Family Tree Chart Templates
Printable and fillable charts to visually track your family connections across generations in your Métis research.
Why Use Family Tree Charts?
Visual Clarity
See your ancestors' connections at a glance
Gap Identification
Identify gaps and missing information quickly
Elder Engagement
Help Elders and relatives visualize family relationships
Documentation
Prepare charts for registry applications and family history books
Community Use
Use for workshops, community gatherings, or your personal binder
Complex Networks
Manage complexity of large families and extended kin networks
Métis Research Context
In Métis research, where large families, "dit" names, and extended kin networks are common, family tree charts help you manage complexity clearly and respectfully.
Available Family Tree Templates
4-Generation Pedigree Chart
Record yourself, parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. Ideal for starting your research.
- Perfect for beginners
- Registry application format
- Includes space for dates and places
5-Generation Pedigree Chart
Extend your chart further back to track early fur trade and Métis connections.
- Tracks deeper ancestry
- Ideal for fur trade research
- Covers historical Métis periods
Family Group Sheet Template
Record parents and their children, including birth, marriage, and death details, for each nuclear family unit you research.
- Detailed family unit tracking
- Birth, marriage, death records
- Source citation spaces
Extended Family Tree Worksheet
Map out cousins, aunts, uncles, and interlinked families often present in Métis communities.
- Extended kinship networks
- Community connections
- Collateral family lines
Blank Ancestor Chart (Fillable)
A flexible, fillable chart you can use digitally or by hand to map any part of your family tree.
- Completely customizable
- Digital and print-friendly
- Multiple format options
How to Use These Charts
Download & Print
Download and print for your research binder or digital files
Interview Tool
Use them in interviews with Elders and family members
Archive Research
Bring them to archives or libraries to keep your search focused
Integrate Tools
Pair them with your Name Variations Tracking Sheet and Research Logs
Sample Usage
Registry Applications
Use the 4-Generation Chart to track direct ancestors for registry applications.
Parish Records
Use the Family Group Sheet when researching individual family units, especially when organizing parish register data.
Community Networks
Use the Extended Family Tree Worksheet to see kinship networks relevant for community connection documentation.
Tips & Best Practices
Always start filling out charts in pencil. Family information can change as you discover new records or correct errors. This is especially important in Métis research where name variations and family connections can be complex.
Always note your sources on the charts. Use abbreviation codes that correspond to your master source list. This practice is crucial for registry applications and validating your research.
Include known name variations and nicknames. In Métis families, individuals often went by different names in different contexts (French, English, Indigenous names, or dit names).
Use consistent date formats throughout your charts (DD MMM YYYY, e.g., "15 Jun 1845"). When exact dates are unknown, use "about," "before," or "after" to indicate approximate timing.
Always include locations for births, marriages, and deaths. Use historical place names when appropriate (e.g., "Red River Settlement" rather than "Winnipeg"). This helps establish historical context and community connections.