[sterling10]

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone can help, maybe the following doesn’t exist because it’s isnt easy?

My father in law has spent the lock downs tracing his family tree and has got some brilliant info (gone back to 1823) he is writing out the family tree on an A3 sheet with pencil and the more the finds the more he adds but depending what he finds he might have to redraw the entire thing due to available size on the sheet.

Is there anything out there that can assist him drawing the family tree?

And once he gets to the end or close to the end, is there anything out there that can produce a poster or nice display of the family tree?

[pinkypinky]

It's very difficult to draw out a whole tree on paper.

My advice would be to only draw the direct ancestor tree. Places like Etsy will also have some nice printed up ones that you can just fill in the names.

Lots of services will print up a poster. Have a search on the forum for "print family tree" as we've discussed this a good few times.

[sterling10]

Originally Posted by pinkypinky

It's very difficult to draw out a whole tree on paper.

My advice would be to only draw the direct ancestor tree. Places like Etsy will also have some nice printed up ones that you can just fill in the names.

Lots of services will print up a poster. Have a search on the forum for "print family tree" as we've discussed this a good few times.

Thank you, a good starting point for me

[KildareFan]

Familysearch.org allows you to do a family tree online; they have options of how to present the tree, including a fan chart. That might be a good place to start.

I've done a pictorial family tree using Powerpoint - I used a background photo of a tree and overlaid it with text boxes with the names & dates and photos where available. I had photos of my siblings, parent and grandparents and just names of the 1x and 2xgreat grandparents. I printed out A4 versions of the chart & gave framed copies to my siblings for Christmas - I'm sure they were delighted (or maybe not - I don't think everyone shares my enthusiasm)

[pinkypinky]

Just a word of warning though: you can't delete a tree on Familysearch ever. I tried to delete mine and couldn't.

[Mick Tator]

Several of the 'pay' sites have basic tree software available free of charge. I would use one of those first, even were I preparing a hand-drawn version, just to get an idea of the spacing.

[Hermy]

I use Excel spreadsheets to create family trees.

Attached is a simple four generation chart of the Windsor's.

I find these charts very useful when I want to show someone else what I'm working on.

I just wish I had access to a large format printer to reproduce some of the larger charts I've created.

[pinkypinky]

I stumped up to get an A3 printer at home so I could at least print that size. But I can see that for bigger trees, you might need to take it somewhere specialist.

[otis]

Hi, I've a large format printer (A0) in my office, I'm quite happy to assist with prints for whoever wants them.

My late uncle drew up my mother's family tree shortly before he passed away, it's an excellent reminder of where we all came from.

[Hermy]

Originally Posted by otis

Hi, I've a large format printer (A0) in my office, I'm quite happy to assist with prints for whoever wants them.

That's a wonderful thing to have - thanks for the offer.

[Earnest]

Originally Posted by Hermy

I use Excel spreadsheets to create family trees.

Attached is a simple four generation chart of the Windsor's.

I find these charts very useful when I want to show someone else what I'm working on.

I just wish I had access to a large format printer to reproduce some of the larger charts I've created.

You say Excel, but it comes across as a .png. As an Apple user, I have been looking out for a simple program like this for a future project. Where is the starting point?

[helsbells]

Hi,

https://www.ancestry.com/ Is how my family record it. It’s all online. It links people together easily.

Worth a look

Cheers

[jayzee]

Smartart in Excel could be useful
https://support.office.com/en-us/art...7-a08a36684ee6

[Hermy]

Originally Posted by Earnest

You say Excel, but it comes across as a .png. As an Apple user, I have been looking out for a simple program like this for a future project. Where is the starting point?

It's a screen grab of the chart from Excel.

I'm not exactly sure what you mean by starting point but below is what it looks like before I apply a bit of formatting to improve the appearance.

[Hermy]

Here's a link to a website I'd forgotten all about for creating family tree charts that's free and simple to use.

https://www.familyecho.com/#edit:START