Annual Favorites 2022--Beautiful and Unique Color Coding

One of our favorite things to do to make a chart more understandable and put more information, understanding and life into your family history is to add some color.  There are so many ways we can color code a chart.  And we can use bright colors or muted--whatever strikes your fancy.  Take a look at some of the amazing charts we color coded this year. 

This bright chart was color coded by place of birth.  With the vibrant colors, it engages the viewer to learn more about the history of this family.

 

This beautiful chart is color coded by country, but the countries are subtly explained on the bottom right under the title.  With its soft colors and tree imprint, this family tree is an eye-catching addition to the family's decor. 

The descendants of this amazing couple would have normally charted out to 24 feet wide, but by wrapping their descendants into three layers, we were able to get the chart down to 9 feet wide and 3.5 feet tall.  We color coded each child and their family so that the chart would be more understandable.  A great tribute to a large family and their ancestral beginnings.

This cute grandmother created three beautiful charts for her three beautiful grandchildren.  So engaging.  Now they have something to remind them of all the stories she tells them about their ancestors. 

This chart was exceptional, not only because of its bright colors but also because of its left to right descendancy format.  Color coding by generation makes its unique diamond format even more interesting. 

We loved this chart for its cool tropical colors and the integration of the map and places that the family lived.  With the palm trees in the back, you can almost feel the ocean breezes. 

 

These two charts were a fun new take on a fan chart.  The circles and contemporary font are perfect for a more modern decor.  Do you see how changing up the colors changes the whole look and feel of the chart?  Which one do you like better?

Finally, this chart is a simple left to right color coded by country and labeled by the flags of each country.  A simple, clean representation of the ethnicity of a person. 

You can get your own specially designed chart by sending in your information to us for a free consultation at http://familychartmasters.com/consult.  As you can see, we can create anything you can dream up.  And in any color too!  Let us help you create beautiful, engaging chart for your family and your home.

 

Annual Favorites 2022-Direct Line Charts

 We've been launching our 2022 Annual Favorites on social media, in our gallery and over our newsletter.  I'm going to take some time here and show you why we chose these for our favorites.  To start with, let's look at some of the awesome direct line charts that we were able to help our clients create this year:

 This first chart is stunning with the watercolor tree in the background and the soft muted colors.  It shows a direct line for 10 generations but the beauty of this chart is the short biographical description of each person.  What a treasure this chart is for the family that created it.

 

 We get alot of requests to show royalty lines, but this chart was a special one because it starts on the bottom with all of the living descendants and then goes directly up to that royal line.  With all of the royal photos, it really engages the viewer with how the royal lines came together to form this family.

With 17 generations, this chart is unique in that it goes directly up the patriarchal line of both the mother and father's side of the family.  They both go back to families with crests, so they were integrated into the chart.  A bright colorful design.

You can start your own family masterpiece with us by sending your information in for a free consultation at http://familychartmasters.com/consult.  We'll assign you one of our talented designers who can work with you to create an heirloom masterpiece for your family.  You might even be chosen for next year's annual favorite collection.  We're looking forward to creating the perfect chart for you. 

Are You Watching RootsTech With Us?

 Photo: The Family ChartMasters Team at RootsTech 2020

by Janet

We love Rootstech! For twelve years RootsTech has always been such a huge part of our calendar. I think it was the second year that I got in trouble for taking my kids. Then in 2014, one of the highlights of my career was when my son Matthew spoke to two full halls at only 14 years old. I've spoken with my Dad, with my Sisters, with Erin and numerous times by myself, besides running the Family ChartMasters booth and booths for other societies and companies that I've been affiliated with.

So it was with great surprise last year, that when the conference went virtual, I actually had time to listen to some of the other lectures. They were awesome. I was so excited to hear everyone else's presentations and get inspired along with all of you. I

Unfortunately, as we learned last year, and with other conferences too, the virtual format does not work very well for vendors. We've tried to make adjustments and do different things but with a sad heart, we decided it just didn't work for us to put the money, time and effort into doing RootsTech in a virtual format this year. I'm happy to report though, that I've already found a few new things to check out in the vendors hall this year, and I would encourage all of you to support our friends there.

We're really looking forward to the time when we can all be back in person and enjoy each other's company again. We'll be there with bells on. We're looking forward to the NGS conference in Sacramento, CA in May. Hopefully we'll see you there.

Honoring Family Members: Designing a Headstone

Words continue to fail me at the loss of my husband.  I am so thankful for our wonderful employees who have helped work through this crisis and bolstered me up personally during this time.  I am thankful that we will be able to carry on Kim's legacy in making this company strong and healthy and in strengthening families by printing beautiful, unifying family history charts.  

Despite the miracles we have been blessed with, I still don't know how anyone has survived a loss like this in the history of the world.  As we are now 7 months away, it seems to be getting harder.  The despair at his loss is crushing.  I have felt him close, and I am thankful for that.  I appreciate everyone's love and concern.  

