Introduction to Genealogy - What Exactly is Genealogy?
What is genealogy? In a strict definition, genealogy is the study of individuals, usually one individual and his/her family relationships.
However, in a larger sense, genealogy involves studies of the lives of several individuals and their families.
This type of genealogy may also include connections of families with a broader history of the times and the places where they lived.
Among other fields of inquiry that are used in genealogy research are history, law, medicine, biography and linguistics.
In a very narrow sense, genealogy might just include a conversation with an older relative.
On the other hand it can become a sometimes frustrating, other times very satisfying, life-long adventure.
Two phrases are sometimes used as synonyms for the study of one's ancestors.
These are genealogy and family tree or family history.
Although they are similar in scope, they really refer to different types of study.
Family history starts with one's self then goes back generation to generation to the ancestor who immigrated to the country where the current individual lives.
For instance if you now live in the United States, you would try to trace your ancestors back to the person who immigrated to the United States.
Sometimes it is possible to trace your ancestors back further to the country from which they immigrated.
(Note: when I was tracing my ancestors on my father's side, I discovered that my great-grandfather came from Ireland; unfortunately I haven't been able to trace him back to other ancestors in Ireland, yet.
) This information is put in a family tree, starting with you, then your father and mother, your grandparents (father's father and mother and mother's father and mother and so on.
) The names of the individuals are organized in a tree-like structure; thereby name, family tree.
You therefore end up with a complete lineage of one person, you.
Family Genealogy is more complicated.
It is sort of family history in reverse; you start with the immigrant ancestor and trace generation by generation all of the descendants to the present.
Obviously this type of research is more complicated as you have to find the older ancestor from whom to trace the generations.
The family history is usually done first.
Information obtained from either family history or family genealogy is usually written down in a chart.
There are two standard forms used.
An Ancestor or Pedigree Chart records the direct ancestors of a particular individual.
Some of you may be familiar with a dog Pedigree.
It is the same idea.
It shows whether a dog has champion ancestors and no deleterious traits.
For humans, this type is also called a Family Tree (it is drawn as a tree with the individual as the root and the ancestors branching off as in a tree).
The other chart is a Family Group Sheet and it records basic information of a couple and their children.
Templates of these charts can be obtained from the Internet.
They can be downloaded and filled out with your information.
Some are free; some are not.
This article is one in a series of articles about genealogy, including how to start, what you need, resources, more.
However, in a larger sense, genealogy involves studies of the lives of several individuals and their families.
This type of genealogy may also include connections of families with a broader history of the times and the places where they lived.
Among other fields of inquiry that are used in genealogy research are history, law, medicine, biography and linguistics.
In a very narrow sense, genealogy might just include a conversation with an older relative.
On the other hand it can become a sometimes frustrating, other times very satisfying, life-long adventure.
Two phrases are sometimes used as synonyms for the study of one's ancestors.
These are genealogy and family tree or family history.
Although they are similar in scope, they really refer to different types of study.
Family history starts with one's self then goes back generation to generation to the ancestor who immigrated to the country where the current individual lives.
For instance if you now live in the United States, you would try to trace your ancestors back to the person who immigrated to the United States.
Sometimes it is possible to trace your ancestors back further to the country from which they immigrated.
(Note: when I was tracing my ancestors on my father's side, I discovered that my great-grandfather came from Ireland; unfortunately I haven't been able to trace him back to other ancestors in Ireland, yet.
) This information is put in a family tree, starting with you, then your father and mother, your grandparents (father's father and mother and mother's father and mother and so on.
) The names of the individuals are organized in a tree-like structure; thereby name, family tree.
You therefore end up with a complete lineage of one person, you.
Family Genealogy is more complicated.
It is sort of family history in reverse; you start with the immigrant ancestor and trace generation by generation all of the descendants to the present.
Obviously this type of research is more complicated as you have to find the older ancestor from whom to trace the generations.
The family history is usually done first.
Information obtained from either family history or family genealogy is usually written down in a chart.
There are two standard forms used.
An Ancestor or Pedigree Chart records the direct ancestors of a particular individual.
Some of you may be familiar with a dog Pedigree.
It is the same idea.
It shows whether a dog has champion ancestors and no deleterious traits.
For humans, this type is also called a Family Tree (it is drawn as a tree with the individual as the root and the ancestors branching off as in a tree).
The other chart is a Family Group Sheet and it records basic information of a couple and their children.
Templates of these charts can be obtained from the Internet.
They can be downloaded and filled out with your information.
Some are free; some are not.
This article is one in a series of articles about genealogy, including how to start, what you need, resources, more.
