Gather family information
List parents, grandparents, siblings, children, and cousins
Collect names, birth dates, marriage dates, and death dates if available
Choose a format for the family tree
Use paper, a chart, or family tree software
Start with yourself or the oldest known ancestor
Add parents above or beside the starting person
Add grandparents above the parents
Add children below the parents
Connect family members with lines
Include spouses and partners
Add siblings next to each other
Continue adding relatives generation by generation
Verify information with family records and documents
Organize the tree by generations
Label each person clearly
Review and update the family tree regularly