://www.colady.ru/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/rodoslovnaja-60x48.jpg 60w /08/rodoslovnaja-900x718.jpg 900w" width="420" />
  2. Vertical plate.
  3. Horizontal plate.
  4. Circular scheme.
  5. Painting. You can draw a table yourself, telling your family where your family name and surname came from.
  6. File cabinet.

You can choose any species you like and create your own individual pedigree. The most popular is the family tree. It is drawn up not only on paper, but also on the walls of a room at home.

How to find out the pedigree of your family - step by step instructions

To quickly draw up a pedigree, you should follow the instructions:

  • Conduct a survey. Ask relatives and acquaintances, neighbors who know your family about places of residence, class affiliation, places of work, study of ancestors. Perhaps they will remember the appearance (if there is no photo), character, habits, etc. The value of conducting a survey is obvious. You will learn about initials, dates of birth, death, but at the same time you will understand what kind of person your great-grandfather was.
    Polls are best conducted with a voice recorder. You can not write down everything after listening to the story.
  • Explore family records. Photos, diaries, letters, and even notes can point you to relatives you didn't know about. All papers can help you determine who your ancestors were by profession, how they lived, at what time.
  • Make an approximate family tree, table , distributing the information received into two branches or columns - the maternal and paternal lines. Enter all dates of birth, initials.
  • Examine the directories located in the archive state fund. Information about your archive is here: rusarchives.ru. The documents located in the archive will help you determine the class to which your relatives belonged, the position held. You will also find out if the ancestor was awarded, if he had an honorary title. In addition, in the fund you can find new information in the form of audio or video recordings, photographs.
    To apply to the fund, you must have permission from the municipality, it is the administration that must send you to a certain archive - first the regional, then the federal.
  • Contact the library in your area . They usually provide search literature, archival documents, newspapers and other information and reference publications.
  • Visit local museums they may contain new information about your relatives.
  • Contact archivists, search engines, bibliographers, historians.
  • Building a family tree is hard work. It takes a lot of time and effort. You can contact to a private organization who will do all the research for you.
  • Don't forget there is non-state archival funds , dealing specifically with the collection of information and information about people of the past. In such companies, for a fee, they can also help you find any data.

    Useful programs, sites and books for compiling a pedigree - is it possible to compile online?

    We list the sites that will help with the compilation, design of the family tree:

    And here are some free programs that help design and compile pedigrees:

    The following libraries may help:

    The main books that will guide you on the right path will help with the search, determining the class origin of the clan, surnames:

    1. All-Russian genealogical tree (VGD). It has its own collection of information about people of the past living in Russia. There are also articles to help you search. Website: www.vgd.ru
    2. Genealogia.ru- includes historical data and information about Russia. There is also a program on the site that can help you arrange your pedigree.
    3. Center for Genealogical Research (CGI) . This site - rosgenea.ru - has created a unique collection of documents, directories, lists of records by service, land ownership, registration, chronology, estates, geographical indicators. Communication takes place on the forum, where registered users will be able to suggest something new to you.
    4. Official site of the Russian Nobility Assembly (RDS). This non-political organization has 70 regional unions, which store information about the descendants of Russian noble families. Website: www.nobility.ru
    5. In the so-called family social network - familyspace.ru - you can not only find lost relatives, but also communicate with people who may have known your ancestors. The site contains electronic city and military directories that help in creating an online pedigree.
    6. A similar social network project is genway.ru. You can get acquainted with historical facts, determine the meaning of a surname, chat with friends who might know relatives, and also create your own tree online.
    • The Tree of Life - genery.com. You can create a tree, calculate the degree of relationship, save data, photos, videos and other information about the life and activities of relatives.
    • family chronicle - Drawing up a family tree is very colorful in the form of a tree. It is possible to save photos and other documents. Website: the-family-chronicle.com
    • GenoPro - creation of a pedigree in a graphical, tabular form. Website: www.genopro.com
    • Family Tree Build - creating your own family website, pedigree plate. Website: www.myheritage.com
    1. russian-family.ru
    2. petergen.com
    3. bookfund.ru
    • Reference manual entitled "Genealogical information in the state archives of Russia".
    • "Practical recommendations for compiling peasant pedigrees” Petrichenko M.B.
    • Publication "Research of genealogical information in the state archives of Russia" Romanova S.N., "Bulletin of the archivist" No. 5 (41) 1997.
    • Publication of the same author Romanova: "How to find your roots" in the "Herald of the Archivist" for 1998, No. 2 (44), No. 3 (45).
    • Practical manual "Your family tree" Onuchin A.N.
    • Publication "Metric books: time to collect stones", Antonov D.N., "Domestic Archives" 1996, No. 4, No. 5.
    • “Methodological guide for conducting genealogical research. Fundamentals of genealogical culture "Kochevykh S.V.

