Genogram vs. family tree

A family tree records lineage: who descended from whom, with names and dates. A genogram keeps that same structure but adds the layers a tree leaves out, like emotional bonds, marriages and divorces with standard symbols, health history, and the patterns that repeat across generations.

No. They share a visual language of squares, circles, and connecting lines, so they look similar at a glance, but they answer different questions. A family tree asks who is related; a genogram asks how the family actually functions.

Yes. If you already have a family tree, you are halfway there. Keep the structure, mark the index person, draw the emotional bonds between people, and note any significant health history. With Genogenie you can describe the family in plain English and let AI build the first draft, then add those layers.

Use a family tree for genealogy and ancestry, where the goal is to trace lineage across many generations. Use a genogram when you need to see relationship patterns or health history, such as for therapy, social work, counseling, or a nursing assessment.

They overlap. Both use squares for males and circles for females joined by lines. A genogram adds a fuller standard set: slashes for separation or divorce, an X for someone who has died, bond lines for close, distant, or conflicted relationships, and shading for medical or behavioral markers.

Neither is better; they are built for different jobs. A family tree is the right tool for recording descent, while a genogram is the right tool for understanding relationships and health across generations. Many people start with a tree and extend it into a genogram when they need that extra detail.