Standalone tool
Descendant Tree Maker
Use this interactive standalone tool to create descendant trees directly in your browser. You can add descendants, edit names and years, add spouses or partners, and visualize your descendant tree instantly without installing anything.
After creating your descendant tree, it can be exported as a high-quality printable JPEG image. This page contains only a DEMO version of the tool. The full version is delivered as a standalone .html file and works even without internet connectivity.
The DEMO version has editing limitations and does not allow full descendant tree customization (every other child field is marked as "Not available in DEMO").
You can download standalone demo version here or try out full screen demo. Instructions for this tool are available here. There is also example data you can try to import.
If you find this interesting you can download full version here.
Notice that full version tool is full screen. Embedded demo in this page forced to fit the page content.
What is this tool for?
Descendant Tree Maker is a practical genealogy tool for creating clean and structured descendant charts directly in your browser. It allows you to build a visual descendant tree starting from a central person or couple and extending through multiple generations. As you enter names and years, the tree updates instantly into a balanced printable layout.
The tool supports up to 7 generations of descendants (target couple / person included) and allows you to add spouses or partners for each descendant. You can also choose which person in each couple continues the bloodline connection so descendant lines remain visually accurate even in more complex family structures.
All names, birth years, death years, and marriage dates are fully editable. Empty boxes are supported for unknown relatives, which makes the tool suitable for real genealogy research where information may be incomplete. The layout, spacing, and connectors are generated automatically, so no manual positioning or drawing is needed.
To start, simply open the standalone HTML file in your browser. Enter family information on the left side and the live descendant tree preview updates instantly on the right side. You can scroll horizontally and vertically to view larger trees.
The tool also includes JSON import and export features, allowing you to save your descendant tree data and continue editing later. Example data can be loaded instantly to demonstrate how the layout works.
When finished, export the tree as a high-resolution printable JPEG image. Export resolution automatically scales based on the size of the tree, making the tool suitable for both standard home printing and large professional prints.
This tool works completely offline and does not require installation, subscriptions, Excel, Word, or any external software. It is compatible with both Windows and Mac computers and works directly in modern web browsers.
Descendant Tree Maker is suitable for genealogy research, documenting family history, creating printable descendant charts, and preparing meaningful family records that can be shared or displayed.
Frequently asked questions
What is a descendant tree?
A descendant tree is a genealogy chart that starts from one person or couple and expands downward through children, grandchildren, and later generations.
What is Descendant Tree Maker used for?
Descendant Tree Maker is used to create structured printable descendant charts directly in your browser. It helps organize descendants visually while keeping family connections clear and readable.
How many generations does the tool support?
The tool supports up to 7 generations of descendants (target couple / person included), allowing you to build large family history charts suitable for genealogy research and printing.
Can I add spouses or partners to descendants?
Yes. Each descendant can include a spouse or partner, and you can choose which person continues the direct descendant line for accurate family connections.
Can I leave some relatives unknown?
Yes. Empty boxes and incomplete information are fully supported, which makes the tool suitable for real genealogy research where some names or years may be missing.
Does the layout update automatically?
Yes. The tool automatically arranges all boxes, spacing, and connecting lines. You do not need to manually position elements or draw connectors.
Can I save my descendant tree and continue later?
Yes. The tool includes JSON export and import features so you can save your tree data and continue editing later on the same or another computer.
What format can the descendant tree be exported as?
The final descendant tree can be exported as a high-resolution JPEG image suitable for printing or sharing digitally.
Is the exported image suitable for large prints?
Yes. JPEG export resolution scales automatically based on the size of the tree, allowing high-quality printing even for large descendant charts.
Does Descendant Tree Maker require installation?
No. The tool is delivered as a standalone HTML file that works directly in your browser without installation or external software.
Does the tool work offline?
Yes. After downloading the standalone HTML file, the tool works completely offline without internet connectivity.
Is Descendant Tree Maker compatible with Windows and Mac?
Yes. The tool works on both Windows and Mac computers using modern web browsers such as Chrome, Edge, Safari, and Firefox.