A family tree creator is a software tool, website, or app that lets you build, organize, and visualize your family history as a chart. These tools range from simple drag-and-drop diagram makers to full genealogy platforms that also store documents, photos, and DNA results.
What a Family Tree Creator Does
At its core, a family tree creator turns raw genealogical data—names, dates, places, and relationships—into a visual structure. Most tools start with you as the “root” and let you add parents, grandparents, siblings, and children. The software then automatically draws connecting lines and boxes, so you don’t have to manually align shapes.
Modern creators go beyond basic charts. They often include:
- Data fields for birth, marriage, death, and burial details
- Photo and document attachment
- Relationship calculations (e.g., “second cousin once removed”)
- Export options to GEDCOM, the standard file format for genealogy
- Collaboration features for sharing with relatives
Some tools are purely for chart-making, while others are full genealogy databases that happen to generate trees. Knowing which type you need is the first step in choosing.
Types of Family Tree Creators
There are three broad categories, each with different strengths.
1. Diagram-focused tools. These are like specialized drawing programs. You manually add boxes and connect them. Examples include Lucidchart, Canva, and Microsoft Visio (for more technical users). They give you complete control over layout and design, but you have to input every detail yourself. They don’t help you find records or suggest relatives.
2. Genealogy platforms. These are all-in-one research tools that include a tree builder. Ancestry, MyHeritage, and FamilySearch are the big names. They let you build a tree, but they also link to historical records, census data, and other users’ trees. Their tree builders are often less flexible in design but far more powerful for research. FamilySearch is free and run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Ancestry and MyHeritage are subscription-based.
3. Desktop software. Programs like RootsMagic, Family Tree Maker, and Legacy Family Tree install on your computer. You own the data file, and you can often sync with online platforms. These are ideal if you want privacy, offline access, or very detailed source citation options.
How to Choose the Right Tool
Your choice depends on your goals. Ask yourself these questions:
- Do you want to just make a pretty chart for a gift, or do you want to research your ancestry?
- Are you comfortable with a subscription, or do you prefer a one-time purchase?
- Do you need to share the tree with relatives who live far away?
- Do you have a DNA test from Ancestry or 23andMe that you want to link?
If you want to research, a genealogy platform is almost essential because it gives you access to billions of indexed records. If you already have all your data and just need a visual, a diagram tool or desktop software is cheaper and simpler.
For beginners, FamilySearch is the best free starting point. It has a massive shared tree, meaning you might find distant relatives have already added your ancestors. However, because it’s shared, anyone can edit it, so you must verify facts. Ancestry’s tree is private by default, but its record search is the most comprehensive. MyHeritage excels at international records and has a unique “Theory of Family Relativity” that connects you to DNA matches.
Common Problems and How to Avoid Them
Even with good software, people make mistakes. The most common is copying information from other people’s trees without checking the original source. Online trees are full of errors, often duplicated from one wrong entry. Always attach a source—a census record, a birth certificate, a marriage license—to each fact you add.
Another issue is the “same name” trap. If you have a great-grandfather named John Smith, there are likely hundreds of John Smiths in the same county. Use dates, locations, and relatives’ names to confirm you have the right one. A good creator will let you add notes and sources, so use them.
Also, be aware of the “pedigree collapse” phenomenon. This is when a couple shares a common ancestor, which happens more often than you’d think, especially in small communities. Standard tree software handles this poorly because it assumes a simple branching structure. Some tools, like Mocavo (now defunct) and certain academic databases, tried to address this, but most consumer tools will just show a loop or duplicate the person. Be ready to manually handle this if it comes up.
Costs: Free vs. Paid
Prices vary widely. Free tools include FamilySearch, WikiTree (a collaborative tree), and basic versions of diagram apps like Canva. These are excellent for starting out.
Paid options fall into two camps:
- Subscription platforms: Ancestry charges around $25–$40 per month depending on the plan (U.S. Discovery, World Explorer, etc.). MyHeritage has similar tiers. These give you access to billions of records, but you lose access to some features if you cancel.
- One-time software: RootsMagic costs about $40–$60 for a license. Family Tree Maker is around $80. These are permanent, but you may need to pay for upgrades every few years. They don’t include record access, so you’d still need a separate subscription to research.
A common strategy is to use a free tree builder (like FamilySearch) to organize your research, then export a GEDCOM file and import it into a paid platform or software for advanced features. GEDCOM is a universal file format, so you can move your data between most programs without retyping.
Safety and Privacy Considerations
Family trees contain sensitive information about living people. Most platforms have privacy settings that automatically hide living individuals from public view. For example, Ancestry and MyHeritage only show deceased people in public trees. But you should still be careful.
- Never share your tree publicly if it includes living relatives who haven’t consented.
- Use a strong, unique password for your genealogy account.
- Be cautious about linking your tree to your DNA test if you’re worried about privacy—DNA data is extremely personal and can reveal relationships people might not know about.
- Read the platform’s privacy policy to see if they sell data to third parties. Ancestry and 23andMe have both faced scrutiny over data sharing, though they now require explicit consent for research.
If you use a desktop program, your data stays on your hard drive, which is safer from hacking but also at risk of loss if your computer crashes. Always back up your GEDCOM file to an external drive or cloud storage.
Alternatives to Software
You don’t have to use a digital tool at all. Many people enjoy making a physical tree on paper or a poster board. This is great for a family reunion or a gift. You can buy pre-printed templates or draw your own. The downside is that you can’t easily edit or expand it.
Another alternative is a collaborative wiki-style tree like WikiTree. It’s free and aims to create a single worldwide tree with a focus on sourcing. The community is strict about accuracy, which is good—but it can be intimidating for beginners.
Finally, there are specialized tools for specific needs. For example, if you’re a genetic genealogist, you might use a tool like DNA Painter to map chromosomes, which is not a traditional family tree but works alongside one. If you’re a professional genealogist, you might use a report-writing tool like GenDetective or Clooz, which organize evidence rather than just names.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest family tree creator for a beginner? FamilySearch is the easiest because it’s free, has a guided interface, and automatically suggests records. You can start with just your parents and grandparents and expand from there. The shared tree means you might not have to enter everything yourself.
Can I export my tree from one site to another? Yes, if the site supports GEDCOM export. Ancestry, MyHeritage, FamilySearch, and most desktop programs allow this. However, the formatting may not be perfect—photos and notes sometimes don’t transfer cleanly. It’s best to export a GEDCOM and then import it into the new tool, then manually check the results.
Is it worth paying for Ancestry or MyHeritage? It depends on your research needs. If you have a lot of ancestors from the U.S., the U.K., or Canada, Ancestry’s record collections are unmatched. MyHeritage is better for European and Scandinavian records. If you’re just starting and have no immediate brick walls, the free options (FamilySearch, WikiTree) are enough.
How do I find relatives who are already in a tree? On Ancestry, you can search public member trees by name. On FamilySearch, you can simply search the shared tree for a person’s name and birth date. If you find a match, you can request to merge your tree with theirs, but always check the sources first.
What is a GEDCOM file? GEDCOM stands for Genealogical Data Communication. It’s a plain-text file format that stores names, dates, places, relationships, and sources. Most genealogy software can read and write GEDCOM files, making it the universal language for exchanging family trees. You can think of it as a .doc file for genealogy.
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