Patent Publication Number: US-2005116954-A1

Title: Method and system for generating a family tree

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The disclosed invention relates to a method and system for generating a family tree. More specifically, the disclosed invention relates to a method and system for generating a graphical output display of a family tree in conjunction with a chronological timeline. Displayed information may include names, dates, pictures of family members, and pictures of significant people or events that have taken place at specific dates along the chronological time line.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Genealogy, or the investigation of family history and ancestry, has become of significant interest to people over recent years. Many people have gone to great lengths to collect pedigree information, including names, birth and death dates, marriage information, emigration information, and the like, on their ancestry as far back as information sources will allow. Traditionally, this information may have been sketched out or compiled by hand in chart-form or in a family journal. In recent years however, computers have been used to a greater degree to compile, electronically manipulate, and display such information.  
      For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,416,325 B2 to Gross discloses a genealogical analysis tool, namely a computer and computer program to generate a family tree. The thrust of this reference is to overcome the traditional two-dimensional nature of a family tree chart by providing a simulated three-dimensional display of family relationships via a computer monitor. The display of Gross can be rotated on the screen about any of three axes to disclose and clarify family relationships for the user. The information displayed consists of names, dates, and lines representing family relationships, which is typical of any prior art family tree display. Individuals may be targeted, and additional information on an individual may be retrieved, as a secondary operation.  
      Another example is U.S. Pat. No. 6,570,567 B1 to Eaton, hereby incorporated by reference herein, which discloses a system and method for using a graphical interface for the presentation of genealogical information. This reference shows a family tree system that may be networked to a variety of users via remote terminals for input, use, and display purposes. The output is generally in traditional form, using names, dates, and lines representing relationships among family members, although specific individuals and/or relationships having certain characteristics may be emphasized. As with Gross, additional information on an individual may be retrieved via secondary operation. The useful output is primarily limited to computer monitor display.  
      Thus there is a need in this area of innovation for an advancement which overcomes the display of basic, mundane charted information, and retrieval and manipulation of such basic information, on a computer resulting in a traditional family tree output display. There is a need for a colorful, graphical family tree output which results in an aesthetically pleasing display, including images, photographs of family members, colorful graphics, and the like, all displayed in conjunction with a chronological timeline the dates of which are synchronized with dates on the family tree, and which includes imagery regarding significant events and people throughout the historical period of the timeline. There is a need for such hardcopy output that will be sought after and displayed by family members for both informative and aesthetic reasons.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from a review of the drawings and the following description of the preferred embodiments. The invention disclosed herein is a computer generated family tree output, describing a multigenerational family tree having significant family dates, each date associated with a person included in the family tree. The invention output also describes a chronological timeline including incrementally passing successive dates. The previously recited family dates are shown in synchronicity with the dates on the timeline.  
      Displayed is information associated with specific persons included in the family tree. This information includes significant dates associated with each specific person. Also displayed is a chronological timeline including gradations indicating a uniform incremental passage of successive dates on the timeline. The significant dates are displayed in synchronicity with corresponding successive dates on the timeline.  
      Included on the family tree output are a plurality of lifelines, each lifeline corresponding to a person included in the family tree. A marriage between two persons is denoted by merging a portion of their respective lifelines from a marriage beginning date to a marriage ending date. Unknown date indicia, also referred to as an unknown date gradient, indicates a date on a lifeline that is unknown. Common birthday indicia indicates persons with the same birth month and day. Precession of the equinox indicia is displayed in appropriate locations on the timeline.  
      The computer generated family tree output includes displayed data for persons included in the family tree, specifically graphical images of the persons, which may be displayed in contact with a corresponding lifeline. The chronological timeline may include graphical images displayed at specific dates on the timeline, wherein the graphical images show significant persons, places, or events associated with the specific dates.  
      Emigration indicia associated with a specific person on the family tree may be included. The chronological timeline is synchronized with the family tree so that the emigration indicia location on the family tree corresponds with a specific date on the chronological timeline thereby revealing a date of emigration. The output may include at least two lifelines displayed in drop-shadow form, which may be sibling lifelines.  
      Also disclosed is a method for computer generation of a family tree output, including the steps of electronically generating a chronological timeline encompassing a predetermined period of time, inputting data associated with persons to be included in the family tree, electronically generating a family tree based on the data, and displaying the family tree in conjunction with the chronological timeline.  
