A family history book turns a tree full of names into something a relative can read. These six steps take you from your research to a finished layout, and the first look is free.
Step 1: Gather your tree in one place
Pick the tree you trust most. If your research is spread across several trees or programs, merge it into one first, because the book is laid out from a single file. Fix obvious gaps now: a missing parent, a date in the wrong century, a name spelled two ways.
Step 2: Export a GEDCOM file
A GEDCOM (.ged) file is a plain text copy of the people, dates, places and family links in your tree. Every major tree site and program can make one:
- Export a GEDCOM file from Ancestry
- Get a GEDCOM file from FamilySearch
- Export a GEDCOM file from MyHeritage
- RootsMagic and Gramps: open your tree, choose the export option in the File menu and pick GEDCOM.
Step 3: Choose the structure
Decide who the book is about. A Descendants book starts with one person and follows their children, grandchildren and onward, one chapter-sized stretch per generation. An Ancestors book goes the other way, through parents and grandparents. For a whole family, start with its oldest person and choose Descendants.
A good family history book has a contents page, a page for every person, family groups, a descendant chart and an index of names, so any relative can find themselves. See how a family history book is organised.
Step 4: Add the stories and photos
A GEDCOM file holds facts and links, not pictures or stories. Gather the photos and write down the stories you want next to the names, and plan to share them alongside the book. The Kinvolume preview lays out the tree pages only.
Step 5: Preview the book
Choose your file in the free preview, pick the starting person and see the pages and the estimated page count. People who may still be alive are shown by name only, unless you turn that off. Save the marked preview PDF to look through on a screen.
Step 6: Print
Printed hardcovers are coming soon, so you cannot order yet. The planned editions are an 8.5 x 11 inch hardcover, $49 in black and white or $69 in colour, shipped in the United States. Join the list and we will write once, when they are available.
Want the whole tree on one sheet?
A book is for reading. To see every branch at once as a single wall chart, try Branchwall, a separate tool for whole-tree charts.