Once you’ve started researching your family tree and started to figure out where your family originated from, the next important step is how to organize all the wonderful things you’ve discovered about your family. As you begin your research, you will probably find that you quickly develop a mountain of facts, this is where a family tree diagram can be your best friend. One of the easiest ways to keep all your research together is to use the family tree pyramid diagram, it’s not as detailed as other methods, but it’s incredibly good at keeping things organized.

In essence, all it really is is an inverted organizational chart. Take your notebook and draw a triangle in it, making sure it points towards the bottom of the page. Divide the triangle horizontally. Each layer shows a separate generation of you. So a three-layer pyramid will include your grandparents, but a four-layer pyramid will include your great-grandparents.

Write your name in the lower triangle. Bisect the next section. Write your father’s name in one section and your mother’s name in the other. Divide the top layer into four sections and fill in the names of your grandparents. The top layer will have eight spaces, you must put the names of each of your great-grandparents.

This family tree structure has many advantages. First of all, it is easy to understand and create. You don’t need many materials, plus your family members are easy to identify. It can be used as a quick visual reminder and also as a base for other work.

However, there are several drawbacks to this diagram. First of all, it doesn’t allow you to have a lot of detail. It is rare that a family is only two people and one child, the pyramid diagram does not allow you to elaborate on that. It doesn’t have areas where you can write down brothers and sisters, or second marriages. It can get narrow if more names are added on the diagram.

The family tree pyramid diagram can work for you in many ways. As stated above, you can use it as an organizational tool to keep your information in order. Classifying your ancestors if you use color coding for your research can be very easy. It is an excellent tool to introduce children to their family tree. Kids can get confused with uncles, aunts, second marriages, etc., but the pyramid makes it really easy to follow.

The family tree pyramid diagram can add a lot of value if you take the time to think about its use.