There are two standard formats for a genealogy book, called: Ancestors and Descendants.

An Ancestors book starts with a single person, and goes back up his or her family tree, listing two parents, four grandparents, eight great-grandparents, etc. Optionally, it may include each generation's siblings, but it does not include siblings' descendants. (So aunts and uncles are in, their children are out.)

A Descendants book starts with a pioneer couple, and comes down the family tree, listing all of their children, all of their grandchildren, all of their great-grandchildren, etc.

What about spouses? In an Ancestor books, spouses are major players. In a Descendants book not so much. In Descendant books, spouses themselves are in, but their parents and siblings are out. Usually only the birth names of a spouse's parents appear, and that only to help identify the spouse.

Personally, I find Ancestors book format confusing to read. It feels like reading the last chapter first, then the second last chapter, etc. Many popular novels are written in "reverse Ancestors sequence" but that seems beyond most genealogy programs (so far).

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