Each ancestor page on Stories Gathered & Remembered includes a small lineage box at the top. This box helps you see, at a glance, how the ancestor fits into my direct family line. It’s a simple guide that shows the connection between me and the person whose story you’re reading.
Here’s what each part means:
Lineage
This line shows the direct path from me back through the generations to the ancestor.
Example:
Cynthia Kolf → Dixie Sue Fuller Rath → Elias Elmore Rath → Jacob Rath → Andreas Rath
Each arrow represents a parent-to-child step in the family chain.
Family Line
This shows the surname line being followed.
Example:
Family Line: Rath
Because ancestors can come from many directions—maternal, paternal, or through blended family branches—this keeps each line organized.
Relationship to Me
This explains exactly how the ancestor is related to me.
Examples:
- My 2nd great-grandfather
- My great-grandmother
- My 4th great-uncle
This makes the relationship clear at a glance.
Generation
This shows how many generations back the ancestor is from me.
Example:
Generation: 4 generations back
This helps place the ancestor within a timeline and shows the distance between our lifetimes.
Why the Lineage Box Matters
Family history can stretch across centuries and multiple branches. The lineage box offers:
- A quick reference to how we’re connected
- A visual map of the direct line
- Consistent, easy-to-follow structure from ancestor to ancestor
It’s a simple guide that helps tie every story back to the family tree.