It will not only show you the names of people who belong to your family lineage, but how these relatives relate to each other. The inside of the symbol will hold the person’s current age or various codes for genetic diseases or user-defined properties: abortions, still-births, SIDS, cohabitations, etc.Ī genogram can contain a wealth of information on the families represented. Genogram symbols will usually have the date of birth (and date of death if applicable) above, and the name of the individual underneath. There are also computer programs that are custom designed for genograms. Genograms can be prepared by using a complex word processor, or a computer drawing program. Some genogram users also put circles around members who live in the same living spaces. Figure 1 illustrates basic genogram symbols with various types of individuals. Few if any genealogists yet use them.Ī genogram is created with simple symbols representing the gender, with various lines to illustrate family relationships. Some practitioners in personal and family therapy use genograms for personal records and/ or to explain family dynamics to the client. Genograms are now used by various groups of people in a variety of fields such as genealogy, medicine, psychiatry, psychology, social work, genetic research, education, and many more.

Genograms were first developed and popularized in clinical settings by Monica McGoldrick and Randy Gerson through the publication of a book titled Genograms: Assessment and Intervention in 1985. It can be used to identify repetitive patterns of behavior and to recognize hereditary tendencies. It goes beyond a traditional family tree by allowing the user to visualize hereditary patterns and psychological factors that punctuate relationships. A genogram is a pictorial display of a patient's family relationships and medical history.

Purpose of a genogram in social work