How to Make a Family Tree for Your Photo Album

Family memories and traditions become precious pieces of the puzzle in your heritage. Weave together the rich threads of your family history by creating a family tree photo album. Learn how to make a family tree for your photo album in just a few easy steps!

A custom family tree answers so many questions about your ancestors and honors your immediate family at the same time. You can make a large or small family tree based on your needs.

Keep reading to discover how to make family tree designs using Mixbook’s versatile and user-friendly editor.

How do you make a family tree chart?

Making a family tree chart is often easiest on paper first, starting with yourself and working backward. Draw a family tree with boxes and names, featuring the matriarch and patriarch of the family (often grandparents) at the top two spaces. Draw lines down from each set of parents to their children, and likewise for the children’s children. Marriages will come in on the sides and new branches grow underneath each couple for the children.

Mixbook’s software makes it so easy to create beautiful family tree layouts for any project.

Who should be on my family tree?

When designing a family tree photo book, you can choose to make a simple or complex family tree. Create a simple family tree with your immediate family – your children, siblings, spouse, and parents. For a more complete and complex family tree, include aunts, uncles, and cousins.

What do you need before making a family tree?

Before designing a family tree photo book, gather photos of each person you plan to include. Also, confirm correct spellings of full names, including maiden names and middle names. Determine how many generations you can identify to see the scope of your family tree.

How to Make Family Tree Layouts

Creating a family tree design for your family history photo book adds a truly meaningful element you can’t achieve with standard themes and stickers. This special feature is unique to your family alone.

Getting Organized

Organize your ideas and materials before starting a family tree.

• Create a folder for all the family tree photos. Include one portrait or headshot for each family member.
• List relations and birthdates on a spreadsheet. Outline your family lineage in order by parents to children. Include birthdates and any other special information you wish to include.
• Log into Mixbook.com so you can save your work. Then, decide whether you’ll be more comfortable editing an existing family tree template or designing one from scratch.

Tip - Advances in technology with DNA tests and ancestry programs make it easier than ever to discover more about your family history. If you have access to this information, consider cross-referencing your family tree with your ancestry account to make even deeper connections.