Genealogy Chart Templates for FamilySearch: Visualize Your Ancestry

Genealogy Chart Templates for FamilySearch: Visualize Your Ancestry

This guide will show you how to access and use genealogy chart templates within FamilySearch to create visually appealing representations of your family history.

Steps to Access and Use Chart Templates:

1. Log In to FamilySearch: Navigate to FamilySearch.org and log in using your username and password.
2. Navigate to the Person Page: Find the ancestor you want to center your chart on. You can do this by:
   • Using the "Search" menu and selecting "Records" or "Family Tree".
   • Clicking on a name within your existing Family Tree.
3. Access the "Tree" View: Once on the person's page, ensure you're in the "Tree" view. This is usually the default view. If not, click the "Tree" tab or button.
4. Open the Options Menu: In the upper-left corner of the "Tree" view, you'll find a dropdown menu. Click on this menu; it is often indicated by the name of the current chart type displayed.
5. Select a Chart Type: A menu will appear with different chart types available. These might include:
   • Landscape: A horizontal chart showing ancestors to the left.
   • Portrait: A vertical chart displaying descendants below.
   • Fan Chart: A semi-circular chart showing ancestors radiating outwards.
   • Descendancy: Focuses on the descendants of a selected individual.
   Select the chart type that best suits your visualization needs.
6. Customize Your Chart (If Applicable): Some chart types offer customization options. For example, the Fan Chart allows you to choose how many generations to display or change the color scheme. Look for options like "Generations" or "Settings" on the chart itself or within the dropdown menu you used in step 4.
7. Print or Save Your Chart: FamilySearch doesn't directly offer a "save" function for these charts as image files. Instead, utilize your browser's print function to save as a PDF. To do this:
   • Click "Print" from your browser's menu (usually under "File" or accessible by pressing Ctrl+P (Windows) or Cmd+P (Mac)).
   • In the print dialog, change the "Destination" to "Save as PDF" (or "Microsoft Print to PDF" on Windows).
   • Click "Save" and choose a location on your computer to save the PDF file.
8. Take a Screenshot: Another alternative is to take a screenshot of the chart and save it as an image. Use your computer's screenshot functionality (e.g., "Print Screen" on Windows, Cmd+Shift+3 or Cmd+Shift+4 on Mac) and then paste the screenshot into an image editor to save it.

By following these steps, you can easily create visually appealing genealogy charts directly within FamilySearch to help you understand and share your family history.