Strangely, though few days go by without tears, choosing a headstone has felt good.  The mortuary counseled us to let everything settle through the winter and order a headstone in January in order to have it in place for Memorial Day.  Kim was buried in one of my family's plots, next to where my parents will be buried and next to my maternal grandparents.  My Grandmother, Eila Dana, chose Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park in Salt Lake City to purchase the plots because her parents and grandparents and brother are there as well.  She liked the cemetery because all of the headstones are flat in the ground and she liked how it looked like a park.  It is lovely.  What Grandma didn't know though, was that she was saving me alot of choices in choosing a headstone.  I'm so thankful for that.  I think this impossible task  would have been overwhelming had my choices not been limited to a flat marker.  

My Sister and nephews telling stories about our Great Grandmother at her grave. Memorial Day 2021

Wasatch Lawn Memorial Cemetery. Memorial Day 2021

Somehow choosing a headstone for Kim has been comforting.  Being a genealogist, it feels like I am building a lasting memorial to him.  Making sure he is remembered.  This is only one of the things I am working on to create a memorial to him, but this one feels substantial.  As we've visited the graves of my ancestors, and even helped place markers and headstones on some of my ancestor's unmarked graves, we have been strengthened and comforted over the years.  I've felt our place in the family and the passage of time.  It feels like I now have my own place for family to gather and remember.  

It was an interesting twist for me to have someone design for me something of such great importance.  I thought I didn't have many opinions about it, but when we got into the process, it turned out I did have a feel for what I wanted.  It was interesting to work with them to try to come up with what I was envisioning.  It gave me new insights on what we can do to help our clients visualize what we are trying to create for their families and how to help them to actualize what they are envisioning.  

I'm happy with it.  It is rich with meaning for me and my family.  A monument to a man I love and to the family we created.  I have a new appreciation for what a sacred trust it is to memorialize someone who has passed and to try to pass on a family heritage.  What a momentous work we do as family historians.  

2021 Christmas Deadlines.

In Case you missed it....

 It's been a hot minute since we've blogged over here.  So many things have been happening this year, it's hard to keep up!  

Here is a Webinar that Janet did last year with My Heritage: Show off your MyHeritage tree to your family and friends with a beautiful chart. Learn all the hidden tips and tricks to create a customized masterpiece a perfect representation of your family history. Just a few easy steps and your beautiful chart arrives in a tube on your doorstep.

Visit: https://familytreewebinars.com/download.php?webinar_id=1300  to learn all the tips and tricks!

Let us know what you think!!  💚

The Loss of my husband and our founder. Kim Craig Hovorka

Words fail.  

Kim Craig Hovorka Obituary 

Kim Craig Hovorka, the eldest son of John Thomas Hovorka Jr. and Marlene Beverley Anderson, was born on December 9th , 1955 in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. For 65 years his vibrant sense of humor and impeccable integrity brought light into the lives of many. He passed from this life peacefully on the morning of Thursday, June 24th, 2021. 

Kim enjoyed an unrestrained, nature filled childhood in Adams-Friendship, Wisconsin, and along the shores of Castle Rock Lake. He and his two younger brothers spent many happy days exploring the secret pond that everyone knew about and bringing fish and squirrels home for their grandmother to cook. It’s amazing they survived the adventures they had. 

As a young man, Kim left Wisconsin to pursue his education at Ricks College in Idaho. He completed his education with a bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Weber State in Utah. He has been a resident of Cedar Hills the last 23 years of his life. 

Kim was a hard worker and a perpetually service-oriented individual. He served faithfully in many capacities in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout his life, including as a full-time missionary in the Philadelphia/Harrisburg Pennsylvania Mission. He had an unassuming, authentic faith and lived without guile. Throughout his life, people could always count on Kim to do what he said he would do and fulfill his responsibilities to the best of his ability. 

Kim married his wife, Janet Carpenter, in the Jordan River Temple in 1994. Together they raised three children. Through the ups and downs of life, Kim was always even tempered and was rarely upset. His children were the center of his life and he was a faithful father. Kim worked constantly to take care of his family in big and small ways and was endlessly patient with all of Janet’s big plans. He was the foundation of the family; they could always trust him. He and Janet loved being together even if it was just running errands or working on projects around the house. 

In 2004, Kim and Janet started a successful business helping others preserve and display their family history. Kim found many friends in the genealogy industry who enjoyed his huge smile and his quick wit. He was better than anyone in the world at printing large charts from any kind of genealogy. His legacy will be found in the charts he produced that are enjoyed by families all around the globe. 

 Kim would be surprised at the outpouring of love he and his family received at his passing. He never believed he was as wonderful as everyone else knew he was. He was modest to a fault. Janet told him he was loved every day, and she feels blessed that he was loved so completely by so many others. 

Kim was a firm believer and lifelong follower of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He patterned his life after the Savior’s and accomplished what he came into this life to do. 