In principle, all sources write the same thing. In another source, I found that it is better to read a book

Olga Dan
"Compose your family tree" http://bookz.ru/authors/ol_ga-dan/sostav_-_472/1-sostav_-_472.html

And I want to add, before it's too late, ask and be interested otherwise your relatives are dying and memory is such an interesting thing that it erases all interesting facts.

In this article, we will tell what is family tree, what is the principle of its construction, what other names of this term can be found, and also how to draw up a diagram in depth of a kind with ancestors that you do not know about. You should know that this phrase is the fundamental concept of the science of genealogy, which studies the genealogy and family connection of ancestors. A genealogical tree, also known as a family tree, is a schematically designed table based on the relationship of a person and his family. In ancient times, the human race was associated with a growing tree, and therefore, the representation of family members was originally depicted as a tree trunk with the founder of the dynasty, surrounded by branches and leaves with the descendants of the ancestor located on them. There are different types of genealogical tree, you can read about them in detail in a special material on the website by clicking on the above link, and here a variant of the pedigree scheme (table) that is common today is described, when the youngest representative of the genus is located at the roots of the tree.

On the Internet, you can see such colloquial versions of this term as a family or family tree. But according to scientific canons, these phrases are considered vulgar and incorrect, since the phrase refers primarily to genealogy, which means that its official name is the family tree. A valid synonym is the form "Family tree" (or generic), but nothing else. As for the second part of this concept, as historians have established and with which the genealogical community has agreed, only the word "tree" is applicable to the term, since the primary word form was in this form, which later turned into a "tree" for a more pleasant pronunciation and also sound. That is, if you want to operate with correct and scientific names, say family tree, then you are guaranteed a respectful attitude of specialists not only from our family research bureau "Keepers of Family Secrets", but also everywhere where they know and appreciate the history of the genealogy and the origin of the genealogy.

Turning to history, one can find out that in the days of Tsarist Russia, the culture of genealogy was an integral part of the moral values ​​of the representatives of the nobility. If in the house of a person from a noble family there was no genealogical tree of the family, this could be regarded as disrespect for the ancestors, which did not characterize the descendants who, according to society, had worthy surnames in the best way. Since then, a stereotype has developed in secular Russia that keeping a family tree is the lot of the aristocracy. And only in the 21st century the situation began to noticeably change, and more people began to understand that respecting one's origin, and also knowing where the roots of the clan come from, has nothing to do with the presence of paper with a large number of zeros under the mattress. After the revolution of digital technologies, it is possible to study the history of a family by compiling a genealogical tree of the genus, both by attracting professionals and specialists in the field of genealogy, and independently. Access to the state archives is open to everyone, regardless of wealth, and most residents of our Motherland have a computer with the Internet.

Family tree of the family - a diagram in the form of a table

Before you describe the algorithm for generating a genealogy scheme on your own, we remind you that on the website, in the appropriate section, you can buy a family tree of the family, beautifully designed by our designers and resort to the help of specialists in drawing up family ties. If you decide to perform the task in question on your own, then you should first write out the entire list of relatives who are planned to be placed on the family tree. After completing the starting procedure, proceed to determine the relationship of family members in relation to the youngest person in order to arrange the names in the correct sequence on the genealogical chart. Please note that in this example, people currently living are placed at the bottom of the table, and ancestors from the past are at the top. Such family tree diagram intuitive and visually demonstrates the family.

