Free Online Family Tree Maker: Build, Save and Print Your Family History
Every family has names, photographs and stories worth preserving. Our online family tree maker helps you organize those details into a clear visual tree that your family can understand, update and keep for the future.
✓ No credit card required
✓ Private by default
✓ Simple step-by-step editor
✓ GEDCOM import & export
✓ Printable PDF, PNG & SVG
Start With the People You Know
You do not need complete records or professional genealogy experience to begin. A name and one known relationship are enough.
Start with yourself, a parent, a grandparent or the person whose ancestry you want to explore. Add the information you know now and return later when you find new records or speak with other relatives.
For example, you may know that your great-grandfather was called William and lived in Ohio, but you may not know his exact date of birth. Add his name and location, mark the date as uncertain, and update the profile after finding a reliable document.
This approach is better than guessing simply to fill an empty field. A useful family tree separates confirmed facts from possibilities that still need research.
How the Online Family Tree Builder Works
1. Add Your First Person
Enter a name to create the first profile. Dates, places, photographs and notes are optional, so you can begin even if you have limited information.
2. Connect Relatives
Add parents, partners, children and siblings. The family tree maker places each person in the appropriate generation automatically.
3. Add Meaningful Details
Include dates, places, photographs, occupations and personal stories. Record the source behind important information.
4. Review and Export
Check spellings, dates and relationships before downloading your tree in PDF, PNG, SVG, or GEDCOM formats.
Record More Than Names and Dates
A family tree is a visual record of how people are connected across generations. You can record:
- Full names, birth names and alternate spellings
- Birth, marriage and death dates & locations
- Parents, partners, children, biological, adoptive, foster and stepfamily relationships
- Occupations, military service, and travel information
- Photographs, scanned documents, and personal memories
Features That Make Family History Easier to Organize
- Automatic Generation Layout: Keeps generations aligned automatically as people are added.
- Flexible Relationship Types: Supports biological, adoptive, foster, step, and blended families.
- Photographs and Family Stories: Attach profile photos and personal memories.
- Source Notes & Status: Track information as Confirmed, Estimated, Unverified, or Researching.
- Private Collaboration: Invite family members with customized viewing/editing controls.
Import Existing Research With a GEDCOM File
If you already have a tree in another genealogy program, you may be able to move the structured information by exporting a GEDCOM file.
A GEDCOM file commonly contains:
- Names & Family relationships
- Dates & Places
- Notes & Source references
Note: Photographs, videos and scanned documents may not be stored inside the GEDCOM file. Depending on the program used to create it, media files may need to be transferred separately.
GEDCOM Import Checklist
- Create a complete backup in your current genealogy program.
- Export the latest version of the tree as a .ged file.
- Check whether photographs and documents are stored separately.
- Import the GEDCOM file into a new tree.
- Review the total number of people imported.
- Check names, dates and relationship types.
- Confirm that notes and source details were transferred correctly.
- Keep the original file until the imported tree has been fully reviewed.
Download, Print or Transfer Your Tree
Choose an export format based on how you plan to use the finished tree.
| Format | Best use | Main advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Home or professional printing | Maintains a consistent page layout | |
| PNG | Email, websites and messaging | Easy to open and share |
| SVG | Posters, banners and large displays | Can be enlarged without blurry text |
| GEDCOM | Moving data to compatible genealogy software | Preserves structured names, dates and relationships |
Before exporting, check that names are readable, relationship lines are visible and important information has not been cut off. For oversized trees, consider landscape orientation, larger poster sizes, or printing separate family branches.
Choose a Template That Fits Your Project
You do not always need to begin with a blank canvas. Select a template based on the number of generations, relationship types, and final use.
| Template | Recommended use |
|---|---|
| Three-generation tree | Parents, children and grandparents |
| Four-generation tree | A balanced beginner genealogy project |
| Ancestor chart | Following one person’s direct ancestry |
| Descendant chart | Showing descendants of one ancestor or couple |
| Family tree with photos | Albums, gifts and memorial displays |
| Blended-family tree | Step, adoptive and multiple-parent relationships |
| School-project tree | A simple classroom assignment |
| Family reunion tree | A large chart for relatives to review |
| Fictional family tree | Novels, games and character planning |
Protect Information About Living Relatives
A family tree may contain sensitive personal information. Avoid publishing these details publicly:
- Full birth dates of living people
- Home addresses, email addresses, & personal phone numbers
- Medical, financial, or identification numbers
- Private adoption info, family disputes, or unauthorized photos
Maintain two versions: a Private research tree for detailed notes, and a Shareable tree with private details of living people removed.
Practical Uses for Your Family Tree
Begin Genealogy Research
Start with a 3 or 4 generation chart to easily identify which empty fields require more research.
Prepare a School Project
Use clear templates with large text. A “people who are important to me” chart works great for non-traditional families.
Family Reunion Display
Create a descendant chart beginning with a shared ancestor for relatives to review before final printing.
Preserve a Memorial
Combine photos, dates, and short biographies to remember relatives who have passed away.
Plan Fictional Worlds
Writers and game creators can track marriages, heirs, ages, and rival branches easily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the family tree maker free?
You can start building without entering payment information. Any optional paid feature should be identified clearly before you choose to use it.
Do I need an account to begin?
You can begin without an account when guest editing is available. An account is recommended for secure online backup, access from different devices and private collaboration.
Is my family tree visible to the public?
No. A newly created tree should remain private by default. It becomes accessible to other people only when you invite them or deliberately change the sharing settings.
Who owns the information I add?
You retain control over the family information you enter. Review the website’s privacy policy and terms for details about storage, permitted use, deletion and account closure.
Can I delete my family tree?
The account or tree settings should include an option to delete individual trees. Export a backup first if you may need the information later.
Can I build a family tree with photographs?
Yes. Add a profile image to help relatives recognize each person. You can also include a caption explaining who appears in the photograph, when it was taken and where it came from.
Does the builder support adoption and blended families?
Yes. You can represent biological, adoptive, foster, step and multiple-parent relationships. Review every label before sharing or printing the tree.
What is a GEDCOM file?
GEDCOM is a widely used file format for transferring structured genealogy information between compatible programs. It can include names, relationships, dates, places, notes and sources.
Can I print my entire family tree?
Yes, although a very large tree may not remain readable on ordinary paper. Use a landscape layout, a poster-size export or separate charts for individual branches.
Which format should I use for printing?
Use PDF for most home and professional printing. Choose SVG if the tree needs to be enlarged for a poster or banner.
Tips for Building a More Accurate Family Tree
- Work Backward One Generation at a Time: Confirm parents and grandparents before going further back.
- Record Alternate Names: Include birth surnames, nicknames, and historical spelling variations.
- Do Not Turn Possibilities Into Facts: Mark uncertain data as “estimated” or “needs verification”.
- Compare More Than One Detail: Match dates, places, occupations, and relatives—not just names.
- Record the Source: Note where each fact came from to easily verify later.
- Back Up Major Changes: Download GEDCOM and PDF copies after major updates.
Why Choose This Online Family Tree Maker?
Begin with one person, add details gradually, represent diverse family structures, protect privacy, and export portable backup copies anytime.