Pedigree Chart
Pedigree charts are also known as Ancestral Charts or Ahnentafels. A genealogical pedigree chart tracks any individual’s bloodline back through the generations. It does not show siblings or step-parents – only the birth parents of each succeeding ancestor. [NOTE: for an adopted child, a special "pedigree" chart is sometimes created to show the legal ancestry of the child, although not a true bloodlines pedigree chart it recognizes the influence of his upbringing.] Pedigree Charts normally have room for 4 or 5 generations at which time you start a new chart for each member of the final generation.
What to included on a pedigree chart.
The full name of each person [note: as in most genealogical records, women are listed by their birth name, not their married name] Date and place of birth, Date and place of death, Date and place of marriage, (note: that this is the marriage of the individuals on the chart – other marriages of either party are not relevant to the pedigree of the descendant). The above items are essential.
A few additional pieces of information you can include in your pedigree chart is immigration information (country of origin). If your source of information is secondary make an indication in pencil, (speculation or “rumor”) to be verified. Once properly documented erase the notation or add a checkmark.
The ahnentafel numbering is often included for each person on the chart but may need to be altered on successive charts once your lines extending further back.
It works like this:
The first person (usually on the left side of the chart) is #1. On the line just above and to the right, #1′s father is indicated with #2. Just below him is #1′s mother with #3. For each person, the person just above and to the right is always the father with a number that is two times the child. That is, #2′s father is #4; #7′s father is #14.
The person to the right and below each person is the mother. Her number is always two times the child plus one (or one more than her spouse). That is, #2′s mother is #5 (2 times 2 plus 1 or 4 plus 1). #7′s mother is #15 (2 times 7 plus 1 or 14 plus 1). Either way of calculating works the same in every case. Continue numbering this way to the edge of the chart. If more ancestors are known for anyone in the last column on the chart (for example person #8), start a new chart, with that person in the first position.
This time, however, the person is NOT #1 – the number remains #8, and you continue the same numbering system as above. Use these same numbers on other forms relating to the same person and when filed in numerical order your records are in order by generations. Since the numbers never repeat, they are easy to keep in sequence. A Pedigree Chart provides a visual summary of ancestry and an ideal way of organizing your relationship to your ancestors. It shows at a glance the progress you have made and what remains to be done.
However, a Pedigree Chart has its limitations since there is only room for the most basic information. The next form permits the recording of a greater amount of information per individual.
Family Group Record
This form lets you list an entire family and relative information. You will require one copy for each person on the Pedigree chart, plus you will also want to record information on the In-laws and their children. Since the end result of your research efforts is to compile complete, correct and connected family records, the use of family group sheets from the beginning is an important aspect of your research. It’s best to store these records in a three ring binder. Initially you can set up tabs for the different surnames but many researchers create separate binders.
Biographical Outline
For the recording of personal information on education, military service, illness, religious milestone physical attributes, likes/dislikes, newspaper articles, obituary or events. May also include different address lived at during the course of ones life. Were there any life altering experiences that should be noted?
Source Notes / Summary
It is helpful to be able to refer quickly to information you have found for a particular family and the sources of that information. Keep a separate source summary of information found for each family group. Provide sufficient information that anyone reading your comments will understand what you collected and where.
Family Correspondence Log / Record
It is important to keep track of those with whom you have corresponded, the reasons for writing, and whether or not you have already received an answer. This pertains to both e-mails and snail mail. You can also enter to-do correspondence and mark it sent when the task has been completed.
Census Worksheet Forms
Census extraction forms are doubly valuable: not only do they allow researchers to see the format and column headings for various census years (especially if the schedules themselves are hard to read), they also provide a clean and convenient method for extracting and filing important information you find.
(For USA worksheets http://www.ancestry.com/save/charts/census.htm)
Research Extract
Use the research extract sheets to summarize information that cannot be photocopied, for which there is no document in your possession, or for things such as deeds, which may be time-consuming or difficult to reread quickly when you need information from the copy you have and put them with your pedegree chart.
Research Calendar / Journal
The research calendar gives an account of every record source you have searched and serves as a reminder of what you have already done and where you have found pertinent information. Also record records you researched and were unsuccessful. Knowing all the records previously search can save you many hours of wasted research time.
Sundry Research Aids
The following Aids are designed to assist the genealogist in recording information discovered during the normal course of research. They will also assist the researcher in identifying what records have been researched and what resources need further study.
- Artifacts and Heirlooms in Other People’s Possession
- Book Wish List
- Cemetery Transcription Form
- Deed Index – Grantees
- Deed Index – Grantors
- Family Relationship Chart
- Military Records Checklist
- Note Taking Form
- Research Checklist of books
- Research Questions
- Research Repository Checklist
- Soundex Card
- Statewide Marriage Index
- Table of Contents for Files
- Time Capsules
- Time Line