When we first start documenting our genealogy we are not always sure of what questions to ask and how to record the information - that's where a printable blank family tree template comes in. In this article we will try to guide you to identify the key information needed when you conduct a genealogy interview. Naturally, try to start by interviewing close family members; they will be more receptive if you have templates that guide you efficiently through the interview. Starting with close family will help build confidence and naturally guides you to collect the most information for your trees in the least time.
To develop your own blank family tree template, list the following titles in a table. Leave room after each line to write extra information that you collect on your trees. You can use pen and paper, a word processor, or a word processing or spreadsheet program on a computer. Whatever method you use to build your templates, leave enough space to keep the ancestry information legible. Set up the printable template to use one page per household. Experiment with the guides and fill it in for your own family. This is merely a guide to what the templates could contain:
- Full name (at birth)
- Date of birth
- Place of birth
- Nickname
- Title
- Spouse's full Name (use her maiden name as her surname)
- Date of birth
- Place of birth
- Date of marriage
- Place of marriage
- Nickname
- Title
- First child: full name
- First child: date of birth
- First child: place of birth
- Second child: full name
- Second child: date of birth
- Second child: place of birth
- ...continue on with as many children as you have
- Provide as much space as you can for stories about your trees; that you can write freehand as they are told to you.
Having these templates as a guide will help you systematically collect your family trees information and ensure that you don't miss anything. The interview should be as much fun as possible. The template guides your discussion and leaves you free to document all of the important stories yet still obtain the best information possible. Your family will appreciate the effort and will all enjoy the family history and the heritage your ancestors provided.
