How to draw a family tree

[janet2802]

Hello,

I have used Ancestry website for a long time but unfortunately it won't print out everything.  My partner wants a family tree to show to his father with, parents, children, brothers and sisters etc.etc. but Ancestry doesn't show that.  Any ideas other than drawing it on paper.  I have seen Powerpoint suggested, but we don't have that.  I wondered whether Excel would work.

Many thanks.

Janet

[*Sandra*]

Hi,

Welcome to RootsChat

This is a subject that comes up from time to time.

Have a read here:-

Organising and Presenting your Family History

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,158638.0.html

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=576510.0

Hope these help
Sandra

[hallmark]

There are some templates here...

http://www.irish-genealogy-toolkit.com/family-tree-templates.html

[hallmark]

https://www.template.net/business/family-tree-templates/family-tree/

and plenty more choices by googling  "family tree templates"

[miw]

You can use Excel with patience, I now use a CAD program for trees that my family tree software won't produce.  Sometimes when you want to show a particular connection or grouping the templates and standard charts aren't suitable.

[hallmark]

I just use an organization chart...

https://support.office.com/en-ie/article/Create-an-organization-chart-21ada00d-82e6-4340-9033-439ac2843c37

[StanleysChesterton]

If you already have it on Ancestry, then you can export the GEDCOM file and import it into something that does display the sort of tree you expect it to look like. 

I use a simple free online tree called familyecho.com - and that does straight forward trees and you can opt to show/not middle names, and show/not life years or life dates and show X generations back and X generations down and X "other people".

So, if I were you, I'd just download a GEDCOM file and spend time tossing that into an assortment of suggested softwares etc, rather than trying to force software to do it for you that'll just have you pulling your hair out.

With a simple online tree such as on familytree, you can even screenie the chart and then "rub out" bits you don't want in a simple paint programme and then paste it onto a Word page if you want it in Word.

[janet2802]

Thank you Stanley.  We are trying Family Echo today and it seems a lot better and a lot clearer than Ancestry site.  I really appreciate your help with the free site.