      Included in the method may be the step of electronically generating a plurality of lifelines, each lifeline corresponding to a person included in the family tree. Also included may be the step of merging a portion of two lifelines to denote a marriage between two persons associated with the lifelines. The step of electronically generating unknown date indicia indicating a date on a lifeline that is unknown may be included, as may be the step of electronically generating common birthday indicia indicating persons with the same birth month and day, or the step of electronically generating equinox precession indicia to be displayed on the timeline.  
      Additionally disclosed is a method for computer generation of a family tree output comprising the steps of inputting data associated with a plurality of persons to be included in the family tree, inputting a plurality of graphical images each image associated with a specific person to be included in the family tree, and electronically generating a family tree display based on the data and graphical images. Included may be the steps of electronically generating a chronological timeline comprising gradation dates indicating a uniform incremental passage of time, providing graphical images that correspond with specific gradation dates, associating predetermined graphical images with corresponding gradation dates, and displaying the timeline with the associated images.  
      The method may include the steps of inputting data on a plurality of persons to be included in the family tree comprising emigration date data having a corresponding emigrated person and a corresponding gradation date on the timeline, generating emigration indicia based on the emigration data, associating the emigration indicia with the corresponding emigrated person, and displaying the emigration indicia on the family tree in synchronicity with the corresponding gradation date on the timeline.  
      Finally, the method may include the steps of inputting data on at least two persons to be included in the family tree output, generating a lifeline for each person based on the input data, and displaying the lifelines in drop-shadow form.  
      As used herein, the terms “output” and “display” may be used interchangeably as meaning the product that results from the present invention, as based on the input data, whether in electronic form (i.e., as viewed on a computer monitor screen) or in hardcopy form. The term “common birthday” refers to circumstances in which two or more persons have the same birth month and day. The term “precession of the equinox” refers to the event of a specific astronomical constellation of stars appearing at the horizon on the morning of the spring equinox for a period of about two thousand years, after which the immediately preceding astronomical constellation, as shown on a zodiac chart, appears at that location.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1A  depicts a first data input screen of the present invention.  
       FIG. 1B  depicts an exploded view of a portion of a border shown in  FIG. 1A .  
       FIG. 2  depicts a second data input screen of the present invention.  
       FIG. 3  depicts a third data input screen of the present invention with a first set of data being input into the computer program.  
       FIG. 4  depicts the data input screen of  FIG. 3  with a second set of data being input into the computer program.  
       FIG. 5A  depicts a fourth data input screen of the present invention.  
       FIG. 5B  depicts an exploded view of the family tree shown in  FIG. 5A .  
       FIG. 6A  depicts an embodiment of a family tree showing alternative details.  
       FIG. 6B  depicts a portion of the family tree of  FIG. 6A , showing alternative details.  
       FIGS. 7A, 7B , and  7 C depict unknown date gradients of the present invention.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      The present invention is based on the use of computer hardware known in the art in conjunction with a novel computer software program that, along with input data, produces a novel form of family tree output. A vast array of available hardware may be used in accordance with the present invention, not all of which shall be discussed herein as it is generally known to those skilled in the art, and the hardware options for successful practice of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. The focus herein shall be on minimum hardware requirements which may include a desktop or laptop computer with at least 512 megabytes of RAM and at least 20 gigabytes of electronic storage space. These requirements anticipate storage of both the novel software supplied to the user and any electronic image data that the user might add to the program for customization purposes.  
      A scanner is also desirable, which is able to scan at least 500 dots per inch, and preferably is capable of scanning both opaque and transparent images. To generate aesthetically pleasing hardcopy output of a quality that may be put on display, the use of a 24 inch wide roll feed color printer is highly desirable. Availability on the computer system of additional software, such as Adobe Illustrator® or some equivalent graphics program, Adobe Photoshop® or some equivalent photo sizing and cropping program, and the like is also highly desirable. Both of these systems are offered by Adobe Systems, Inc. of San Jose, Calif. Particular information can be found in the Adobe Photoshop® 7.0 User Guide, © 2002 by Adobe Systems, Inc. and the Adobe Illustrator® 10 User Guide, ©  2001  by Adobe Systems, Inc., both hereby incorporated by reference herein. Quark by Quark Technologies, and Corel Paintbox and Corel Drawing software, both by Corel, are other currently available options.  
      As used herein, the terms “click”, “clicking”, and “double clicking” refer to the standard function of a mouse and electronic pointer on a monitor screen, which are used to take specific actions or accomplish given functions of a computer program.  
