Family Tree Template Pack
Family Tree Template Pack: Pedigree Charts & Vertical Family Trees
Enter your ancestors once and let every chart fill in automatically. Seven print-ready pedigree and family tree layouts for Excel and Google Sheets, from 3 to 7 generations.
Preview of the pedigree and vertical family tree charts included in the workbook.
A pedigree chart is a diagram of your direct ancestors: you, your parents, your grandparents, your great-grandparents and so on. Each person has a fixed position in the chart, which makes it easy to see at a glance who is documented and which branches still need research.
This template pack lets you build those charts in a spreadsheet, with consistent layouts that are ready to print, share with relatives or save as a PDF.
How the Template Works
- Open the Ancestor Data sheet. Type your own name in row #1. You are the starting person.
- Work upwards. The Relationship column tells you exactly who goes where, for example #2 Father, #3 Mother and #4 Paternal grandfather.
- Enter dates and places in any style. Entries such as 14 Mar 1921, abt 1850 or bef 1900 are stored as text, so partial and approximate dates work.
- Open any chart sheet. Names, dates and places appear automatically. Print the chart or save it as a PDF.
What’s Inside the Workbook
| Sheet | Description | Print layout |
|---|---|---|
| Ancestor Data | Master entry sheet for up to 127 ancestors (7 generations). | Landscape, fits width |
| 3-Gen Vertical | Classic top-down tree: you, parents, grandparents. | One page, landscape |
| 4-Gen Vertical | Adds great-grandparents. Ideal for school projects and gifts. | One page, landscape |
| 4-Gen Pedigree | Horizontal pedigree chart with 8 great-grandparents. | One page, landscape |
| 5-Gen Pedigree | Horizontal pedigree chart with 16 great-great-grandparents. | One page, portrait |
| 6-Gen Pedigree | Horizontal pedigree chart with 32 ancestors in the last generation. | Two pages, portrait |
| 7-Gen Pedigree | Horizontal pedigree chart with 64 ancestors in the last generation. | Four pages, portrait |
Why Use a Spreadsheet Family Tree?
- Enter data once: One master sheet feeds every chart, so there is no retyping.
- Choose your size: Pick the chart that matches how far back your research goes, from 3 to 7 generations.
- Print-ready layouts: Page layouts are preconfigured for clean printing or PDF export.
- Works with partial information: Approximate dates and unknown places are fine.
- Spot research gaps: Empty slots in a chart show exactly which ancestors are still missing.
- Great for sharing: Give relatives a printed chart, or use the vertical tree for gifts and school projects.
Who Is This Template For?
This pack is designed for beginners who are starting their first family tree as well as experienced genealogists who want a clean, consistent way to visualize their direct lines. It is also a practical companion to DNA research, helping you keep the ancestors behind your matches organized in one place.
Understanding the Ahnentafel Numbering
Ancestors are numbered with the standard Ahnentafel (Sosa-Stradonitz) system. You are #1, your father is #2 and your mother is #3. For any person #n, their father is #2n and their mother is #2n+1. This keeps every ancestor in a fixed place, so all charts stay in sync and every person in your tree has a unique reference number.
Tip: Keep Sources Alongside Your Names
A family tree is only as reliable as the records behind it. Use the Notes column on the Ancestor Data sheet to record where each fact comes from, such as a church record, census or certificate, and mark uncertain connections clearly so they are easy to revisit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a pedigree chart?
A pedigree chart is a diagram that shows your direct ancestors: you, your parents, your grandparents and so on, generation by generation. Each person appears only once, which makes it a compact way to see how far back your documented research reaches and where the gaps are.
What is the difference between a pedigree chart and a family tree?
A pedigree chart follows direct ancestors only. A broader family tree can also include siblings, cousins, spouses and descendants. This template pack focuses on direct-line charts, including a classic top-down vertical tree that is popular for gifts and school projects.
What is the Ahnentafel numbering system?
Ahnentafel (also called Sosa-Stradonitz) numbering gives every ancestor a fixed number. You are #1, your father is #2 and your mother is #3. For any person #n, their father is #2n and their mother is #2n+1. Because every ancestor has a fixed place, all charts in the workbook stay in sync.
How many generations does the template support?
The master entry sheet holds up to 127 ancestors across 7 generations. Chart sheets are provided for 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 generations, so you can choose the size that matches how far back your research goes.
Can I enter partial or uncertain dates?
Yes. Dates are stored as text, so you can type entries such as 14 Mar 1921, abt 1850 or bef 1900. This is helpful in genealogy, where exact dates are often unknown.
Does it work in Google Sheets?
Yes. The template is an .xlsx file that works in Microsoft Excel and can be uploaded to Google Sheets. Enter your data once on the Ancestor Data sheet and the chart sheets fill in automatically.
Can I print the charts?
Yes. Each chart sheet has a print layout set up in advance, from a single landscape page for the 3-, 4-generation and 4-gen pedigree charts to multi-page portrait layouts for the 6- and 7-generation pedigrees. You can also save any chart as a PDF.
Ready to Build Your Family Tree?
Download the free Family Tree Template Pack and start filling in your pedigree charts today.
📥 Download the Free Template PackDNA Academy - Quick Answers
What formats are your free templates available in?
Our templates are available as downloadable Excel/Google Sheets files (for digital tracking).
How do I use a research log effectively?
A research log helps you track which records you’ve searched, what you found, and what’s still missing. We recommend filling it out as you go, it prevents duplicate searches and helps you identify patterns. Our template includes columns for date, source, location, and findings.
Are the templates available in languages other than English?
Currently, our templates are in English only. We are exploring translations into Swedish, Spanish, and German based on user requests. If you need a specific language, contact us and we’ll prioritize it.