Create a Six-Generation Family Tree on Google Sheets

Creating a six-generation family tree can be a fascinating and rewarding project. With the help of Google Sheets, you can easily visualize your ancestry and keep track of your heritage. In this article, we will guide you through the process of creating a beautiful and comprehensive family tree on Google Sheets.

What Does a Six-Generation Family Tree Look Like?

A six-generation family tree can trace back up to 32 great-great-great-grandparents. Our layout on Google Sheets is designed to fit on a single landscape page, making it convenient to take with you to libraries and archives. Take a look at the image below to get an idea of what the tree looks like:

If you prefer a smaller tree, we also have a guide to create a five-generation family tree on Google Sheets. But if you’re looking for larger trees, we’ve got you covered too! Check out our guides for seven, eight, nine, and ten-generation family trees on Google Sheets.

Step 1: Set Column Widths and Row Heights

To start, create a new Google Sheets spreadsheet. Adjust the column widths and row heights as follows:

For column widths:

• Set columns A, D, G, J, M, and O to a width of 121 pixels.
• Set columns B, C, E, F, H, I, K, and L to a width of 8 pixels.
• Set column N to a width of 12 pixels.

For row heights:

• Select rows 1 to 40 and set the height to 18 pixels. This will help fit the entire tree on a single landscape page.

Step 2: Begin with the Home Person

We’ll start from the left side of the spreadsheet. Follow these steps to create the first name box:

1. Merge cells A18 and A19.
2. Add an outer border to the merged cells.
3. Set the font type to “Archivo Narrow,” size 9.
4. Align the text to the left and center vertically in the merged cells.
5. Choose a light blue color for male names or a light orange color for female names.

Step 3: Create the Father’s Area

Copy and paste the merged cells A18 and A19 to cell D10. Make sure to adjust the background color to light blue if necessary.

Step 4: Copy the Father’s Area to Male Ancestors up to the 5th Generation

Copy the merged cells D10 and D11 and paste them into the cells listed below to complete the father’s area for each ancestor:

• 3rd generation: G6, G22
• 4th generation: J4, J12, J20, J28
• 5th generation: M3, M7, M11, M15, M19, M23, M27, M31

We’ll handle the sixth and final generation later in the process.

Step 5: Create the Mother’s Name Area

Copy and paste the merged cells A18 and A19 to cell D26. Adjust the background color to light orange.

Step 6: Copy the Mother’s Area to Female Ancestors up to the 5th Generation

Copy the merged cells D26 and D27 and paste them into the cells listed below to complete the mother’s area for each ancestor:

• 3rd generation: G14, G30
• 4th generation: J8, J16, J24, J32
• 5th generation: P5, P9, P13, P17, P21, P25, P29, P33

We’ll address the 6th generation later.

Step 7: Create the 6th Generation

The 6th generation has a different format compared to the previous ones. Each person in this generation will be represented by a single row due to space limitations.

First, set the background color of cell O3 to light blue and add an outer border. Set the background color of cell O4 to light orange and add an outer border as well.

Copy these two cells until cell O34 to fill the entire 6th generation row with alternating blue and orange cells.

Step 8: Create Connection Lines from the Home Person to Parents

Create a vertical line using borders:

• Select cells C11 to C26.
• Add a left border to these cells.

Create three horizontal lines using borders:

• Add a top border to cell C11.
• Add a bottom border to cell C26.
• Add a bottom border to cell B18.

Step 9: Connection Lines from 2nd to 3rd Generation

Create the first set of connection lines at this level:

• Add a left border to cells F7 to F14.
• Add a top border to cell F7.
• Add a bottom border to cell F14.
• Add a bottom border to cell E10.

Now, copy these bordered cells to the other ancestors at this level:

• Copy cells E7 to F7 to E14 to F14.
• Paste the copied cells into cell E23.

Step 10: Connection Lines from 3rd to 4th Generation

Create the connection lines at the 3rd to 4th generation:

• Add a left border to cells I5 to I8.
• Add a top border to cell I5.
• Add a bottom border to cell I8.
• Add a bottom border to cell H6.

Copy these bordered cells to the other ancestors at this level:

• Copy cells H5 to I5 to H8 to I8.
• Paste the copied cells into cells H13, H21, and H29.

Step 11: Connection Lines from 4th to 5th Generation

Create the connection lines at the 4th to 5th generation:

• Add a left border to cells L4 to L5.
• Add a top border to cell L4.
• Add a bottom border to cell L5.
• Add a bottom border to cell K4.

Copy these bordered cells to the other ancestors at this level:

• Copy cells K4 to L4 to K5 to L5.
• Paste the copied cells into cells K8, K12, K16, K20, K24, K28, and K32.

Step 12: Connection Lines from 5th to 6th Generation

Create a single horizontal line for the connection at the 5th to 6th generation:

• Add a bottom border to cell N3.
• Copy cells N3 to N4.
• Paste the copied cells until cell N33.

Step 13: Print Settings

When printing your Google Sheets spreadsheet with a seven-generation family tree, use the following settings:

• Paper format: A4
• Page orientation: Landscape
• Hide gridlines before printing

Ready-to-Use Templates

If you want to save time, we have pre-designed templates available for Google Sheets. These templates are perfectly arranged, and all you need to do is fill in the information!

We offer two versions in the spreadsheet package:

1. The classic template with names and dates.
2. The simplified template that only displays names.

Now you’re ready to create a six-generation family tree on Google Sheets! If you need additional help, feel free to visit Crawlan.com for more resources and tutorials. Happy ancestor hunting!