      Referring now to the Figures, use of the present invention shall be described beginning with use of the data input screens. Once the present software is loaded into a computer system, an icon is made available on the screen as is customary with computer programs. Double clicking the icon starts the program and displays the first input screen, shown in  FIG. 1A .  FIG. 1A  is referred to as the “Document Setup Screen” and is used to generate the chronological timeline and overall chart upon which the family tree will be displayed. This screen displays a panel  10  having borders  12 . Begin year data is input into space  14 ; the exemplary data in  FIG. 1A  shows a chart begin year of 1790. End year data is input into space  16 ; the exemplary data in  FIG. 1A  shows a chart end year of 2020. After input of begin year and end year data, the user clicks the place key  18  to apply this data to the program.  
      The user then has control of the size of the hardcopy output of the finished chart. Desired overall chart width is input into space  20 , exemplified as 60 inches in  FIG. 1A . Overall chart height is input into space  22 , exemplified as 24 inches in  FIG. 1A . Chart height is directly dependent upon the capacity of the printer being used. The scale of the chart is then entered into space  24 , exemplified as 2 inches per decade in  FIG. 1A . The user then clicks the place key  26  to apply this data to the program. The result is the timeline shown as panel  10  in  FIG. 1A , with the years from 1790 to 2020 set out in 10 year increments in borders  12 .  
      In the event of a conflict between chart width and scale, the program may be arranged so that one of these data entries takes precedence and overrides the other. For example, the overall time span shown in  FIG. 1A  from 1790 to 2020 is 230 years. If the scale is input as 1 inch per year, the width requirement for display of the entire chart output would be 230 inches. This is much more than the desired width input of 60 inches. The program can be set up so that scale takes precedence over width, or width takes precedence over scale, whichever the user desires.  
      A background color or background image may be selected for the panel  10 . If a background color is desired, the user clicks on the words “select background color”  28  which produces a color palette (not shown). The user selects, or clicks on, the desired background color from the color palette then clicks on place key  30  to confirm the selected background color and apply it to panel  10 . If a background image is desired, the user clicks on “select background image”  32  to display a plurality of image options for the background image. The desired background image may then be selected, or clicked, then the user may click on the place key  30  to confirm the selected background image and apply it to panel  10 . Background images provided with the computer program may be, for example, a variety of different cloud formations or the like. Users may also scan in custom images for use as background images.  
      For the sake of clarity of explanation, no background color or image is shown in  FIG. 1A . Years are displayed in ten year increments in borders  12  as shown, along with grid lines  34  representing decade gradations. Note that century grid lines  36 , displayed at the century marks, are shown in bold. When appropriate, symbols  38  and  40  representing the precession of the equinox may be displayed at the change of millennia. This is more clearly shown in  FIG. 1B .  
      Those who are familiar with astrology and the zodiac symbols will know that the year 2000 marks the beginning of the Age of Aquarius, which was preceded by the Age of Pisces. Thus the Pisces symbol  38  shown prior to the year 2000, and the Aquarius symbol  40  shown after the year 2000 on the chart. This change to a new zodiac sign occurs about every 2000 years. The specific constellation in question appears at the horizon in the morning of the spring equinox. Inclusion of this data on panel  10  provides an additional item of interest to those who are inclined toward astrological information.  
      Once the chart is configured as desired by the user, the user clicks on the “next page” symbol  42  shown in  FIG. 1A . This results in display of the next input data screen which is shown in  FIG. 2 .  
      Referring now to the data input screen of  FIG. 2 , there is shown name input spaces  44 . Although there are only ten name input spaces  44  shown, clicking the “next level” symbol  46  brings up additional data input screens for the addition of more names and their corresponding information. It is anticipated that some family trees may have dozens or hundreds of members, and therefore several of these name input screens may need to be used to complete an entire family tree.  
      Family names may be put into name input spaces  44  in any order, so long as the number  47  corresponding with a given name input space is identified with that person&#39;s input data. For example, the user may click on input space  44  labeled “1” to activate it and input the name “John Smith” as shown. The user is then able to input previously accumulated data associated with “John Smith” in the spaces to the right of this name. John Smith&#39;s birth date is input into space  48 , his marriage date is input into space  50 , and his death date is input into space  52 . If he was divorced, his divorce date would be input into space  54 . If he was married more than once, the number of the marriage in question would be put into box  56 , and the date of that marriage would be input into space  58 . For example, if we were inputting data for his second marriage, a “2” would be input into box  56 . Any input spaces that do not apply to the person in question would be left blank. At this point, the “place” key  60  would be clicked to apply the input data to the program. Then the name input space labeled “2” would be clicked to activate it, and the process would be repeated for the next family member.  
