CHAPTER V
HOW TO MAKE A FAMILY TREE
If the pedigree-hunter is wise, he will have provided himself with Ancestral Tablets, by Whitmore, as has been previously suggested. They simplify matters greatly.
But he may not have done this, or he may have occasion to jot down his forbears on paper either for his own recollection or for the information of others. Of course, this must often be done, and the following is a simple method to adopt.
We will suppose his “tree” begins with a certain John Browne.
He might thus note particulars, leaving blanks in the way indicated where information is not forthcoming.
The mark signifies that all the children are not noted in his pedigree.
Sometimes an actual tree is drawn, with various branches emanating from a parent stem. This is an interesting method, the effect being clear, but the amateur might find its execution somewhat difficult.
Again, the genealogist may have to write more in narrative form particulars connected with his family tree. The following is an illustration of how this may be done—
“John Browne was succeeded by his brother, James Browne, who was born 1st April 1661, married Sarah, daughter of Michael Jones of Wiltshire, and died in 1735, leaving issue—
- John, of whom presently.
- George, alive in 1771.
- Nicholas, b. 1710, d. —(?).
- Bernard, married Mary Green, 1754.
- Ellen, married —(?) Smith.
- Elizabeth, b. 1705, married John Jones.
- Abigail, married Peter Smith.
- Mary, died in infancy.
- Hannah.
- Rose, died in infancy.
“The eldest son, John Browne, b. 1698, succeeded his father, James, in 1735. He married, 1724, Isabella, daughter of Michael Spencer of Devonshire, and had four sons and three daughters.”