Genogram

Make a genogram

Free · no sign-up

What a genogram is

“A genogram, also known as a family diagram, is a pictorial display of a person's position and ongoing relationships in their family's hereditary hierarchy.”
From Wikipedia — Genogram — CC BY-SA 4.0

Maps like a genogram

When to use a genogram

  • Family

    Draw three generations: squares for males, circles for females, a line joining each couple.

  • Social work

    Draw one with a family to spot patterns that repeat from parents to children.

  • History

    Record your family's history: who married whom, their children and their grandchildren.

How to make a genogram

  1. 1Grandparents
  2. 2Their children
  3. 3Grandchildren
Make a genogram

Helpful resources

Mind maps & webs

More mind maps & webs

Questions

How is it different from a family tree?
It goes beyond a traditional family tree by allowing the user to visualize social patterns and psychological factors that punctuate relationships, especially patterns that repeat over the generations.From Wikipedia — Genogram — CC BY-SA 4.0
Do I need to download or install anything?
No. It runs in your browser: press Make a genogram and this example opens ready to edit. There is nothing to install and no trial that runs out.
What do the genogram symbols mean?
A square is a male and a circle a female. A cross through a shape marks someone who has died. A horizontal line joins a couple; one slash across that line means a separation and two slashes a divorce. Children hang from the couple's line in birth order, oldest on the left, and a dashed line to a child shows an adoption.
Can I show how close or strained relationships are?
Yes, with line styles and colours. Connect two people, then make the line solid, dashed or dotted and give it a colour, for close, distant or in conflict. Put a small key in a note on the board so anyone reading it knows what each line means.
Do I need an account?
No. Press the button and start. It saves in this browser; sign in only if you want it on your other devices too.
Can I print it?
Yes. Print it from the board's settings, or pick “Save as PDF” in the print window to keep a file.