Free Printable Family Tree Templates & Charts
Free Printable Family Tree Templates & Charts
Download and print free blank family tree charts — a four-generation ancestor chart, a family group sheet and a simple blank tree. PDF, US Letter, no sign-up.
By the Public-Libraries.com Editorial Team · Updated October 1, 2026
In this guide
Free family tree templates to download
Four-Generation Ancestor Chart
The classic pedigree chart — you, your parents, grandparents and great-grandparents on one page.
US Letter · PDF
Family Group Sheet
Record one family unit — both parents and all of their children, with dates and places.
US Letter · PDF
Blank Family Tree
A simple three-generation tree — perfect for kids, school projects and getting started.
US Letter · PDF
Every template is a free PDF you can download and print as many times as you like — no account, no watermark. Print extra copies: you’ll want a fresh family group sheet for each couple in your tree.
Which chart should I use?
| Chart | What it shows | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Four-generation ancestor (pedigree) chart | Your direct ancestors only — you, parents, grandparents, great-grandparents | Seeing your bloodline at a glance |
| Family group sheet | One family: two parents plus all their children, with dates and places | Recording details and organizing research |
| Blank family tree | A simple three-generation layout | Kids, school projects, a quick start |
In practice, genealogists use them together: a pedigree chart gives the big picture of your direct line, while a family group sheet holds the detail for each couple — so one pedigree chart is usually backed by many group sheets.
How to fill out a pedigree (ancestor) chart
- Put yourself in the first box on the left. The chart then branches rightward: the top branch is your father’s line, the bottom branch your mother’s.
- Add your parents, then grandparents, then great-grandparents, one person per box, working from what you know toward what you don’t.
- For each person, write their full name (use a woman’s maiden name), and their birth and death dates and places as you find them.
- When a box is confirmed, start a family group sheet for that couple to capture marriage details and all their children.
- Leave blanks as blanks. An honest gap shows you where to research next — don’t guess.
Tips for filling them in
- Use pencil first. Early research changes as you verify facts.
- Write dates consistently — genealogists favor day month year (e.g., 7 Oct 1899) to avoid confusion.
- Always record maiden names for women; they’re the key to the next generation back.
- Note where each fact came from (a census, a certificate, a relative) so your tree holds up and you can find it again.
Where to find the facts (for free)
Once your chart has blanks to fill, the records are mostly free. FamilySearch, the National Archives and Chronicling America are free to everyone, and your public library adds free access to paid databases like Ancestry Library Edition and HeritageQuest. See our full guide on how to research your family tree for free, or find a library with a genealogy collection on our state-by-state list.
Related guides
How to research your family tree for free →Genealogy & local history at the library (by state) →How to use Ancestry Library Edition free →
Frequently Asked Questions
Public-Libraries.com Editorial Team
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