Use Your Computer to Create a Nice Genealogy Chart
I have
found a way in which you can build a genealogy chart which includes not only
your relative’s names, but your family crest and motto as well. This enables us
to print out a chart which is lovely and suitable for framing. Your friends and
relatives will be impressed with how great it looks. This would also make a
great gift for your family and is something that you can pass on to your
children.
There is a
great website known as, “The House of
Names.” This websites allows you to do a free search of your ancestral
name. It will then present you with the family crest, the motto, and a history
of the origin of your surname. They offer a great many items for sale and I
would suggest purchasing something just because they are really cool and make
great conversation pieces.
However,
what we want to do is take a screenshot. After you have performed a search for
your name, you want to take a screenshot of the results page. This can be done
by pressing the “ctrl” and “prt sc” keys at the same time. This will create a
screenshot of just the top window, that way you do not have to worry about
having your desktop in your screenshot. Next you need to open up your graphics
software. I use Photoshop myself, but if you do not have it you can grab a free
graphics program from the citations section of this article.
Open a new
file and then go to edit and from the dropdown menu click on paste. You will
then see your screenshot as the image. Next you want to crop the image of the
crest. Use the crop tool to encircle the perimeter of the crest and then
complete the command. You will then have an image that includes only your
family crest. Save the image as a JPG image. Name it something simple so that
you know what the image contains. These steps may vary for each program, but
the help file will explain how to use the basic program tools, which is all
that we really need. Repeat these steps for every crest that you wish to have
in your chart.
As a side
note, make sure that you write down all of the information that you want to
include in your chart. This information may include the family motto, and
perhaps some interesting facts about your family name. Next you will want to
find an interesting background image. I would suggest an image at least 800x600
in size as this will cover the background of your image without too much
stretching and distortion. A nice touch would be to search Google images for a
background which has a medieval feel to it.
When you
have your images ready, it is time to add them all together and create that
awesome chart. Open up your graphics program and create a new document. Make
the document at least 800x600. It is important to make your new image the same
size as your background, otherwise you risk losing a portion of the background
image you are pasting into your chart. Next go to the open file menu and open
the background that you chose to use in your chart. While that background image
is open, select the entire image and copy. Then select the blank image file
that you created and paste. You will then see that awesome background you chose
fill in the blank image, after that go ahead and close the open background
image.
At this
point save your new image as a JPG file. Remember to name it something you can
remember. One tip I can give you when working in graphics is to save often.
Next you will open each individual crest image that you have and paste each one
into your new image. As you paste the crest in, you can place it wherever you
wish. I would suggest placing them as you paste them in because it can be
confusing trying to move the images after they are all there.
Now that we
you have your background in the image and all of your crest where you want
them, you can now begin to add your text. This is why it is important to write
down the information from the House of Names. You begin typing by selecting
your typing tool in your graphics program and click where you want the text to
appear. Myself I like using a gothic font which gives the text that old English
look to it. Now you just type the information that you want to appear. Do not
worry if it is not right where you want it, you can simply choose the arrow
tool and move the text into the position of your choice.
Once you
have completed all of the text and the image looks how you like it, go ahead
and save it as a JPG image. I find that the best way to print this out on my
home printer is to use the Windows image print tool. This tool allows you to
choose what size you want the image to be printed as. The option for a full
page is of course the best option. Make sure that you use glossy paper and that
your printer is set to print in photo quality. If you are unable, unsure, or
you want a larger image, you can always take the image to your local Kinko’s
and have them print it for you. They can even print multiple copies so that you
can hand them out to your family.
Once you
have your awesome chart done, go and buy a frame. This is what adds to the
effect of the chart, and creates the impression of professional work. This is a
very fun and worthwhile project which will inspire pride in your family. You
may find that many friends will ask you to make one for them as well.
Here are the links for what you need.
House of Names:
Paint.net - Free Graphics Program:
http://www.getpaint.net/download.html
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