Before You Start: What to Gather
You do not need everything in place before you begin. A family tree is a living document — you add to it over time. But having a few things nearby will make the first session more productive:
- Full names of parents, grandparents, and any known great-grandparents
- Birth and death years where you know them (approximate is fine)
- Birthplaces and occupations if available
- A few family photos, even just from your phone
Step-by-Step: How to Create a Family Tree Online Free
Step 1: Open the tool
Go to FamilyTreeFreeMaker.com. No account needed. The tool loads instantly in your browser.
Step 2: Add your first person
Click to add the first card. Most people start with themselves, a parent, or a grandparent. Fill in what you know: full name, birth year, death year if applicable, birthplace, occupation, a personal note, and a photo.
Step 3: Add parents
Once your first person is on the canvas, click to add their parents. Two new cards appear, connected by a line. Fill in the details for each one.
Step 4: Expand outward
Continue adding family members — siblings, children, partners, grandparents. Each new person connects automatically to their relatives with a visual line.
Step 5: Organize the layout
Use the auto-layout feature to arrange everyone by generation — grandparents at the top, your generation in the middle, children below.
Step 6: Save your tree
Download the file to your computer. Nothing is stored on any server — the file is yours completely.
Step 7: Reload and keep building
Open the tool again, upload your saved file, and continue exactly where you left off.
Step 8: Share with family
Send the file by email, WhatsApp, or any messaging app. Your relatives can open it in their own browser and view or add to the tree.
Tips for Building a Better Tree
Start with one line, then branch out. Complete your mother's side before moving to your father's — it is easier to stay focused.
Use approximate years when you don't know the exact date. "Around 1920" is more useful than nothing.
Add a note for every person. Even one sentence transforms a data entry into a real person.
Call the relatives who remember. An elderly aunt or grandparent is often a walking encyclopedia of family history.
Create Your Family Tree Now
No subscription, no sign-up, no software to install. Open FamilyTreeFreeMaker.com and start with one person. Your family history will grow from there.