      As stated above, once ten names and their associated data are input into this screen, the “next level” symbol  46  would be clicked to bring up a new input screen for additional names. If the “highlight shared birthdays” box  62  is checked, as shown, any family members with the same birth month and day would show up on the family tree with a common birthday indicia or symbol, such as an asterisk or colored circle next to their respective names or birth dates. For example John Smith and John Black have the same birth month and day of January 2. Their birthdates might show up on the family tree with red circles next to them. If two other members of the family have another common birth month and day, their birth dates might show up with a green circle next to them. Any shape, symbol, or device may be used, with or without color coding, so long as the intended purpose is achieved.  
      For sake of explanation, the data for each name listed in spaces  44  is shown in  FIG. 2 . In practice, once the data is input for a specific name and the “place” key  60  is clicked, that person&#39;s data is applied to the program and disappears from the input boxes. The process is then repeated for another name. The “preceding page” symbol  64  may be clicked to take the user back to the Document Set Up screen of  FIG. 1A , or the “next page” symbol  66  may be clicked to take the user to the data input screen of  FIG. 3  once all the family member names and their associated data have been input.  
      Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a data input screen which focuses on family relationships and other secondary data is shown. The names that were previously input into the input data screen of  FIG. 2  now show up in spaces  68  with their corresponding numbers  69 . For example, “John Smith” is again shown in space  68  labeled with the number “1”. What is critical is that all the input data for “John Smith” be associated with the space labeled number “1”. This is accomplished by clicking on this space which activates it, or highlights it as shown, for the input of data.  
      With space number “1” highlighted, data associated with “John Smith” may now be input. Assuming we do not have information on John Smith&#39;s parents, data input space  70  would be left blank. If John Smith is the father of Clark Smith (whose name is in space  68  labeled number “3”), the numbers “001” and “003” would be input into space  72  as shown to create this family relationship on the family tree. If John Smith is the husband of Mary Jones (whose name is in space  68  labeled number “2”), the numbers “001” and “002” would be input into space  74  as shown to create this family relationship on the family tree. Because there is no information to suggested that John Smith has a brother or was remarried, spaces  76  and  78  would be left blank. Input spaces  80  through  88  would be used if the family member in question was female. After this data is input, the “place” key  90  is clicked to apply the data to the program.  
      If John Smith was an immigrant, his number “001” would be input into space  92  and his emigration year, “1880” in the example, would be input into space  94 . “Place” key  96  would then be clicked to apply this data to the program. The “search flag file” symbol  97  would then be clicked to bring up a listing of countries and their flags (not shown). If, for example, John Smith emigrated from Russia to the United States in 1880, the number associated with the Russian flag, in this case “5”, would be input into space  98 , and the number associated with the United States flag, in this case “6”, would be input into space  100 . “Place” key  102  is then clicked to apply this data to the program. The resultant output on the family tree will be described in detail below.  
      Each family member is depicted on the family tree as a lifeline, or a rectangular bar, as will be described in detail below. Inputting John Smith&#39;s number “001” into space  104  allows the selection of a color and other graphics for his lifeline. Clicking on box  106  brings up a color palette (not shown) which allows the selection of a color for John Smith&#39;s lifeline. Clicking on box  108  allows the user to choose to show John Smith&#39;s lifeline outlined in bold which may be desirable to highlight certain persons or certain relationships. If, for example, the user desires that all the family members which make up the patriarchal lineage should be emphasized on the family tree, box  108  may be clicked to outline John Smith&#39;s lifeline in bold, as would all the lifelines associated with his descendant males. Clicking the “place” key  110  applies this data to the program. Note that boxes  106  and  108  are shown overlapped in  FIG. 3 , as this is how they appear in Adobe programs.  
