ættartré

Attartré, commonly translated as a “family tree” or “lineage,” is a diagram or written record that documents a person’s ancestors and their connections. It is typically organized as a tree showing generations, either from a common progenitor upward to present-day descendants or from descendants back to their ancestors. The term comes from the Icelandic words ætt (kin, clan) and tré (tree), literally a kin-tree.

Uses and forms vary: an attartré can be a hand-drawn chart, a list, or a digital genealogical tree. It is used in genealogical research, heraldry, inheritance matters, and cultural history to illustrate kin networks. Such trees often include names, birth and death dates, places, marriages, and offspring, and may extend across many generations.

Construction and sources: Attartré are compiled from archival materials such as parish registers, census records, wills, land records, and genealogical narratives. Oral tradition can supplement written records, especially where documentation is sparse. Because records may be incomplete or inconsistent, researchers typically note uncertainties and mark connections that are not definitively proven.

Variants and scope: Some attartré trace a single individual's ancestors, while others map extended families or noble lineages. In Nordic and Icelandic contexts, kinship and lineage have historically played roles in social structure, property rights, and political alliances, which genealogical trees often reflect.

Modern usage and limitations: With digital tools, attartré are widely created, shared, and updated. However, accuracy depends on the availability and reliability of sources, naming conventions, and the interpretation of kinship terms.