How to Build a Family Tree Website

Don't begin building a family tree website until you've gathered enough information. "Enough" means at least a couple of generations back, if possible. Of course, you will be adding more names and more details over time, but you want to have something to actually display on your chart before you begin your site.

First, and most important, get organized and learn the format genealogists use to accurately display genealogy charts. Learn the abbreviations used to describe an individual's year of birth, marriage(s) and death, among others. RootsWeb has an extensive list of these abbreviations. Also, study the methods used by both professional and amateur genealogists to find often obscure information. Even if you are just an amateur, learning to use professional methodology will ultimately make your efforts easier, and the results more reliable. Also, learn to be objective and logical about the information you uncover. The fact that one of your ancestors was named Campbell and emigrated from Scotland does not automatically make you laird of the manor. Sometimes, finding truly reliable information can be like searching for the proverbial needle in a haystack. That is another reason a website can be such a useful tool for its owner, as well as for those who visit searching for clues.

There are two basic options for creating a website. The first is to use a simple online site-building tool provided by a host, such as the one Tripod offers. The other is to build a site on your computer and then load it via FTP onto your host's server. If you choose to build a custom website, you will need to know (or learn) how to use a website design program such as Expression Web or Dreamweaver, know or learn HTML, or find someone else to build the website for you. There are many online sites, such as Markup Tutorials, that offer tutorials covering website design. You can also find books to teach you how to build anything from a basic site to a more complex one.

Decide what information you want to display. Will you be displaying an actual chart? Do you have photos or paintings of ancestors you would like to display? If so, you might want to have a hyperlink with each photo to a subpage that shows the photo, its date and any important details. In fact, while a chart is important to show basic information, as is a generational timeline, if you want to tell a story about your great-grandparents, for instance, you will want to provide a hyperlink from their names to a subpage where visitors can access this information. You might also want to have a hyperlink to individuals of note to whom you want to devote a separate page.

Include a contact page, and maybe a links page. You might even want to offer a Facebook or MySpace link to help you more easily connect with family and friends. Also include either a form or an e-mail link that visitors can use to send you their own charts, images or other data.