Large Extended Family (8+ Children)
A traditional large Catholic family genogram featuring grandparents who had eight children in a farming community. Shows the first three children\'s...
Interactive Large Extended Family (8+ Children)
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About This Genogram
A traditional large Catholic family genogram featuring grandparents who had eight children in a farming community. Shows the first three children\'s families in detail, illustrating varied life outcomes across siblings — from a priest to a farmer to a nurse — along with the dynamics of a large extended family, shared responsibilities, and multigenerational bonds.
Key Patterns in This Genogram
Family Structure
How this family structure is represented using standard genogram notation.
Relationship Patterns
Key relationship dynamics and emotional bonds within the family system.
Clinical Application
How professionals use this type of genogram in assessment and treatment.
Family Analysis
This 3-generation genogram maps 15 family members with birth years spanning from 1935 to 1995, comprising 9 males and 6 females (2 deceased). The genogram tracks 6 medical/psychological condition categories and 3 emotional relationship types across 5 documented dyads. The index patient is Jake Kowalski (b. 1990), farm manager (works with father thomas).
The family system encompasses 3 generations with distinct patterns at each level. The oldest generation includes Eugene, Rosemary, with 2 presenting documented conditions. The middle generation includes Thomas, Mary, Joseph and 7 others, with 3 presenting documented conditions. The youngest generation includes Jake, Emily, Michael, with 1 presenting documented conditions.
Emotional relationship mapping reveals 3 close relationships, 1 conflictual relationship, 1 distant relationship. Specific patterns include a close relationship between Rosemary and Jake, a close relationship between Thomas and Rosemary, a conflictual relationship between Thomas and Stephen. Conflictual patterns highlight areas of tension that may benefit from therapeutic intervention and improved communication strategies.
Medical and psychological conditions are documented in 6 of 15 family members (40%). Cardiovascular conditions appears in 1 member (Eugene). Diabetes appears in 1 member (Rosemary). Depressive disorders appears in 1 member (Joseph).
This genogram illustrates how family structure shapes individual development and relational patterns. Professionals working with families of this structure can use the genogram to normalize diverse family configurations and identify both strengths and areas for growth in the family system.
Genogram Symbols Used in This Example
The following standard genogram symbols appear in the Large Extended Family (8+ Children). Each symbol follows McGoldrick and Gerson clinical notation conventions.
Person Symbols
- Male (Square)
- A square represents a male family member in standard genogram notation.
- Female (Circle)
- A circle represents a female family member in standard genogram notation.
Status Markers
- Deceased (X)
- An X drawn through the symbol indicates the person is deceased.
- Index Patient (Arrow)
- An arrow pointing to a person identifies them as the index patient — the individual who is the focus of the clinical assessment.
Structural Relationships
- Marriage
- A solid horizontal line connecting two individuals represents a marriage or committed partnership.
- Parent-Child
- A vertical line descending from a couple line to a child symbol represents a parent-child relationship.
Emotional Relationships
- Close
- Two parallel lines between individuals represent an emotionally close relationship.
- Distant
- A dotted line represents an emotionally distant or disengaged relationship.
- Conflict
- A zigzag line between individuals represents an openly conflictual relationship.
Medical Conditions
- Anxiety Conditions
- Shading in the genogram symbol indicates anxiety-spectrum diagnoses (GAD, panic disorder, phobias, OCD).
- Depressive Disorders
- Shading indicates depressive conditions (major depression, dysthymia, bipolar disorder).
- Cardiovascular Conditions
- Shading indicates heart disease, hypertension, stroke, or other cardiovascular conditions.
- Diabetes
- Shading indicates Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.
- Respiratory Conditions
- Shading indicates chronic respiratory conditions (asthma, COPD, etc.).
Related Resources
- Browse our genogram templates to find structures similar to this example.
- See our 3-generation genogram guide for standard multigenerational mapping techniques.
- This example uses the close relationship symbol to denote emotional closeness between family members.
- The conflict relationship symbol marks openly hostile dynamics between family members.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Educational disclaimer: This genogram example is an educational illustration of genogram notation and family systems concepts. Examples based on public figures use publicly available information. They are not clinical documents. All examples are intended for learning genogram symbols and patterns.