User:DiltsGD/Sandbox 3

Genealogy
Genealogy is the study of, or research into one's human ancestors, their families, descendants, and relationships.

Scope
Modern Western genealogists usually consider it essential to preserve the names of their family members, their birth-marriage-death event dates, event places, and relationships. Citing the original sources of this information is also crucial. Such names, dates, places, relationships, and sources are often recorded in computer databases and then printed on forms such as pedigrees, family group records, or descendancy charts.

Computers and the Internet have simplified and improved the recording and sharing of genealogical information. Likewise, the online availability of digital images of original genealogical source materials from archives, libraries, societies, and museums around the world has made genealogical research.easier, and more reliable.

Many genealogists also supplement the collecting of birth-marriage-death information about relatives with "memories" type information such as biographical sketches, family histories, stories, traditions, heraldry, and portraits. Collaboration with cousins on research efforts, and socializing at family reunions are often enjoyed by genealogists. In recent decades DNA studies have begun to help genealogists prove or disprove a biological relationship between any two individuals. DNA research has also been used to add insight into the probable ethnic background of an individual's ancestors. In some cases genealogy research has been used to identify potential organ donors for sick patients.

Genealogy is said to be a popular hobby second only to gardening. Most genealogists enjoy research as a way of solving puzzles and learning about their heritage. Genealogists often learn about how their ancestors participated in significant historical events such as migrations, colonization, settlement, and wars. Researchers may be able to take inspiration from how ancestors faced challenges in their lives, or learn what to avoid from an ancestor's story. Only a small percentage of genealogists pursue it as a livelihood. Some historians have used genealogy as part of their historical research. Scientists study genealogy for genetic research purposes.

Historical and Cultural Uses of Genealogy
Historically, a minimum genealogy involved the oral recital, or writing down of descendant relationships, for example, giving the names of father-son-grandson such as "Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob . . ."