"It’s important for a man to know his roots"
V. Peskov
If you relate to the history of your family superficially and frivolously, you can at some point find yourself in an awkward situation and not be able to answer the simple question: "What kind will you be?" Previously, genealogical research with particular zeal was carried out by representatives of the highest nobility. This was explained simply - the family tree (a sample of which could be provided to everyone) served as proof of their high origin.
Simpler people also kept information about their origin. Many nations that have not yet torn themselves away from the great umbilical cord and keep the traditions of their people (for example, Buryats, Mongols, Kazakhs, etc.) are very sensitive to the preservation of information about the genealogy. It was considered shameful not to know your family tree to the seventh generation. All the information collected in the pedigree was and remains a matter of pride. From a practical point of view, it protected people from unequal marriages and incest.
Recently, it has become fashionable to restore the family tree. Various computer programs and agencies come to the aid of all comers. In this article we will share how to make a family tree (sample No. 1) on our own without resorting to the help of professionals. Believe me, only at first this burden seems unbearable - the main thing is to start!
Step One: Gather Information
At the first stage of creating the family tree of your family, you will become a meticulous journalist, greedy for any kind of information. Surnames, first names and patronymics, dates of birth and death, place of residence, date of marriage, degree of relationship , etc., other, other. Do not discard information that for some reason seems to you unnecessary now. Believe me, when the whole picture is going to be assembled, this particular puzzle will be lacking.
View your archival documents, ask relatives (especially the elderly). The work of collecting information may be delayed, especially if your relatives are scattered around the world. Do not neglect the epistolary genre, write letters, collect information in telephone conversations, on Skype.
Step Two: Draw a Draft
Already at the stage of collecting information, for convenience, you need to take notes and make schemes. The figure below shows the "skeleton" of the family tree, an example of an approximate arrangement of key figures. As you see, the scheme is simple, female personalities are indicated in round segments, male ones in square. Family tree (sample):
Thin
writing paper is also suitable for a draft pedigree tree
, as you need, you will simply glue the necessary work area.
It is very important to draw all the personalities that you learned about from informants. Even those about whom you have virtually no data. It's okay, leave an empty circle - there was a person, and sooner or later you will find information about him.
Step Three: Tree Design
How spreading your family tree will be (sample No. 3) depends on the amount of information collected. Three or four levels (and this is one century) will be able to fit on a standard sheet of whatman paper.
A start. To delve into earlier times, you need to go to archives and libraries. It will be useful to contact namesakes.
In this article, we have only superficially demonstrated how to compose a family tree (a sample is also presented in schematic form). Your family tree can be three-dimensional, it can be illustrated with the arms of the clan, portraits of all relatives - all in your power. The family tree (sample) is an example of your dedicated work that descendants will appreciate.
The continuous connection between generations, existing since the beginning of time, is the guarantor of the preservation of human memory.
Documentary evidence of this memory is the family tree - an example of a reverent attitude to their roots.