Genogram maker / 3 generation genogram
3 generation genogram
The three-generation genogram is the standard format for family assessment and the one most assignments ask for: grandparents, parents, and the client with their siblings, plus the events and relationships that connect them.
Reading the example
- Maya (double outline) is the index person: the client the genogram is drawn for.
- Her paternal grandfather Frank died in 2015 of heart disease; the X marks the death and the filled left half marks a serious illness.
- The filled bottom half on grandmother Joan shows alcohol misuse, and the zigzag between Joan and her daughter Lisa records a conflictual relationship: a pattern worth exploring across generations.
- Two slashes on the line between David and Lisa mean they are divorced (2019). Maya is very close to her sister Ella (three lines) and distant from her father (dashed).
What to include in each generation
| Generation | Who | Record |
|---|---|---|
| Grandparents (top) | Both sets of grandparents, and their other partners if relevant | Birth/death years, cause of death, marriages and divorces, migration, major illness |
| Parents (middle) | Mother, father, step-parents, aunts and uncles | Relationship history with dates, health and substance use, occupations if relevant |
| Client (bottom) | Index person, siblings and half-siblings, partners, pregnancy losses | Ages, birth order, relationships with parents and siblings, current partner and children |
Checklist before you hand it in
- Three full generations, both sides of the family.
- Index person marked with a double outline.
- Siblings in birth order, oldest on the left.
- Deaths marked with an X, years and age at death.
- Marriage, separation and divorce dates on partner lines.
- Health and substance use shaded and labelled.
- At least the key emotional relationships drawn.
- A key explaining every symbol used (the maker’s export adds this automatically).
- Names replaced with initials if the genogram will be shared.
Start from the blank template
The template has every position labelled by role: paternal and maternal grandparents, father, mother, an uncle, an aunt, the client and a sibling. Overwrite the labels, delete what doesn’t apply and add what’s missing.
Use the templateFrequently asked questions
What is a three-generation genogram?
A genogram covering the client’s generation (with siblings), their parents’ generation (with aunts and uncles) and their grandparents’ generation. It is the standard minimum for clinical assessment and the most common student assignment.
Who counts as the first generation?
Conventions differ. Many courses number from the oldest generation (grandparents = generation 1) because they sit at the top of the page; others start with the client. Either is fine as long as you are consistent and include a key.
Do I include aunts, uncles and cousins?
Include aunts and uncles (the parents’ siblings) in a three-generation genogram. Cousins belong to the client’s generation and are optional; add them if they matter to the story, for example a cousin raised in the same household.