It is important to understand that the person in the diagram symbolizes a separate branch of the family. Since children have parents, moving the genealogical tree deep into the genus, a geometric progression is formed, which, in the presence of exhaustive information, looks like this: from each tablet with a name, two arrows go up towards the father and mother. The wife of the male representative is located to his right, and brothers and sisters, if they exist, to the left, and so on ad infinitum. In the picture of a simplified family tree table attached to this part of the article, we have placed an example from Russian genealogy with direct offspring. As you know, the surname, according to the Christian traditions of the old time, was passed down through the male line, and, accordingly, the main branch of the clan to this day is the paternal line. This indicates that the descendant and his maternal ancestor are not directly related. But this does not mean at all that women should be absent from the table of the genealogical tree of the family. The 21st century is in the yard, male and female have equal rights, which is typical of our time.

The history of Russian births is surprisingly diverse and the materials in this article on the family tree will not be redundant if we do not consider cases with adopted children or "foundlings". Since in our practice of conducting genealogical research we sometimes stumble upon such turns of events in the growth of the family, the instructions in this regard are as follows: the adopted baby is placed on the genealogical tree diagram along with the native, just like adopted children, because by law they become full-fledged members of the family. It would not be superfluous to mention the situation when a child was adopted into a family from an orphanage. However, if it is not possible to trace the parents along the lines of such children, the further construction of the genealogical tree scheme in the depth of their genus, unfortunately, is completed.

Genealogical tree of the family - what to consider when studying

The above was sorted out family tree diagram on the basis of relatives whose existence is known, but what about the representatives of the genus from past generations? After all, usually grandparents cannot tell about them. We note right away that the process of studying the history of a family pedigree with the origin of a surname in state archives and other institutions, although interesting, is difficult and contains many pitfalls. If you want to save time and nerves by entrusting the work to professionals in the field of genealogy, we recommend that you order a family tree from Livemem, which will provide you with reliable authenticated documents and a well-formed family chart based on the results of historical research. However, you can join your own history on your own, since you have already understood the principle of compiling a family tree table, it remains to understand how to move deeper into the genus along the selected branches, linking the family chains into a single whole.

Let's divide the task of forming a family tree table in the direction of the ancestor of the surname into several main areas for collecting materials on the origin of the dynasty:

1) Interviewing the family and identifying the starting point;

2) Search for a mention of the family name on the Internet;

3) Work in archives with documents and communication of generations;

4) Collection of information in tribal villages and local libraries.

At each stage of the search for ancestors, in order to draw up a diagram of the family tree, you will find resistance, and sometimes even misunderstanding - be prepared for this. So, for example, some people do not really like to remember their past due to the presence of complexes or unpleasant events. Interviewing older generations can be hampered by memory impairment in older family members, do not delay this stage and try to complete it as early as possible, being in a favorable environment. Searching through the Internet among genealogical sites and related resources with historical information is problematic due to the presence of a huge amount of spam and inaccurate information. Operating only with data from the worldwide network, you risk creating an incorrect genealogical tree of your family. Do not forget that in our country there is a law on personal data, but despite all this, there is a chance to stumble upon valuable materials. Read more about the search for ancestors in the archives in the corresponding article on our website, and here we will give a brief description of the nuances of working in specialized institutions.

Working in the archives is a different story, here you sometimes have to provide a basis for conducting a tree study (proof of kinship with the desired surnames), long and carefully study genealogical sources with illegible handwriting, which filled most documents until the 20th century. It is not uncommon for people in million-plus cities to have to wait in line for a whole month to visit the reading room or to get the necessary files from the archival fund, since the main state archives are located in regional centers with a large population. These factors negatively affect a person's motivation, and, as a final result, the desire to explore genealogical tree of the genus may disappear altogether. And yet, each institution sets its own set of rules, such as a ban on taking photographs, which is why you can expect to make a photocopy of the original for more than one week. In the villages, unfortunately, not everything is so simple either, often there are people in a state of intoxication and it is problematic to hear their story about the village, however, often the locals are happy to make contact. But we believe in you, having a worthy goal, you will definitely succeed, because whoever seeks will always find!

If you have additions - let us know in the comments, we will make a useful resource together!

All rights reserved, copying of text is allowed only with a link to the site

Natalya Kaptsova


Reading time: 9 minutes

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Any person has ever thought about the origin of his family. The issue of creating a pedigree is decided individually. However, many believe that those who respect and honor their ancestors live much longer. Also, for religious reasons, people are trying to find out more about relatives and determine whether it is necessary to repent before God for their sins in order to improve their lives. An important role is played by the factor of health or genetic predispositions to diseases.