      John Smith&#39;s lifeline may also be shown in “drop shadow” form, or in other words with a three dimensional effect as will be further described in detail below. If this is desired, his number “001” is input into space  112  and the “place” key  114  is clicked to apply this data to the program. Also, photographs of John Smith at various points in his life may be displayed on the family tree at appropriate points on his lifeline. If this is desired, his number “001” is input into spaces  116  and  118 , the desired picture year is input into space  120 , in this example 1918, and the “search family album” symbol  122  is clicked. This brings up a selection of previously input images of John Smith for the year 1918, which may be displayed with captions, including for example name and date. The user may then select an image, then click the “place” key  124  to apply the image to the program. The image will be shown at a point on John Smith&#39;s lifeline associated with the year 1918, as will be described in more detail below. The user has the discretion, however, to move images around on the final family tree to his or her liking. Additionally, the user may click the “search family album” symbol  122  and browse through the offered images and select desired images at will for placement on the family tree.  
      The “next level” symbol  126  allows similar data to be input for additional names on additional pages of this input screen. The “preceding page” symbol  128  takes the user back to the input screen of  FIG. 2 . The “next page” symbol  130  takes the user to the input screen of  FIG. 5 . However, we shall first consider the data input procedure just described for another family member by reference to  FIG. 4 .  
      In  FIG. 4 , note that the name “Clark Smith” in name input space  68  labeled with the number “3” is highlighted. This activates data input for Clark Smith. His associated number “003” is input into spaces  70 ,  72 ,  74 , and  78  as shown and as previously described above. Note that the information provides that he is the son of John Smith, the father of Michael Smith, the husband of Betty White, and the brother of Jane Smith. If he is also the father of Susan Smith in space  68  labeled with the number “6”, the program will use simple logic to determine this fact if Susan Smith is input into the program as the daughter of Betty White and born during Betty White&#39;s marriage to Clark Smith. It will also determine this if Susan Smith is input as the sister of Michael Smith who was previously identified as Clark Smith&#39;s son, so long as Susan Smith was born during the marriage of Betty White and Clark Smith. In other words, the program is capable of taking data associated with a variety of family members and using simple logic to extrapolate family relationships that have not been directly identified by direct data input.  
      Consider an additional example in simple logic form. A family consists of members A, B, C, D, E, F &amp; G. If B is identified as the wife of A on A&#39;s data input screen, and C is identified as the son of A on A&#39;s data input screen, and D is identified as the son of B on B&#39;s data input screen, and E is identified as the sister of C on C&#39;s data input screen, and F is identified as the brother of D on D&#39;s data input screen, and G is identified as the sister of E on E&#39;s data input screen, and all the children were born during the marriage of A and B, then the program will extrapolate these relationships and recognize this as a nuclear family and display it as such via lifelines, and showing appropriate birth dates, death dates, marriage dates, etc. as will be described in further detail below.  
      Data input for lifeline color and outline of the lifeline in bold, drop shadow function, and selection of images works as described in the example above. After this data is input for all family members named in the program, the “next page” symbol  130  is clicked to reach the data input screen of  FIG. 5A .  
      Referring now to  FIG. 5A , this data input screen displays the previously constructed timeline chart with the fully constructed family tree, which is shown in greater detail in  FIG. 5B . This data input screen allows additional images, in the form of historical photographs and artworks, to be added to the program output. The user may view a selection of images for a specific historical period of time by inputting a beginning year into space  132 , the year 1870 being shown in the example, and an ending year into space  134 , the year 1880 being shown in the example. The user may then click on any one of the listed countries, then by clicking on the “archive” key  136  a selection of images for the selected time period and pertaining to the selected country will be brought up on the screen. This selection of images may be displayed with captions, including for example names, dates, places, etc. The user may then select an image and place it on the chart in the desired location.  
      It should be noted that the listing of countries here is exemplary, and many more countries would be added to the program and available on this data input screen or on additional pages of this screen which would be accessible through some sort of “next level” icon, similar to what was described above in conjunction with  FIGS. 2, 3 , and  4 . Also, the national flags could accompany country names as small thumbnail images, either just for reference or as activation icons of some sort.  
      For example, if the user wants to put a picture of the Brooklyn Bridge on the timeline image ribbon  138  at about the year of its construction, the user would input the exemplary data, highlite the United States (as shown), select the appropriate image from those that are made available, and that image would be placed at the appropriate point on ribbon  138 , herein shown as image  140 . A check mark placed in box  142  allows a selection of regional tree images, or other country-related symbols or pictures, to be brought up when “archive” key  136  is clicked. Such images may be placed at various locations on the chart to indicate countries of significance of the family at that stage in history. For example, image  144  represents birch trees which are associated with Russia. If the family originated in Russia, this would be an appropriate picture to depict at the beginning of the family tree.  
