MyHeritage introduces color coding for family trees.

 

https://blog.myheritage.com/2023/03/introducing-color-coding-for-family-trees/

MyHeritage.com has taken another interesting step in organizing online family trees. The blog post, "Introducing Color Coding for Family Trees," details a significant visual and functional update designed to make family trees more intuitive and easier to navigate. This enhancement expands color coding—previously limited to Fan views and Timelines—to the primary Family and Pedigree views.

The update introduces a systematic approach to lineage, assigning distinct colors to specific ancestral branches:

• Blue: Paternal grandfather's side

• Green: Paternal grandmother's side

• Red: Maternal grandfather's side

• Yellow: Maternal grandmother's side

• Purple: Direct descendants

A key strength of this feature is its automation. Once enabled, the colors are applied across all family sites within an account without requiring manual input. The article notes that while the feature is currently available on desktop and mobile web browsers, it is slated for a future update to the mobile app.

Beyond the color scheme, the article highlights several complementary tools aimed at clarifying complex relationships. A new "blood relative" icon, represented by two drops, now appears in profile panels to help users identify genetic connections quickly. Furthermore, the update improves the experience of exploring trees belonging to DNA Matches or Smart Matches. By applying color coding and relationship diagrams to these external trees, users can more easily visualize how they are connected to individuals in trees they do not manage.

Ultimately, the article frames these updates as a cohesive effort to simplify genealogical research. By standardizing visual cues and providing clearer relationship paths, the platform aims to make the vast amount of data in a family tree more accessible and understandable at a glance.

Here is a screenshot of the color coding in the Fan Chart view. 

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