Types of pedigrees, ideas for a pedigree tree

There are two main types of pedigrees: ascending and descending.

  1. First starts building from you and moves on to information about your distant relatives. As a rule, then comes the father, grandfather, great-grandfather, etc.
  2. Head of the second kind is the oldest founder, and then all his descendants are listed, including you. Such a pedigree helps to take a broad look at the genus, its activities over many times.

There are other types of pedigrees:

  • Male ascendant. Usually it includes only males. It will look like a line. Such a pedigree helps to establish a connection with a historical figure or famous person of the past.
  • Mixed ascending. Here you can specify both men and women. Persons of different genera, different surnames are presented in geometric progression - first 2, then 4, then 8, 16, etc.
  • Descending male. An ancestor is chosen and strings are “stretched” from him to the youngest man of this kind.
  • Mixed descending. Both men and women can also indicate. This species covers several genera and surnames.

According to the type of design, a pedigree can take several forms:

You can choose any species you like and create your own individual pedigree. The most popular is the family tree. It is drawn up not only on paper, but also on the walls of a room at home.

How to find out the pedigree of your family - step by step instructions

To quickly draw up a pedigree, you should follow the instructions:

  • Conduct a survey. Ask relatives and acquaintances, neighbors who know your family about places of residence, class affiliation, places of work, study of ancestors. Perhaps they will remember the appearance (if there is no photo), character, habits, etc. The value of conducting a survey is obvious. You will learn about initials, dates of birth, death, but at the same time you will understand what kind of person your great-grandfather was.
    Polls are best conducted with a voice recorder. You can not write down everything after listening to the story.
  • Explore family records. Photos, diaries, letters, and even notes can point you to relatives you didn't know about. All papers can help you determine who your ancestors were by profession, how they lived, at what time.
  • Make an approximate family tree, table , distributing the information received into two branches or columns - the maternal and paternal lines. Enter all dates of birth, initials.
  • Examine the directories located in the archive state fund. Information about your archive is here: rusarchives.ru. The documents located in the archive will help you determine the class to which your relatives belonged, the position held. You will also find out if the ancestor was awarded, if he had an honorary title. In addition, in the fund you can find new information in the form of audio or video recordings, photographs.
    To apply to the fund, you must have permission from the municipality, it is the administration that must send you to a specific archive - first the regional, then the federal.
  • Contact the library in your area . They usually provide search literature, archival documents, newspapers and other information and reference publications.
  • Visit local museums they may contain new information about your relatives.
  • Contact archivists, search engines, bibliographers, historians.

Building a family tree is hard work. It takes a lot of time and effort. You can contact to a private organization who will do all the research for you.

Don't forget there is non-state archival funds , dealing specifically with the collection of information and information about people of the past. In such companies, for a fee, they can also help you find any data.

Useful programs, websites and books for compiling a pedigree - can it be done online?

We list the sites that will help with the compilation, design of the family tree:

  1. All-Russian genealogical tree (VGD). It has its own collection of information about people of the past living in Russia. There are also articles to help you search. Website: www.vgd.ru
  2. Genealogia.ru- includes historical data and information about Russia. There is also a program on the site that can help you arrange your pedigree.
  3. Center for Genealogical Research (CGI) . This site - rosgenea.ru - has created a unique collection of documents, directories, lists of records by service, land ownership, registration, chronology, estates, geographical indicators. Communication takes place on the forum, where registered users will be able to suggest something new to you.
  4. Official site of the Russian Nobility Assembly (RDS). This non-political organization has 70 regional unions, which store information about the descendants of Russian noble families. Website: www.nobility.ru
  5. In the so-called family social network - familyspace.ru - you can not only find lost relatives, but also communicate with people who may have known your ancestors. The site contains electronic city and military directories that help in creating an online pedigree.
  6. A similar social network project is genway.ru. You can get acquainted with historical facts, determine the meaning of a surname, chat with friends who might know relatives, and also create your own tree online.