Kim is survived by his wife, Janet, and three children – Alexis, Matthew and Rachel, as well as his brothers Dana (Ann) Hovorka and Todd (Cheryl) Hovorka. His parents predeceased him. The family is very grateful for the excellent care they received in the cardiac unit and ICU at Mountain Point Hospital. Viewings will be held at the Warenski Funeral Home at 1776 N 900 E, American Fork on Thursday, July 1st from 6 to 8 pm and again at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 4425 W Cedar Hills Dr, Cedar Hills, from 9:30 to 10:30 Friday morning. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 at the church on Cedar Hills Drive with live streaming. Burial will take place at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

Annual Favorites 2020: Celebrating Ethnic Heritage

 We finally have our last installment of our 2020 Annual Favorites!!  And these charts are all celebrating their genealogical heritage while also celebrating their ethnicity!  These were such a joy to create!  As always, we get permission from our customers to share these, and we change the information on the charts to protect their privacy.  Take a look!  They are simply beautiful!

This chart uses flags to share the countries from which each line originated from.  Simple and stunning.

Crests and flags and photos galore!  The background of the chart is a photograph of the Scottish highlands, where this family originated.

Italian ancestry is celebrated in this chart, with a simple flag and country map.  Splendid!

This family's Irish ancestry is represented more subtly with the clovers, creating a beautifully arranged chart that has such hidden value.

Dutch ancestry is represented in this chart in many ways.  I love the watercolor background elements, and the muted tones of the colors.

How much did you LOVE last year's charts??  We can create whatever YOU want for your family history charts!  Send in your information for a free consultation today!

www.familychartmasters.com

Annual Favorites 2020: New Things to Do with Your Family TREES

 We have so many creative customers who are inspired to display their genealogy.  Last year we had so many ideas that included trees, that we had to make them a separate category for our Annual Favorites. Show off your family TREE! 

This design is actually one of our blank chart designs!  But we placed all the information on his tree for him.  Love those misty trees!

We just loved this watercolor tree as the background for this chart!  Such a nice way to display your descendants!

This was a lovely tribute from children to their mom.  What a nice gift!

Don't want to be super obvious with an actual tree?  These subtle leafy branches could do the trick.

This one was a fun one to create!  Pictures, colored box fields, and of course, the tree!

This one is just simple and clean and so lovely.  We loved the simple tree and leaf shapes.

We still have one more installment of our 2020 favorites!  Stay tuned. 

 

Annual Favorites 2020: Understand and Display Your Tree Better With Color Coding

 More beautiful charts!  This time we focused on some of the beautiful color coded charts we helped create last year.  Color coding can really help organize your information and show how family lines are arranged.  Take a look at these!

What a lovely descendancy chart, color coded according to each couple's descendants.

Color coding for each couple!  This one was a fun one to work on.

This one was so lovely!  Color coding divides the ancestors according to their ethnic heritage.  We love all the pictures and the subtle map as the watermarked background.

This chart includes the descendants of four families, with color coding for certain family members.  A clean, beautiful arrangement!

So many people on this chart!!  Color coding helps with the organizing of lines, the longest of which was wrapped to avoid unnecessary white space.

We love the color coding for each generation in this one!

This one was so fun to create!  Each family member includes their ethnicity estimates, to compare their DNA test results.  What a great idea!

This one includes everyone in the file, with color coding and enhanced lines for clarity.  Beautiful!

Can you believe we have even more charts coming??  Next up: new things to do with your family TREES! 

Annual Favorites 2020: Direct Line and Relationship Charts

 Installment Number 2 of our Annual Favorites from last year include Direct Line and Relationship Charts!  These were such a pleasure to create, and wonderful representations of family lines.  As always, we asked permission to share these charts, and changed names for privacy.  Here we go!

Um, I don't know about you, but being related to Pocahontas is basically the coolest.

This one shows the couple's children and both of their direct heritage.  SO many photos and a clean, simple arrangement!

A direct line to George Washington??  Awesome!  I also love the formal fonts used, which fit the theme.

This one is an All-In-One Chart, showing aunts, uncles, cousins, and everyone else in the family!

So many famous ancestors in this one!  Direct lines included with short stories about each person pictured.  This one was pretty incredible.

Stay tuned for our next post of our 2020 Annual Favorites!

Annual Favorites 2020: Big, Beautiful Pictures

 It's that time again!!  Time to show you all the amazing charts we designed for people in the past year.  At the end of each year, we get together and pick our favorite charts (there are a lot this year!).  Then we ask permission from our customers to share them, and change the names on their design (for privacy).  And here they are!  

Our first group of favorites all include big, beautiful pictures!  It's always so fun to have charts with pictures.  It's so nice to put faces with names!

This one has so many pictures!  We loved how it included both descendants and ancestors of the couple.

The client who ordered this chart had a great experience:

"My experience with Family Chart Masters was extremely positive.  Karli Ledkins was outstanding in the assistance she provided.    My wife and I highly recommend Family Chart Masters."  💚

The old photos on this one are my FAVORITE!  Look at those mustaches and hats!  Also love the simplicity and clean lines.

This one is so simple, and so beautiful!  I love the symmetry.

We love how BIG these photos are on this chart!!  Usually we have to make them so small, but we were able to fit some good sized photos on this one. 

I just love the arch of photos above this fan.  Such a lovely arrangement.

And the winner for biggest pictures goes to this one!  With added descriptions, color coding, and the subtle map in the background, this was a fun one to create.

Coming up next: Direct Line and Relationship Charts!