Family pedigree chart

About this family pedigree chart

A family pedigree chart represents individuals, relationships, and important genetic information. Males are shown as squares and females are shown as circles. If the symbol has an arrow pointing to the bottom left, it indicates a proband, which is the person being studied in the chart.

Deceased individuals are represented with slashed symbols—either a square for males or a circle for females. Affected individuals are shown with color: a blue square for an affected male and a pink circle for an affected female.

Carriers, who possess a gene for a condition but don't display symptoms, are indicated with a dot in the center of the symbol (blue for males, pink for females). Examined individuals are shown with a cross on top of a square or a line on top of a circle.

Fraternal twins are represented by two squares or circles connected at the top, while identical twins have an additional horizontal line between them. Other symbols, like a rotated square, indicate unknown sex, and smaller rotated squares may represent miscarriages, stillbirths, or short-lived individuals. Marriage is depicted with a horizontal line between a square and circle, while divorce is represented by a double slash through the line.