A family tree book is a printed or bound compilation of your genealogical research, presenting your ancestors and relatives in charts, narratives, and photographs rather than as a loose collection of online profiles. It turns raw data into a lasting, readable heirloom that can be shared with relatives who do not use genealogy websites.
What a Family Tree Book Actually Contains
Most family tree books blend several formats. A common structure includes a pedigree chart (the classic fan or ladder showing direct ancestors), family group sheets (details about each nuclear family unit), and narrative chapters about individual ancestors or family lines. Many books also include:
- Photographs, scanned documents (birth certificates, census pages, letters), and maps of ancestral hometowns.
- Stories or anecdotes passed down orally, clearly labeled as family lore where documentation is missing.
- Source citations for each major fact, either in footnotes, endnotes, or a bibliography.
- An index of names and places for easy lookup.
The book’s scope varies: it might cover all descendants of one immigrant ancestor, a single surname line, or your entire known tree back to the earliest documented generation. The best books define that scope early so the reader knows what to expect.
How to Build a Family Tree Book from Scratch
Creating a book is a project that moves from research to design to printing. A practical sequence looks like this:
- Gather and verify your data. Pull records from genealogy websites, archives, and family interviews. Cross-check dates and places against at least two sources when possible.
- Choose a format. Decide between a professionally printed hardcover, a print-on-demand softcover, or a digital PDF. Each has different costs and turnaround times.
- Select software or templates. Programs like Family Tree Maker, Legacy Family Tree, or online services like Ancestry’s book printing feature can auto-generate charts. For more design control, use word processors or desktop publishing software with your own layout.
- Organize by generation or family line. Most books start with the oldest known ancestor and work forward, or start with yourself and work backward. Consistency helps readers follow along.
- Write narratives. For each ancestor, include a short biographical sketch: birth, marriage, children, occupation, migration, and death. Add context about the historical period (e.g., what it meant to be a farmer in 1800s Ohio).
- Insert visuals and citations. Place images near the relevant text and cite sources for every date, place, or relationship that is not common knowledge.
- Proofread and test-print. Have a relative read for errors, and order a single proof copy before printing multiple copies.
Choosing the Right Software or Service
The tool you choose depends on your comfort with design and your budget. Here are the common options:
- Genealogy software with book modules: Family Tree Maker and Legacy Family Tree can generate charts and reports that you export to PDF or print. They are good for large trees but often produce utilitarian layouts.
- Online family tree services: Ancestry and MyHeritage offer book-printing features that pull directly from your online tree. They are convenient but may lock you into their design templates.
- Desktop publishing: Using Microsoft Word, Apple Pages, or Adobe InDesign gives you full control over layout. This works well if you are comfortable with design and have a manageable tree (under 500 people).
- Professional genealogists or book services: For a polished, archival-quality volume, you can hire a professional genealogist to compile the data and a book designer to lay it out. This is the most expensive route but yields the highest quality.
Before committing, check whether the software can export your data in GEDCOM (a universal genealogy file format) so you are not locked into one vendor.
Common Problems and How to Avoid Them
Even well-researched books hit snags. The most frequent issues are:
- Inconsistent naming conventions: Use one format for names (e.g., “John Smith (1820–1890)”) and stick to it. Avoid switching between maiden names and married names without explanation.
- Missing source citations: A fact without a source is just an opinion. Write down where you found each piece of information as you go, not later.
- Overwhelming the reader: A 500-page book with every distant cousin can be exhausting. Focus on direct ancestors and their immediate families, and mention collateral lines in an appendix.
- Outdated information: DNA test results and new digitized records can change conclusions. Add a note that the book reflects research as of a certain date.
- Copyright issues: If you include photos from other people’s collections or published works, get permission or credit the owner. Family photos are usually fine, but be cautious with images found online.
Costs and Time Expectations
The price of a family tree book varies wildly. A simple softcover book printed at a local shop or online service might cost $20–$50 per copy. A hardcover with custom design and high-quality paper can run $100–$200 per copy. Professional design and layout services add $500–$2,000 or more, depending on the book’s length and complexity.
Time is a bigger factor. If you already have a well-documented tree, assembling it into a book can take a few weeks of evenings. If you are starting from scratch, expect months of research before you have enough verified data to fill a meaningful book. Many people work on a family tree book for years, adding new branches as they discover records.
Digital vs. Print: Which Is Better?
Digital books (PDFs or e-books) are easy to share and update, and they cost nothing to reproduce. They are ideal for distributing to many relatives or for keeping a working draft. However, they lack the permanence and tactile appeal of a printed volume. A printed book survives technology changes and can be passed down as a physical heirloom.
Many genealogists do both: create a digital master file, then print a limited number of hard copies for close family. If you choose print, use acid-free paper and archival-quality binding to ensure it lasts for generations. Also, keep the digital file backed up in multiple locations (cloud storage plus an external drive) so you never lose your work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far back can a family tree book realistically go? That depends on your family’s records. In Europe, parish registers often start in the 16th or 17th century; in the United States, census records begin in 1790. Some families have noble or royal lines that can be traced to the Middle Ages, but for most people, 10–15 generations is a realistic goal with solid documentation.
Do I need to include sources in a family tree book? Yes, if you want it to be taken seriously by genealogists and future researchers. Even a simple list of sources at the end of each chapter helps readers verify your work. Without sources, errors silently propagate.
Can I use DNA results in a family tree book? Yes, but present them carefully. DNA can suggest relationships, but it does not prove a specific ancestor. Include a separate section on DNA matches and explain that ethnicity estimates are interpretive, not definitive.
What is the best way to share a family tree book with relatives? Print copies for the oldest generation and the most interested descendants. For everyone else, a PDF or a link to a private online album works well. Consider hosting a family gathering to present the book and collect corrections.
How do I handle conflicting information between records? Present both versions and note which source you consider more reliable. For example, a census might list a birth year different from a gravestone. Explain why you chose one over the other, or state that the discrepancy remains unresolved.
Is it okay to include living relatives in a family tree book? Yes, but be cautious. Some people prefer privacy. Ask permission before including details about living individuals, especially dates of birth or addresses. A common compromise is to list names and relationships but omit sensitive data.
Related
- Rachel’s Household Gods: The Biblical Theft Explained
- Deborah Cohen Household Gods: Myth or Reality?
- Poetry Foundation: What It Is and How to Use It
How pages are sourced and corrected: Sources and editorial policy.