Pedigree Charts

Other options include whether to print an individual ID number after each person's name (called a RIN in PAF); whether to print a pedigree index (an alphabetical list of each person on the selected pedigree charts); and whether to include LDS ordinance information, christening dates, or other options unique to your family. You can also opt to print family group records which will correspond to the pedigree chart(s) being printed.

Similar charts may be given a different name by different programs. Your syllabus indicated that you could produce the following printouts:

Pedigree Family Group Records Only. This option will print only family group records within a selected pedigree range--for example, from you to your Great-Grandfather Anderson. You simply stipulate how many generations you want, beginning with a specific individual.

This option will not print the entire pedigree chart(s), only family group records, and it includes many of the features available on family group records. No family group records would be printed for siblings, aunts and uncles, etc.

Pedigree Index Only. This prints an alphabetical list of each person within a selected pedigree range. You specify how many generations, beginning with a specific individual.

Blank Pedigree Chart. The pedigree chart is printed without family records data. It is just a blank form.

Ancestry Chart. This chart is just another name for a pedigree chart. Larger versions of a pedigree chart or ancestry chart can be printed to run vertically on a standard page size or printed on a larger scale (which must be taped together after printing).

At this point in the evolution of genealogy programs, the appearance of charts and reports differ, depending on the program you use. Some programs offer boxes around each individual name/date/location area as well as around the charts themselves. Other programs provide the option of shading within the boxes that contain names, or other ways to make charts more attractive.

Some, like PAF, have companion programs to enhance the appearance of printed charts and reports. PAFCompanion is one of these companion programs which converts data to more attractive printout options including different fan charts. It can be purchased at www.familysearch.org at the same area you downloaded your free program.

Fan Charts. Fan charts are a form of a pedigree chart which allows many more generations of a family to be viewed at once because of its configuration.

Print one of each record indicated above to learn how much space they provide and if your program and printer are functioning the way you believe they will. Remember, you should have entered two or three generations of your family before you try to print information in a fan chart or no results will actually be apparent.