Fan chart vs pedigree chart: which should you use?
Family history tools talk about fan charts, pedigree charts, descendant charts and family trees as if everyone knows the difference. Here is a plain guide, and which one suits a poster.
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Pedigree chart
A pedigree chart starts with one person and branches back through their parents, grandparents and further. Each generation is a column or a row. It is the most common chart in genealogy, it is easy to read, and gaps in your research are obvious. It is what most people mean by “a family tree chart” on the wall. See the pedigree chart generator.
Fan chart
A fan chart shows the same ancestors in a half circle or a full circle. The person sits at the centre, parents are in the ring around them, grandparents in the next ring, and so on. It fits many generations into a compact, attractive shape, but the segments get narrow and hard to write on in the outer rings. Fan charts are common in genealogy programs. Gedcom Art does not draw fan charts. If you want a round, decorative shape, the tree of life is the alternative.
Descendant chart
A descendant chart works the other way round. It starts with an ancestor and shows their children, grandchildren and so on. It is the natural shape for a reunion, because everyone present descends from the person at the top. See family reunion charts for how to build one.
Family tree of life
A tree of life is more of a picture than a chart. Ancestors sit on the branches of a drawn tree, with roots at the bottom. It is the best choice for a gift or a living room wall, and it can show a lot of people when printed large. Read more about the tree of life design.
Which should you choose?
| You want… | Choose |
|---|---|
| A clear reference you can read names from | Pedigree chart, in columns or rows |
| A decorative piece to frame and give | Tree of life |
| Every cousin and their family on one sheet | Wall chart with cousins switched on |
| Many generations in a compact round shape | A fan chart from family tree software (not Gedcom Art) |
You can try the different designs on the same family in the sample, and switching designs keeps your photos and title.
Frequently asked questions
Is a pedigree chart the same as a family tree?
Not exactly. A pedigree chart shows only direct ancestors. A family tree is a wider term that can include siblings, cousins and descendants.
Does Gedcom Art make fan charts?
No. It draws pedigree-style wall charts and the tree of life.
Which chart is best for a poster?
A pedigree wall chart is best for reading, and a tree of life is best for display. Many people make one of each.
Ready to see your family on the wall?
It takes a few minutes, and you can try it with a sample family first.