Genealogy is the study of a family’s ancestry. It is derived from the Greek word “generation” and is a great way to connect with your family, history, and genetic records all the way back to the dawn of record keeping.
What are the sources of information used by genealogists?
Genealogists use a variety of resources to research genealogy. Prior to the advent of written documents, people recorded information by telling stories. Interestingly, much of your family history may still be passed down orally from generation to generation. So, talking directly to family members may be one of the best sources of genealogy information.
However, genealogy researchers consider record keeping essential for their research. Some families have a family bible, which is passed from one generation to the next. There is usually a record of who has owned the bible at the front, and this can be a valuable source of information. Additionally, birth certificates, obituaries, wedding announcements, and census information are all useful.
Genealogy Information: How is it presented?
The family tree is the most common way to display a family’s lineage. It is a flowchart that starts with the ancestors who went the furthest back at the top. The branches of the family tree are then the children, marriages, and so on. Often, child-friendly family trees are presented as trees, with the trunk representing the family’s core and each branch and leaf representing an extension of that family.
A family’s lineage can also be documented in a book, through a software program, or by using a spreadsheet.
What Are the Benefits of Genealogy?
Most people use genealogy simply because they want to learn about their family history. Perhaps they heard about a famous relative and are curious about whether they are related. Genealogy can also be used to track genetics and health concerns. It is possible to discover if your family has a history of cancer, mental illness, birth defects, etc.
Finally, one of the greatest benefits of genealogy is that future generations will be able to trace their roots. This is an amazing way to connect to not only your family, but also to history. Getting to know your genealogy helps you figure out your place in the world.
Getting started.
The first step in genealogical research is talking with family members. It can be a great way to learn about your family history and point you in the right direction once the information stops. From there, you can search for a birth, death, or marriage certificate. You can also look up census data and property records. The practice of genealogy involves detective work as well as meticulous record keeping.
Using genealogy as a means of connecting with the world can be extremely rewarding. It conveys a sense of history and connection. Would you like to learn more about your family tree? Find out where you came from by contacting your living relatives.
