A family tree and proof of inheritance: what must connect the generations?

Every connecting line needs evidence

For each parent-child relationship, record the supporting document. For a changed surname, identify evidence linking the earlier and later identity. Research then checks specific links rather than merely collecting names.

An evidence register can list person, assertion, source, exact location and confidence level. ‘Anna’s mother was Maria’ needs a document establishing that relationship. Both names appearing on one web page is insufficient.

Distinguish working copies from official documents

Scans and indexes aid research, but not every reproduction satisfies a procedure’s document requirements. Polish civil-status law specifies available certificates and makes civil-status records exclusive evidence of the events they attest, subject to statutory procedures for challenging their accuracy.

Record which items are working copies and which already have the required official form. This avoids identifying the entire family yet discovering a missing certificate immediately before a formal step.

Basis: [1] art. 3, 44–45

Kinship does not explain all succession

A former owner’s descendant is not necessarily an heir, and someone outside the family may inherit under a will. The basis of entitlement, death sequence and other legal events matter. Across generations, each transfer requires separate analysis.

Supplement the family tree with a succession timeline. One shows relationships; the other shows which rights passed from whom and the supporting document. Do not force one drawing to represent both without explanation.

Basis: [2] art. 924–926, 931 et seq., 1020, 1025–1027

A useful report also shows the gaps

Do not conceal an unknown maiden name, conflicting dates or a missing record. List them separately with the sources checked and possible next steps. This gives the next researcher a real starting point.

For a court, notary or lawyer, state the work’s scope: genealogical findings, inheritance documents located and unresolved matters. A numbered evidence list is often more useful than a large tree printout. Limit disclosure of living relatives’ personal documents to what is necessary.