Classic four-generation tree
A traditional top-down layout connecting great-grandparents, grandparents, parents, and children with clean string connections.
Best for
Beginners documenting immediate ancestry up to four generations.
Use case
Family Tree Builder
Free, visual family tree boards for genealogy, reunions, school projects, and keepsakes. Sign up, start from a blank canvas, and pin your family's story together.
Starter ideas for your family tree
Six layout ideas you can recreate on your own board after signing up.
These are starter ideas to spark your board — PintoPin doesn't yet ship pre-built templates. After signing up you'll build your own board from a blank canvas in a few minutes.
Extended family with siblings
A wide horizontal board that includes aunts, uncles, cousins, and in-laws — perfect for capturing the full extended family.
Best for
Large families and reunion planning.
Pedigree chart
A formal pedigree-style layout that highlights direct bloodline ancestry, ideal for genealogy research and DNA matching.
Best for
Serious genealogists and ancestry research.
Photo family tree
Polaroid-style pin nodes featuring photos of each relative, connected with decorative string edges for a scrapbook feel.
Best for
Visual storytelling, gifts, and printed keepsakes.
Descendant tree (ancestor-down)
Starts from a single ancestor and branches downward to show every descendant — great for tracing a surname or family line.
Best for
Family history projects centered on one founding ancestor.
Blended family tree
Flexible connections for step-parents, half-siblings, adopted children, and chosen family. No relationship gets left out.
Best for
Modern, blended, and non-traditional families.
How to make a family tree
A simple six-step guide for anyone starting their first family tree.
- 1
Gather your family information
Collect names, birth dates, photos, and relationships. Talk to older relatives and dig through old photo albums — the richer your source material, the better the final tree.
- 2
Create a free PintoPin account
Sign up in seconds. New boards are private by default, so you can build your tree in peace before sharing it.
- 3
Start a new board
Open a fresh board and give it a name like 'The Yılmaz Family Tree'. The infinite canvas means you can keep growing without running out of space.
- 4
Add a pin for each family member
Create one pin per person. Add a photo, birth and death dates, hometown, and a short note about who they were.
- 5
Connect relationships with strings
Draw string connections between parents and children, spouses, and siblings. Use different colors or styles to distinguish bloodlines, marriages, and adoptions.
- 6
Share or print your family tree
Publish your board to share a link with relatives, embed it on a family site, or export it for printing as a poster or gift.
Frequently asked questions
- Is PintoPin free to use for family trees?
- Yes. You can build, save, and share family tree boards for free. Paid plans only add limits like extra pins per board and advanced sharing.
- How many generations can I add to my family tree?
- There is no hard limit. PintoPin boards are infinite canvases, so you can keep adding pin nodes and connections for as many generations as you can research.
- Can I add photos to my family tree?
- Yes. Every pin node supports photos, so you can upload portraits, wedding photos, or scanned historical images for each relative.
- Can I keep my family tree private?
- Yes. New boards are private by default. You can share with specific people, publish publicly, or keep it just for yourself.
- Can I collaborate with relatives on the same tree?
- Yes. Share the board link with family members so they can comment, react, and suggest pins as you build the tree together.
Ready to build your family tree?
Create a free PintoPin account, open a blank board, and start pinning your family's story today.
Get started — it's free