A family tree poster is a large-format visual chart that maps your ancestors and relatives across generations, designed to be framed and displayed. This guide covers how to build one, what to include, and how to avoid common mistakes.
What a Family Tree Poster Actually Shows
A family tree poster typically displays a pedigree chart or a descendant chart. A pedigree chart starts with you (or a chosen ancestor) at the bottom or center and branches upward or outward to parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. A descendant chart starts with an ancestor at the top and fans out to children, grandchildren, and beyond. Most posters use a tree motif—a trunk for the root ancestor and branches for each generation—but many modern designs use clean lines, boxes, and connecting lines instead of literal tree art.
Posters differ from standard genealogy software views in two ways: they are sized for wall display (usually 18×24 inches or larger), and they are designed to be read from a distance. That means text must be large enough to read at arm’s length, and the layout must avoid clutter. A typical poster includes names, birth and death dates, and sometimes places. Some add marriage dates, photos, or short notes, but every extra element competes for space.
How to Choose the Right Format
Before you start, decide which format fits your data and your wall. The three most common are:
- Pedigree chart (ancestor-focused): Shows your direct line—parents, grandparents, great-grandparents. Best if you want to highlight a single family line going back several generations.
- Descendant chart: Starts with an immigrant ancestor or a grandparent and shows all their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Best for family reunions or showing a large extended family.
- Fan chart: A circular layout with you at the center and ancestors radiating outward in concentric rings. Best for a decorative piece, but it limits space for notes and becomes hard to read beyond four or five generations.
If your research includes cousins, aunts, and uncles, a descendant chart is more useful. If you only have direct ancestors, a pedigree chart is simpler and cleaner.
What Data to Include (and What to Leave Out)
The core data for each person is the same as in any genealogy record:
- Full name (use the name at birth; include married names for women if space allows)
- Birth date and place
- Death date and place (if applicable)
- Marriage date and place (for couples)
You can add photos, but they take space and often become unrecognizable at poster size. If you include photos, use headshots only and keep them small. You can also add a short note for notable ancestors, such as “Civil War veteran” or “Immigrated from Ireland in 1847,” but limit notes to one line per person.
Leave out living people’s birth dates if you plan to share the poster publicly or online. Many genealogy sites use a “living” marker instead of a date. For privacy, you can list only a year for living relatives, or omit them entirely if the poster is about your direct ancestors.
How to Build the Poster: Step by Step
You do not need to be a designer or a genealogist to make a family tree poster. The process is straightforward:
- Gather your data. Use your own research, family records, or a genealogy website like Ancestry or FamilySearch. Export a GEDCOM file if your software supports it—that file contains all your family data in a standard format.
- Choose a tool. Options include Canva, Lucidchart, Family Tree Maker, or a dedicated service like MyHeritage’s poster maker. If you want a hand-drawn look, you can use a pencil and ruler on large paper.
- Decide the generation depth. A poster with four generations (you, parents, grandparents, great-grandparents) is readable and fits a standard frame. Five or six generations require a larger poster or smaller text.
- Lay out the chart. Start with the root person, then add parents above or to the side. Connect each couple with a horizontal line, then connect them to their children with a vertical line. Keep the spacing even.
- Add text. Use a sans-serif font like Arial or Helvetica for readability. Names should be bold and at least 14–18 pt; dates can be one size smaller. Avoid script fonts for names—they are hard to read from a distance.
- Review and proofread. Check every date and name against your records. A single wrong year on a poster is hard to correct after printing.
- Print and frame. Use a professional print shop or an online service. Choose a matte paper to avoid glare, and use a frame with UV-protective glass if the poster will be in direct sunlight.
Common Problems and How to Avoid Them
The most frequent mistake is overcrowding. When you add too many generations or too many notes, the poster becomes a wall of tiny text that nobody can read. A good rule: if you have to squint to read a name on your computer screen, it will be unreadable on the wall.
Another issue is inconsistent data. You might find that your grandmother’s birth year is listed differently in two sources. Before you print, decide which source is more reliable (a birth certificate beats a census record) and use that. If you are unsure, leave the year blank rather than guess—a blank is honest, a wrong date is misleading.
Finally, many people forget to check the aspect ratio. A standard poster is 18×24 or 24×36 inches. If your chart is wider than it is tall, you will need a custom size, which costs more. Plan your layout to fit a standard frame to save money.
Costs and Where to Print
Printing a family tree poster is inexpensive if you use a standard size. A 18×24-inch poster from a local print shop or an online service like FedEx Office or Shutterfly costs roughly $10 to $30, depending on paper quality. Framing adds another $20 to $100, depending on the frame. If you use a genealogy website’s built-in poster maker, the service often charges $20 to $50 for a printed poster, but you can often download the file for free and print it yourself.
If you want a large poster (24×36 inches or bigger), expect to pay $30 to $60 for printing alone. Canvas prints are more expensive but do not require a frame—they look like a painting and are ready to hang. For a one-time family gift, a canvas print is a nice option.
Digital vs. Paper Posters
You can also make a digital family tree poster that you share as a PDF or image file. Digital posters are free to create and easy to update, but they are not meant for framing. If you want both, create the digital version first, then order a print. Many online tools let you export a high-resolution image that is suitable for printing.
A digital poster is also useful if you want to share it on social media or email it to relatives. You can zoom in on names, which solves the readability problem. However, a physical poster has a presence that a screen cannot match—it becomes a conversation piece at family gatherings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many generations should I include on a poster?
Four to five generations is the sweet spot. Four generations (you, parents, grandparents, great-grandparents) fits a standard 18×24-inch poster with readable text. Five generations requires a larger poster or smaller text, but it is still doable. More than five generations usually makes the poster too crowded unless you use a fan chart and a very large print.
Can I include living people on my family tree poster?
Yes, you can include living relatives, but be mindful of privacy. If the poster will be displayed in your home, it is fine. If you plan to share it publicly or online, omit birth dates for living people or use just the year. Many genealogy sites automatically mark living people as “living” to protect their information.
What is the best software for making a family tree poster?
For beginners, Canva is the easiest—it has templates and drag-and-drop tools. For serious genealogy, Family Tree Maker or Legacy Family Tree can export a GEDCOM file that you can import into a poster tool. MyHeritage and Ancestry have built-in poster makers, but they often require a subscription. For a free option, use Google Drawings or a simple spreadsheet to arrange names and dates.
How do I fix a mistake after the poster is printed?
You cannot fix a printed poster without reprinting. That is why proofreading is essential. Print a draft on regular paper first and check every name and date. If you find an error after printing, you can cover it with a small label, but that looks unprofessional. The best solution is to order a reprint—most online services offer a discount for reorders.
Can I make a family tree poster without any genealogy research?
Yes, if you know your parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents, you can make a basic poster. You do not need to trace back to the 1700s. Start with what you know and leave blanks for unknown dates. You can always add more generations later as you research.
What is the best way to display a family tree poster?
Hang it in a place where people can get close to read it, like a hallway or a study. Avoid direct sunlight, which fades ink over time. Use a frame with UV-protective glass if you want it to last for decades. A poster without a frame will curl at the edges, so a frame is worth the cost.
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