      With specific reference to image  144  in  FIG. 5A , a particularly aesthetically pleasing effect may be provided by beginning the first lifeline in the family tree (i.e., the lifeline of the oldest ancestor displayed on the tree) with such an image. The image  144  may be incorporated into the beginning of this person&#39;s lifeline, and the image may gradually blend with and be shaded into the color of the lifeline. The lifeline would be the same height as the image, and would stem from the image using a color gradient feature of the present invention, as discussed in more detail below. An example of such a gradient tool is provided in the Adobe software via an opacity mask function.  
      Additionally, a selection of family portraits and group pictures may be made available to use at various locations on the chart, particularly to fill in blank space on the chart. Although the program will display images at an appropriate point on ribbon  138  corresponding to an image date, the user always has the discretion to move images around on the chart via software capability. It is anticipated that a plurality of images would be shown on ribbon  138  for historical perspective, as would a plurality of family photos be shown on and near the lifelines of the family tree. Such output is particularly aesthetically appealing, especially when the output is in full color.  
      We also anticipate that any image on the family tree output, when displayed on a monitor screen, may be activated to display further data, such as historical news, archived information, immigration data, etc. Such activation may also display a data stream in the form of video and/or audio. For example, an image of a family member may serve as a link to a digitized clip of a home video of that person that has been stored into the program. The image, when double clicked, would call up and begin the data stream which would show up on the monitor as a motion picture, with or without audio. As understood by those skilled in the art, such a function would be limited to the output display on a monitor screen.  
      As well, graphic means for distinguishing among various family relationships, such as cousins, second cousins, step-brothers and sisters, adoptive relationships, etc. may be supplied, as may a morphing visual stream of the growth and aging of any individual on the family tree. It is also possible to provide for the program to gradually unfold a completed family tree on a computer monitor, from beginning to end, so that the user can watch the generations and lifelines unfold through the years, at a rate of perhaps 100 years in 4 or 5 minutes time.  
      Also, the program may provide for a system by which all images, whether provided with the program or subsequently input into the program by the user, are associated with some means of identification, for example a number and perhaps also an identifying title, the name of a person in the image, the image year, and similar information. This would be combined with means to allow the user to print out a list of all image numbers with associated titles, or other information, as an index of the image archives.  
      Clicking the “preceding page” symbol  146  takes the user back to the input data screen of  FIG. 4 , and clicking the “next page” symbol  148  takes the user to a screen that displays the finished chart complete with family tree, timeline, family images, and historical images, which is now ready for print-out in hard copy form. The family tree shown in  FIG. 5A  warrants additional discussion, and an exploded view of the family tree is shown in  FIG. 5B  for clarity of detail.  
      As shown in  FIG. 5B , each person is depicted as a lifeline  150 , having a left end  152  which corresponds to a birth date. Note that the birth date of any given lifeline  150  is synchronized with the appropriate date on the timeline chart. Regarding deceased persons, the right end  154  corresponds to a death date. Note that the death date of any given lifeline  150  is synchronized with the appropriate date on the timeline chart. In fact, all events shown on lifelines that have a date associated with them are in synchronicity with dates on the timeline chart. The photograph of John Smith  156  was taken in 1918, thus its location on John Smith&#39;s lifeline with respect to the timeline chart. It is anticipated that many, many more images of persons on the family tree would be displayed than are shown in the simple example of  FIG. 5B .  
      Marriage is denoted by the merging of two lifelines from the date of the marriage to either the death date of the first spouse to die or the date of separation. The marriage between John Smith and Mary Jones is shown as a merging of their respective lifelines at a point  158  corresponding to the year 1890 on the timeline chart. Their marriage ended when John Smith died in 1945, as shown by right end  154  of John Smith&#39;s lifeline. Note that John Black&#39;s marriage ended in 1970 when he and Martha Gray were divorced, as depicted by the de-merging of their lifelines at point  160 .  
      Family members who are still living at the time of creation of the family tree are depicted in this example by an open right end  162  on their lifelines. Asterisks  164   a  and  164   b  denote common birth month and day between individuals, in this case between John Smith and John Black. Emigration indicia  166  denotes a person who emigrated from one country to another. In this example, the Russian flag on the left indicates the country emigrated from, and the United States flag on the right indicates the country emigrated to. The flags are centered on the emigration date, which is the year 1890 in this example. Note also that information  168  (here associated with Mary Black&#39;s lifeline) may be placed outside of a person&#39;s lifeline when space within a lifeline is restricted. Again, the user has discretion and may edit the placement of information and images on the final family tree output.  
