Cornute Family Tree Banner

This project was first developed in 2001 as we were preparing for the reunion being held in Chicago that year. We wanted to create something special that the family could enjoy viewing while finding their names on the family tree.

The initial black and white design, a 3 ft x 10 ft banner, had a few large family pictures with the classic family tree overlay. Images of Tate and Maria Cornute beneath a tree anchored the center. We were quite shocked at the unveiling as everyone in the room rushed to the banner to get a closer look and to find their pictures and names. Needless to say, it was very popular.

Given its popularity we decided to continue updating the banner for each subsequent reunion. The current design is still in the 3 ft x 10 ft format but has evolved into a very unique and modern piece of art. The banner’s black and white background consists of hundreds of family photos and documents, in much smaller sizes to fit the increased quantity. The family tree banner’s foreground center piece is now in color and is a circular Descendant Fan Chart overlaid on a large tree cross-section showing the age rings aligned with the generations.