Separated by 40 years, the Dutton family tree extends from 1883 to the 1923 spin-off. In 1883, the ranch was run by James and Margaret Dutton. In the 1923 spin-off, the ranch belongs to James’ brother, Jacob Dutton, and his wife, Cara Dutton. In addition to their nieces and nephews, Elsa, John Jr., and Spencer, Jacob and Cara’s family members include niece Mary Abel and great-nephew Jack Dutton. Jacob also has a sister named Claire Dutton.

While all this may sound confusing, the relationship between the Dutton family in 1883 and 1923 is fairly straightforward in the acclaimed TV westerns. Forty years after James and Margaret pioneered their family ranch following their sojourn to Montana after the Civil War, they maintained the land long enough to pass it down to the next generation. In 1923, James’ brother Jacob Dutton continued to uphold the tradition and push the family legacy forward.

As Jacob and Cara continued to look after James and Margaret’s children, the family continued to expand until John Dutton III eventually took over the family ranch during modern times in Yellowstone. The real question becomes, how will the Dutton family tree be cut down or extended in the next two spin-offs, 1944 and 6666?