Simple family tree template
This is the smallest useful family tree: two parents and the children they had together. It is the shape most people picture when they hear the words “family tree”, and it is the right place to begin if you have never built one before.
Start here even if you eventually want something much larger. A tree grows outward naturally — once these four people are in place, you can add grandparents above them or partners and children below them without redrawing anything. The layout rearranges itself every time you add someone.
Simple family tree template
Four people across two generations: a father and mother, and their son and daughter.
Who it's for
- Anyone making a family tree for the first time and wanting the fastest possible start.
- School projects, where the assignment is usually a child, their parents, and their siblings.
- A quick keepsake — a single household captured on one page, with photos.
How to fill it in
Open the template. It arrives with roles instead of names: Father, Mother, Son, Daughter.
Click each person and replace the role with their real name. Leave a name blank if you genuinely do not know it — an empty card is honest, and you can fill it in later.
Add a photo to each person. Faces are what make a tree feel like family rather than a diagram.
Add birthdays under life events. Dates unlock the timeline and map views later on.
Add or remove children as needed — the template ships with two, but a family can have any number.
Tips
Do not worry about getting it complete. Every tree starts wrong and gets corrected; that is normal genealogy.
If a couple separated, you can still record both parents — a tree records parentage, not marital status.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. You can open the template, edit it, add photos and share it for free. A free account holds one tree with up to 12 people, which is more than this template needs.
Yes. Select either parent and add a child, as many times as you need. The chart re-arranges itself to fit.
Yes. Select the father or the mother and add their parents. The template is a starting point, not a limit — most people outgrow it within an hour.