See Whose Lives Overlapped
Give each branch of the family its own layer and every ancestor becomes a bar on the same date axis. You can see at a glance who was alive at the same time, how old someone was when the family moved, and which census years each person should appear in.
Record Uncertain Dates and Their Sources
Mark a birth year as approximate when the records disagree, and use each event's notes to record where a date came from, so you or a relative can check it later.
Share It With the Family
Send relatives a link, or export the timeline as a PDF or an image to print for a family reunion.
Everything You Need in a Family History Timeline
Here's what genealogists can do with Preceden.
Layers
Give each branch of the family, or each generation, its own layer on the same date axis.
Approximate Dates
Mark a date as approximate when a record only gives a year or an estimate.
Notes
Attach notes to an event to record the source of a date or what a document says.
Spreadsheet Import
Import names and dates from a CSV or Excel file instead of adding them one at a time.
Bulk Editor
Add and edit many events at once in a spreadsheet-like grid.
Optional End Dates
Events with an end date appear as a bar; events without one appear as a single icon.
Images
Upload old photos or scanned documents to display on your timeline.
Search & Filter
Search a crowded family timeline to show only the people or events you care about.
Zoom
View all generations at once or zoom in to focus on a specific period.
Privacy Controls
Control who can see your timeline by making it private, password-protected, or accessible via a secret URL.
Icons
Choose from over 3,600 icons to show what each event represents.
Date Picker
Pick a date from the calendar, or type it in when you want control over the format.
What Others Are Saying About Preceden
Preceden provides a very quick way to put events in context, and the product often leads to new insights about why people were in certain places, why they did what they did, who was (or what events were) influencing their decisions etc. The notes field is critical and much appreciated. Great job!
I'm using Preceden to make history timelines and to track important events in my personal life. Out of all timeline makers I've tried so far, Preceden is by far the most user-friendly. I especially love the way you can organize timelines in clear layers.
FAQs about Preceden
Is Preceden a family tree program?
No. Preceden does not draw family trees or import GEDCOM files. It works best alongside your tree software: the tree records who is related to whom, and the timeline shows how those lives lined up in time.
How do I lay out a family history timeline?
Our guide to building a family history timeline covers what to include, giving each branch of the family its own layer, handling uncertain dates, and recording your sources.
Can I import my research from a spreadsheet?
Yes. If you keep your research in a spreadsheet, you can import a CSV or Excel file to add the events and layers in one step.
Can I use Preceden for free?
Yes, you can sign up and create unlimited timelines with up to 10 events each for free. We have paid plans that let you add unlimited events and also provide more advanced functionality.
What if I have more questions?
Browse our support docs for answers, or drop us a note anytime and we'll get back to you shortly: [email protected]
Preceden for Other Kinds of Timelines
Preceden is built for more than one kind of timeline. Here's what else people use it for.
- Project Management Plan and communicate project schedules.
- Education Bring class projects and lesson plans to life.
- Legal Cases Build case chronologies attorneys can share.
- Research Map out historical and academic research.
- Fiction Writing Track characters, plots, and fictional histories.
- Personal Timelines Map the homes, jobs and milestones of your own life.
- Homeschool Keep a history timeline that grows with your lessons.
- Timeline Templates Start from a ready-made layout instead of a blank page.