A reunion family tree should invite connection without turning uncertain memories into permanent facts. Begin with yourself and living relatives, collect records already held by the family, and work backward from one supported relationship to the next. Keep a private research tree separate from the simplified version displayed at the reunion.
Start with known households
Record names as relatives used them, including maiden names, nicknames, and alternate spellings. Ask for approximate dates and places rather than demanding exact answers. Interview more than one branch and note who supplied each fact. FamilySearch's African American research guidance begins with family interviews, census research, and state or regional records.
Build backward with evidence
Connect each parent-child or spouse relationship to a source when possible. Useful records include birth and death certificates, obituaries, marriage records, census schedules, church programs, military files, city directories, deeds, school records, funeral programs, letters, and photographs. An online tree is a lead until its claims are verified.
Use the source citation checklist to record where each fact came from and what the record actually states.
Prepare a reunion display
Show enough generations to be readable. Use branch colors, large type, and a visible legend for confirmed, probable, and unresolved relationships. Provide correction cards or a staffed review table rather than allowing visitors to overwrite the master tree. Protect birth dates, contact details, adoption information, and other private facts about living relatives.
Preserve changes after the reunion
Assign two family stewards to review submissions, contact contributors, resolve duplicates, and publish a dated revision. Store the source log with the editable tree and export a stable PDF. Record unanswered questions for the next research cycle instead of hiding gaps.
Frequently asked questions
How many generations should a reunion tree show?
Show the number that remains legible in the available space; a focused descendant tree from a shared ancestor is often clearer than every known line.
Can we copy information from another online tree?
Treat it as a research clue. Verify names, relationships, dates, and places against records or well-documented family evidence.
Should living relatives appear on a public tree?
Only with appropriate consent and minimal information. Avoid full birth dates, addresses, contact details, and sensitive family circumstances.