How to make a family tree book

If you don’t yet have a family tree, you’ll need to create one. Using an online tree building tool is the easiest way to do this, though you may wish to fill out a printable template instead.   

Start with yourself and your closest relatives, then use family history records and newspapers to build the branches back through the generations.   

If you’ve already got a family tree, consider adding more information to its branches before turning it into a book. Are there any important details that you’ve missed? Is there more you could add, like photographs or personal stories that have been passed down?   

The more detail your family tree contains, the more emotive your family tree book will be. Photos, newspaper clippings and handwriting fragments help to paint a vivid picture of your ancestors’ lives, so be sure to include them wherever possible.  

The next step is taking your family tree from a factual chart to a followable story. Think about how you’d like to tell the story of your family history. What, and who, are the most important to include? Your book doesn’t need to be in strict chronological order.   

Depending on what’s important to you, you could arrange your family tree book in any of the following ways:   

• By generation, telling the story of one age group at a time  
• By branches of the family, with your maternal side first then your paternal side next, for example   
• By theme, exploring how migration, military service or certain occupations have shaped your family’s story    

There are two ways you can create your family tree book.   

You can create your book digitally using tools like Microsoft Word, Canva, or genealogy software. You’ll lay out images, text, and charts in a neat, printable format. You can print it at home or use an online service to make a bound copy, which makes a perfect gift for family and friends.   

If you prefer to go old-school, handmade scrapbook-style albums can also work well. You can include printed photos and family mementoes and write information by hand. Be sure to label everything clearly and use acid-free materials to protect your book over time.  

Every family tree book is different. Depending on your family’s unique story, there are different sections you may wish to include. Consider adding the following:   

• A pedigree view of your family tree, which shows the names of your family members and the relationships between them.   
• Biographies. To tell certain ancestors’ stories in more detail, you may want to include a write-up of their life.   
• Personal memories. If you have stories that have been passed down the generations, adding them to your family tree book will add an additional layer of depth.  
• Historical context. It’s a good idea to include some historical background in your book – you may wish to discuss the social, cultural or political context of their lives, or the era-defining moments they experienced.   

What makes a family tree book special is the detail. Use records like census returns, marriage certificates, and military documents to tell the story of a person's life. Where possible, include photographs or scans of the original records.  

Don’t forget the personal touch - quotes from relatives, traditions, even recipes or sayings passed down can add warmth and personality to your family history book.  

Once your family tree book is complete, you can share it with loved ones and reflect together on the ancestors that came before you.   

A family tree book makes an emotive gift for birthdays, anniversaries or holidays.   

If you created your book digitally, keep hold of both a digital and a physical copy. This will ensure you’re preserving your hard work for your loved ones to enjoy in the coming years.