Ahnentafel Numbers

Ahnentafel - a German word that means "ancestral table".

It is quite easy to prepare an indexed list of all your ancestors by using the ahnentafel numbering system.

To do this you will assign each ancestor a unique identification number and move backwards in time.
If  you are the subject of the pedigree then assign yourself number 1, and your father will be number 2, your mother number 3, your paternal grandfather will be number 4, and your paternal grandmother will be number 7, etc.

The males are always assigned an even number. 2, 4, 6, 8, etc.
Identify the father by doubling the ancestor's number, then add one to that number to identify the mother.

By listing all numbers sequentially, you can prepare an index to your entire pedigree.

If you are using one of the many genealogy software programs they can compose the ahnentafel from the information you key in.