családfa

Családfa is a diagrammatic representation of a person’s family relationships and ancestry, typically organized by generations. The Hungarian term combines család (family) and fa (tree), reflecting the metaphor of a branching lineage. A családfa can trace forebears upward to ancestors, down to descendants, or both, and may include spouses and children linked by lines that indicate parent–child and marriage connections. Depending on focus, a genealogical tree may be described as an ascendant (felmenő) tree, a descendant (leszármazott) tree, or a combined family tree that shows multiple branches.

In form, individuals are represented as nodes; vertical or horizontal lines denote parentage, while a marriage line connects partners. Siblings share a common parental line. Some trees incorporate dates, places of birth, death, and other biographical notes to provide context.

Családfa creation relies on historical records and family documents: civil registers, church records, census lists, newspapers, wills, and grave markers, supplemented by interviews and family letters. Today, many researchers use digital tools and databases to construct and visualize trees; software programs such as Gramps, Family Tree Maker, and various online platforms enable collaborative editing and sharing while raising privacy considerations for living individuals.

The családfa serves educational, cultural, and personal purposes, helping individuals understand lineage, heritage, and kinship. It is a common object of hobbyist research as well as professional genealogical practice.