Make your first genogram
Draw a three-generation family by hand, beginning with the person for whom the genogram is made.
A genogram is drawn around one person, the index person, and normally covers at least three generations. The work therefore begins with that person, continues upwards to the parents and grandparents, and ends with the siblings, partners and children of the index person. Relatives added from the ring that appears around a person are placed and linked automatically, so the family lines are correct before the layout is tidied. Each new relative is given a placeholder name, such as “Father of Tyler”, which you then replace with the real name.
If the canvas already shows a family, follow Start a new genogram first. If Describe is selected in the top bar, click Draw.
Procedure
- 1
Click Person (A) on the tool rail, and then click an empty part of the canvas. A symbol named “New person” appears, and the side panel opens with the name selected.
- 2
Type the person’s name, and complete Basics as described in Edit a person’s name, sex and years.
- 3
Click the crown button, Make index person, at the top of the side panel. The symbol gains a double outline and a yellow fill.
- 4
Point to the person on the canvas, and click Parents on the ring that appears. A father and a mother are added above, and the father’s name is selected for typing.
- 5
Point to each parent in turn, and click Parents again to add the grandparents.
- 6
Add siblings, partners and children with the Sibling, Partner and Child buttons on the ring.
- 7
Click Arrange in the top bar, and then click the button at the foot of the Auto-arrange window to apply Tidy, which is selected by default.
A genogram can also be drafted from written notes. Click Describe and paste a description of the family. The assistant prepares a draft, which you review before it is added to the canvas.
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