Step-by-step guide

How to add parents, partners, children and siblings to your family tree

There are two ways to add people to a tree. The + button on any card adds a relative of that person and links them automatically. The Add Member button adds someone first and lets you connect them afterwards.

  • 3 min read
  • 4 steps
  • Phone and computer
In this guide: 4 steps+
  1. 1Tap + on the person you are adding to
  2. 2Fill in what you know
  3. 3Or use Add Member at the top
  4. 4Check where everyone landed
  1. 1

    Tap + on the person you are adding to

    Find the person the new relative belongs to and press the + on their card. On a couple's card, the + adds a relative of both of them, which is the quickest way to add their children. On a phone, tap the card instead and the same choices slide up from the bottom.

    Choose Parent, Spouse, Child or Sibling. For a sibling, the new person gets the same parents automatically.

    The + menu on a couple's card: children added here get both parents.
  2. 2

    Fill in what you know

    Type a first name and choose male, female or other. Everything else is optional: last name, date of birth (or just the year), and More details for place, occupation and a short bio.

    Press save. The new card appears in the right generation, already connected.

    Tip: Adding someone who has passed? Untick Currently Living and add the date of passing. Their card and profile change to a memorial style.

    Only the first name is required.
  3. 3

    Or use Add Member at the top

    On a computer, the Add Member button above the tree opens the same form without a relative picked. Use it for someone whose place you have not worked out yet, then open their profile and add the relationship from Family relationships.

    On a phone, add people by tapping their relative's card. It is the fastest way on a small screen.

    Add Member: for people you will connect later.
  4. 4

    Check where everyone landed

    Each generation sits on its own row, labelled Generation I, II, III and so on. Cards show how each person is related to you, so a wrong link is easy to spot.

    Made a mistake? Open the person's profile, remove the wrong relationship under Family relationships, and add the right one.

    Generations are laid out for you, with each person's relationship to you on their card.

Common questions

Can I add step-parents, adopted or foster children?+

Yes. When you link a parent and child from Family relationships in a profile, you can choose biological, step, adopted or foster.

How do I add a second marriage?+

Add another spouse from the person's + button, or from Family relationships in their profile. Each child stays linked to their own two parents.

Is there a limit on how many people I can add?+

Trees you build before signing in hold up to 60 people. Once you sign in there is no practical limit; trees with tens of thousands of people work.

Related guides

Create your family tree

Start a family tree in your browser in under a minute, with no account and no email. Add yourself, then parents, partners and children, and save it free.

Edit a profile

Open anyone on your tree to add their photo, dates, birthplace, occupation, a short biography, or a tribute for someone who has passed.

Invite your family

Invite relatives with a private link, or send a Fill in your branch link so they can add their side from their phone with no account. You approve every change.

Screenshots show a made-up example family. Last updated 23 September 2026.

Ready to try it?

Start your family tree in your browser. It is free, and you do not need an account to begin.

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