Comparison
Family Tree Types Explained
Family tree terminology can be confusing because many chart names sound similar but serve different genealogy purposes. A pedigree chart, ancestor chart, descendant tree, fan chart, bowtie chart, family group sheet, and research worksheet are not the same thing. This page explains the main family tree types so you can understand the structure before choosing a printable or editable template.
Ancestor-focused charts
Ancestor-focused charts move backward in time from one person to parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and earlier generations. Pedigree charts, ancestor charts, fan charts, and bowtie charts belong mostly in this group.
Descendant-focused charts
Descendant-focused charts move forward in time from one ancestor or ancestral couple to children, grandchildren, and later generations. These are useful for family reunions, surname projects, and documenting living branches.
Research support templates
Research templates are not always meant to be framed. They help organize evidence, record unresolved questions, compare conflicting details, and keep genealogy work structured.
Family tree type comparison matrix
| Type | Best for | Strengths | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family Tree Templates | General family history displays, gifts, framed prints, and editable generation-based layouts | Flexible visual styles, broad generation ranges, suitable for both beginners and family keepsakes | Less precise than a pedigree chart when the main goal is formal direct-line research |
| Pedigree Charts | Direct-line ancestry research and traditional genealogy documentation | Clear parent-to-child structure, easy ancestor tracking, widely understood genealogy format | Usually focused on ancestors only, not broad descendant groups or decorative wall displays |
| Ancestor Charts | Showing a person's parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and earlier generations | Useful for organizing known ancestry and identifying missing ancestor positions | Does not show cousins, siblings, descendants, or complete family groups |
| Descendant Trees | Following the children, grandchildren, and later descendants of one ancestor or couple | Helpful for family reunions, surname projects, and documenting branches from a known starting person | Can become wide and complex when families have many children across several generations |
| Family Tree Fan Charts | Compact ancestor overviews and presentation-focused prints | Efficient radial structure, visually distinctive layout, strong option for wall display | Less room for notes and harder to use for detailed research analysis |
| Bowtie Family Trees | Showing both paternal and maternal ancestry from one central person | Balanced layout for two family sides, especially useful when both lines are equally important | Not ideal for descendant tracking or source-heavy research notes |
| Other Research Templates | Genealogy organization, brick wall analysis, research tracking, and family unit documentation | Supports the research process before or alongside the final family tree display | Usually not designed as the final decorative family tree print |
Genealogy template terminology
What each template type means
Pedigree chart
A pedigree chart is a direct-line ancestry chart. It usually starts with one person and moves backward through parents, grandparents, and earlier ancestors.
Best for
Clean research structure for direct ancestors.
Ancestor chart
An ancestor chart is a broader term for charts that show a person's earlier generations. A pedigree chart is one common type of ancestor chart.
Best for
Providing focus on ancestry rather than descendants.
Descendant tree
A descendant tree starts with one ancestor or couple and shows later generations descending from them.
Best for
Family reunions, surname branches, and documenting descendants from a known ancestor.
Fan chart
A fan chart arranges ancestors in curved segments around a starting person, creating a compact radial overview.
Best for
Visual ancestor displays where space efficiency matters.
Bowtie chart
A bowtie chart places one person in the center and shows paternal ancestry on one side and maternal ancestry on the other.
Best for
Large tree where both sides of a person's ancestry should be shown in a balanced layout.
Family group sheet
A family group sheet records one family unit, usually parents and children, with dates, places, and relationship details.
Best for
Documenting family units and checking whether research details are complete.
Brick wall worksheet
A brick wall worksheet helps organize evidence around an unresolved genealogy problem.
Best for
Collecting evidence around an unresolved genealogy problems.
Use pedigree charts for direct ancestry
A pedigree chart is the most structured choice when you are tracing a person's parents, grandparents, and earlier generations. It is usually better for research than for showing large descendant groups.
Use fan charts for compact ancestor display
A fan chart is useful when you want many generations visible in a visually balanced format. It works especially well as a display chart, but it leaves less room for research notes.
Use descendant trees for family branches
A descendant tree is the better structure when you start with an older ancestor and want to show children, grandchildren, and later generations.
Use research templates before final design
Research templates help organize unresolved questions, family groups, evidence, and genealogy problems before the information is ready for a finished chart.
Printable charts vs genealogy software
Printable family tree charts and genealogy software solve different problems. Software is useful for storing records, attaching sources, and maintaining a long-term research database. Printable charts are better when you want a finished visual result that can be reviewed, framed, shared, or archived.
Many genealogy projects need both. A researcher may keep source details in software or notes, then use a printable pedigree chart, fan chart, or family tree template to present the confirmed family structure clearly.
Decorative charts vs research charts
Decorative family tree templates are made for presentation, gifts, and wall display. Research charts and worksheets are made for accuracy, evidence organization, and problem solving. A good genealogy workflow often starts with research templates and ends with a clean printable family tree display.
Browse Research TemplatesFormat differences
Different genealogy formats solve different problems
Printable templates
Best for people who want a finished family tree they can print, frame, archive, or share with relatives. Printable templates are especially useful when the final result matters visually.
Editable PDF templates
Best when users want to type names and dates directly into the file, correct mistakes, and reuse the same layout without design software.
Online genealogy platforms
Best for building research databases, attaching records, and collaborating. They are useful for ongoing research, but they are not always ideal for finished wall-display prints.
Research worksheets
Best for organizing evidence before the information is ready for a final chart. They support the thinking and documentation part of genealogy.
Family Tree Templates
Family tree templates including classic, vintage and divided style variations.
Explore category → Research-focusedPedigree Charts
Pedigree chart templates across multiple generations, including traditional ancestor charts and bowtie variations.
Explore category → Compact layoutFamily Tree Fan Charts
Printable family tree fan charts for compact and visually beautiful multi-generation displays.
Explore category →Related pages
Continue exploring
Best Family Tree Template for Beginners
A decision guide for choosing a first simple family tree template.
Family Tree Templates
Browse printable and editable family tree templates for general family history projects.
Pedigree Charts
Browse traditional genealogy charts for direct-line ancestor research.
Family Tree Fan Charts
Browse radial ancestor charts for compact multi-generation display.
Related tools
Continue with tool instead of printable PDF template
Etsy shop
Browse the template categories in the Etsy shop
Once you know which template type fits your goal, visit the Etsy shop to browse the available Family Tree Templates, Pedigree Charts, and Fan Charts.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main types of family tree charts?
The main family tree chart types include traditional family trees, pedigree charts, ancestor charts, descendant trees, fan charts, bowtie charts, family group sheets, and research worksheets.
What is the difference between an ancestor chart and a descendant tree?
An ancestor chart moves backward in time from one person to earlier generations. A descendant tree moves forward in time from one ancestor or couple to their children, grandchildren, and later descendants.
What is a pedigree chart used for?
A pedigree chart is used for direct-line ancestry research. It helps organize parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and earlier ancestors in a clear structure.
What is a bowtie family tree?
A bowtie family tree places one person in the center and shows paternal ancestry on one side and maternal ancestry on the other side.
Are fan charts used by genealogists?
Yes. Fan charts are useful for viewing many ancestor generations at once, although they are usually better for overviews and display than for detailed research notes.
What genealogy chart is best for research?
Pedigree charts, ancestor charts, family group sheets, brick wall worksheets, and research logs are usually more useful for genealogy research than decorative display charts.