Introduction to the Family History Chart: A Pedigree
Posted: Monday, January 11, 2010
by Jeff Sallee
http://www.SecretsOfGenealogy.com
Anyone looking to gather and organize family history information will benefit from the use of a family history chart; perhaps the most well known and preferred choice in these is a pedigree. A pedigree is most often popularly known as a family tree. It contains within it all of the available information about several generations in your family and is generally organized into an efficient chart format to make it not only easy to read, but also make it easy to locate information. Often resembling a tree, these charts start with the trunk of the tree comprising of yourself and your parents. It then branches out into earlier generations. The further back you are able to trace your ancestry, the more branches your family tree will have.
The creation and use of a pedigree to track ancestry goes back hundreds of years; it was often a tool used to determine the inheritance of titles, land and other rights. A woman's pedigree could determine her suitability as a bride by proving noble blood. In sixteenth and seventeenth century England a man was required to prove by family history his right to the use of a coat of arms. While in today's world such considerations sound archaic, the creation and use of a pedigree chart can still be incredibly informative. The majority of hobbyists who research their ancestry today do so out of simple curiosity; however, a family history chart can also be used to trace genetic traits. This can go a long way towards explaining hereditary health problems, as well as predict where inherited traits may next make an appearance. Although we have come a long way from the pedigree usage in the Middle Ages, the family tree remains a source of pride for many people today. Until you complete your family history chart, you just never know what kind of interesting people will turn up in your past.
There are many tools and sample charts available on the internet to help you get started with creating your own pedigree chart. Take a look at a number of different charts in order to determine the style you like as well as how much information you would like to include. Since a chart is basically a graphic representation of the information you have gathered on your lineage, you can represent it in any manner that appeals to you. The majority of pedigrees are created using the tree format. You can choose to use software to create the chart, or do it by hand. There are even artists and calligraphers who create beautiful pedigrees that are more art than chart; these are a perfect choice for framing, hanging on the wall, or giving as a gift to family members!
This Article has been viewed 480 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)There must be a way of finding one's pedigree, any websites that would reflex?Thanks for taking time to read my article.
Some good solid infor here Jeff, much better than a 3.4 by "anon"...and yes, there are a number of web sites available for payment that will assist you on any family history search you desire to undertake. They are merely limited by how much you wish to spend. On the other hand, it's possible to do a great deal stricktly on the 'net for free. It just takes work.Richard,Thanks for taking the time to read this one also.my pleasure.Your comments are valuable..thanks!
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.