And here are some free programs that help design and compile pedigrees:

  • The Tree of Life - genery.com. You can create a tree, calculate the degree of relationship, save data, photos, videos and other information about the life and activities of relatives.
  • family chronicle - drawing up a pedigree is very colorful in the form of a tree. It is possible to save photos and other documents. Website: the-family-chronicle.com
  • GenoPro - creation of a pedigree in a graphical, tabular form. Website: www.genopro.com
  • Family Tree Build - creating your own family site, a pedigree tablet. Website: www.myheritage.com

The following libraries may help:

  1. russian-family.ru
  2. petergen.com
  3. bookfund.ru

The main books that will guide you on the right path will help with the search, determining the class origin of the clan, surnames:

  • Reference manual entitled "Genealogical information in the state archives of Russia".
  • "Practical recommendations for compiling peasant pedigrees” Petrichenko M.B.
  • Publication "Research of genealogical information in the state archives of Russia" Romanova S.N., "Bulletin of the archivist" No. 5 (41) 1997.
  • Publication of the same author Romanova: "How to find your roots" in the "Herald of the Archivist" for 1998, No. 2 (44), No. 3 (45).
  • Practical manual "Your family tree" Onuchin A.N.
  • Publication "Metric books: time to collect stones", Antonov D.N., "Domestic Archives" 1996, No. 4, No. 5.
  • “Methodological guide for conducting genealogical research. Fundamentals of genealogical culture "Kochevykh S.V.

Are you involved in compiling the pedigree of your family? We will be grateful for your feedback!

Most people sooner or later think about who their ancestors were: nobles, peasants, merchants, and maybe royal blood flowed in some persons. Perhaps the craving for the world of art is explained by the fact that great-great-grandfather was an artist? After such reasoning, some firmly decide to find out as much information as possible about their roots and make their own family tree. Some have enough information gleaned from the stories of relatives, while others go further, up to a trip to the land of the ancestors and visiting their burial places, because tombstones may well become sources of valuable data. Consider the nuances of information search and the principles of compiling a pedigree.

You should start by searching and collecting information about all your ancestors. This information can include their full name, dates of birth, marriage, service and death (its cause is also important, since it can be a hereditary disease), belonging to a class, place of work and position, the name of the educational institution that they graduated from, whether he was baptized, a description of his appearance and character, and so on. Ask your relatives about it, study the family archive (annotated photo diaries, letters, various testimonies, labor, military tickets, diplomas), make copies of all available documents. Systematize the information already received, you can start keeping a family tree book or painting, a search diary, which you can supplement with data obtained later. Thus, you will not get confused in the information found. You can also create a questionnaire for each of the relatives found, in which you will enter other information - religion, habits, data on awards and achievements in certain areas, hobbies, information about his friends and other items of your choice. You will need to look for the missing information in libraries at the place of residence of a certain ancestor, in federal and municipal archives, registry offices, military archives, historical sites and genealogical portals. Try to get extracts from the house registers, study parish metrics. In those archives that you cannot access on your own, you should send requests. And in local you can ask for help from the staff in compiling a genealogical certificate (for a fee). In cases where the search for an ancestor may be of historical value, contact the Russian Genealogical Society (Moscow, Sadovaya st., 18). If you cannot or do not want to search and collect information yourself, use the services of specialists in this field. Read more about this. You can order such a service. Keep in mind that this pleasure is quite expensive. After receiving all the data, proceed to compiling your pedigree. You can arrange it in several ways: in the form of a generational painting, a family tree or a table. It is worth resorting to the first option if you have collected a lot of information. Assign each line in it to a separate generation, and assign individual numbers to all members of the pedigree. The second option is simpler in the form of a tree. The founder of the genus serves as the root, and all the descendants serve as the trunk, branches and leaves. The free program Family Tree Builder will facilitate the task. Download it from the official site. You can choose a schematic representation of a kind in the form of a table. Make a pedigree, starting from the proband - for whom it is done, that is, you. Depending on gender, mark with a circle (female) or a square (male) with an arrow. Next, put the symbols of siblings, in seniority, from left to right, connect them with a graphic yoke. Above, mark the parents by connecting them with a marriage line. Here (a little to the side) depict the symbols of their closest relatives or spouses. Then on your line point cousins ​​and cousins, then second cousins, etc., connect them with moms and dads. Draw a line of grandparents above the parents. Designate children and nephews under your row. Then continue on the ascending line.