      The birthdates of children of a marriage shown in the family tree are associated with vertical lines  170 . These vertical lines stem from the area in which a couple&#39;s lifelines have merged to show a marriage relationship, and extend to the child&#39;s lifeline at a left edge of the lifeline indicating the year of the child&#39;s birth. As stated previously, family photographs  172  may be inserted on the chart in various locations for aesthetic and informational appeal.  
      Referring now to  FIG. 6A , additional detail of the present invention shall be discussed. Shown in  FIG. 6A  are the lifeline  174  of a husband, lifeline  176  of husband&#39;s first wife, and lifeline  178  of husband&#39;s second wife. Note that the first marriage begins at point  180  where lifelines  174  and  176  merge, as discussed above. This first marriage ends at point  182  where lifelines  174  and  176  de-merge, also as discussed above. Subsequent to point  182 , which represents a divorce, point  184  represents husband&#39;s second marriage by the merger of lifelines  174  and  178 . This second marriage ends when husband dies on a date represented by the right end  186  of his lifeline.  
      Three children of the first marriage stem from vertical line  188  which is placed at the birth date of lifeline  190 . Sibling lifelines  192  and  194  then may be represented as shown with their left ends  196 ,  198 , and  200  representing their respective birth dates which are aligned with the appropriate dates on the timeline chart, as discussed above. This is an alternate method of displaying children of a marriage and sibling relationships when, for example, space considerations require such alternate display. This method of displaying children and siblings becomes particularly important in later generations when the family tree becomes more crowded, as it saves space and allows family members to be clustered about their parents and other close relatives to preserve clarity of relationships and the overall display.  
      Note there is a child of the second marriage represented by lifeline  202  which is shown stemming from and wholly inside lifeline  178  (the mother&#39;s lifeline) from a point within the area where lifelines  174  and  178  merge. This is another alternate method of displaying children of a marriage when, for example, space considerations require such alternate display. Lifeline  202  could also have been shown stemming from lifeline  174  (the father&#39;s lifeline), or anywhere within the area of the parents&#39; lifelines.  
      Note that the open right ends of the various lifelines in  FIG. 6A  denote that these family members are still alive. Note also that these lifelines are shown in “drop shadow” form  204 ; that is, a shadow effect has been added on the left and lower sides of the lifelines to produce a three-dimensional effect. In particular, lifelines  190 ,  192 , and  194  are shown in drop shadow form and slightly overlapping each other which adds to the three-dimensional effect. This drop shadow method is used to highlight particular lifelines on the family tree. For example, the user may wish that all family members in a patriarchal lineage be displayed in drop shadow form to highlight that patriarchal lineage. Alternately, the user may wish to use this method to highlight a matriarchal lineage, or perhaps one particular branch of the family on the tree.  
      Referring now to  FIG. 6B , an alternative embodiment of lifeline  202  of  FIG. 6A  will be discussed. Child&#39;s lifeline  2020  is shown stemming from lifeline  1780  to the right of the merged area of parents&#39; lifelines  1740  and  1780 . Lifeline  2020  may be shown in conjunction with an image  2022  of the child, as a child or as an adult, merged into the lifeline as shown. Image  2022  may begin lifeline  2020  at its left end, corresponding to the person&#39;s birth date. An open left end  2024  may be depicted, with the color of the parental lifeline  1780  merging into and blending with the color of lifeline  2020  for a pleasing aesthetic effect.  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 7A  through C, the concept of an “unknown date gradient” shall be discussed. When a person&#39;s date of birth is unknown the left edge of their lifeline may be displayed as shown in  FIG. 7A , a gradual tapering from white or the background color on the chart into the color of the lifeline, to represent such unknown birth date. When a person is still living an alternative to an open right end on their lifeline is shown in  FIG. 7B  wherein the color of a lifeline gradually tapers off to white or the background color of the chart; this method has a more aesthetic appeal than simply leaving a lifeline open-ended, especially with full color display. When a date of death is unknown, the method of  FIG. 7C  may be used, wherein the color of a lifeline gradually tapers into darker shades of gray at its right end. Similar methods may be used when, for example, the dates of marriage or separation are unknown, or when any other dates associated with family members are unknown.  
      Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the above disclosures are exemplary only and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise construction as shown in the drawings and described hereinabove.