Guides
Practical guides for getting the most out of RootsPrint - from your first person to a frame-worthy print.
How to build a family tree (a beginner's guide)
A practical, step-by-step guide to building a family tree from scratch - who to add first, what details to record, how to handle messy real-world families, and how to keep your work safe.
GEDCOM vs JSON - importing and exporting your family tree
What GEDCOM and JSON files actually are, when to use each, what does (and doesn't) survive the trip, and how to move your family tree between apps and devices without losing anything.
How to print a family tree (paper sizes and tips)
How to turn your family tree into a chart worth framing - choosing a focused view centred on one person, capping generations so it fits, letting the paper size fit itself, printing big trees as posters or a Book, and the touches that make it look professional.
How to export a family Book (a printable, navigable PDF)
Turn your whole family tree into a multi-page Book PDF - a cover, a clickable contents list, and one page per family, with links between related pages. A private keepsake to print, bind, and pass down.
Family tree privacy - keeping your genealogy data safe
Family history is personal data about real, living people. Here's why that matters, the everyday mistakes to avoid, and a simple checklist to run before you share a tree.
How to map a complex family - step-parents, adoption, and unknown parents
Real families rarely fit neat boxes. Here's how to record blended families, multiple marriages, adoption, and half-siblings on your family tree without losing accuracy or your patience.
How to back up a family tree stored in your browser
Browser-based trees are private, but that means backups are your job. Here's what "stored in your browser" really means, what could wipe your tree, and a simple backup routine that keeps years of work safe.
How are we related? Cousins, "removed", and great-aunts explained
First cousin once removed? Second cousin? Great-aunt? Here's a plain-English guide to how family relationships are named - and how to get the exact answer for any two people in seconds.
How to spot and fix family tree errors - impossible dates and tangled relationships
A tidy-looking family tree can still be quietly wrong. Here are the common mistakes - impossible dates, misplaced children, duplicate people - and how RootsPrint's built-in checks help you catch them before you print or share.
Free printable family tree template - make your own in minutes
Blank family tree templates are a fine starting point, but a fill-in-yourself tool gets you a cleaner, larger, print-ready chart for free. Here's how to make and print your own family tree template - no account, no software.
A free family tree maker with no account, subscription, or upload
Most genealogy sites want a signup, a subscription, and your family data on their servers. Here's what to look for in a genuinely free family tree maker - and how a private, browser-based tool compares.