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GENEALOGY

Genealogy is the study of your human ancestors, their families, descendants, and the relationships between them. Genealogical or family history research is the process of searching records to find information about your relatives and using those records to link individuals across several generations.

Scope
Modern Western genealogists usually consider it essential to preserve the names of their ancestral family members, their relationships, and their birth-marriage-death dates and places. Citing the original sources of this information is also crucial. These 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 many original genealogical source materials from repositories around the world has made genealogical research easier, and more reliable. Ancestry.com and FamilySearch,org are the two largest and most used websites for genealogical research and note keeping.

Many genealogists also supplement the collecting of birth-marriage-death data about their relatives with "memories" information such as biographical sketches, family histories, stories, traditions, portraits, and heraldry. Collaboration with cousins on research efforts, and socializing at family reunions are often enjoyed by genealogists. Genealogical societies exist in almost every state or nation to educate researchers about resources, best practices, and to work for the preservation of original sources. In recent decades DNA studies have begun to help genealogists prove or disprove a biological relationship between any two individuals. DNA evidence can also provide insight into the ethnic background of an individual's ancestors. In some cases genealogy research has been used to identify potential organ donors for sick patients, or individuals who may have inherited genes which make them susceptible to various maladies.

Genealogy is said to be the most popular hobby second only to gardening. Most genealogists enjoy research as a way of detecting clues, solving puzzles, and learning about their heritage. Genealogists may learn about ancestors who participated in significant historical events such as migrations, colonization, or wars. Some genealogists are inspired by how their ancestors faced challenges, or learn what to avoid from an ancestor's mistakes. Many genealogists enjoy identifying their famous, (or notorious) ancestors. Occasionally, genealogy is used to determine legal heirship rights to valuable unclaimed properties. Only a small percentage of genealogists pursue it as a livelihood. Some scholars have used genealogy as part of their historical or ethnic research. Some scientists study genealogy for genetic research purposes.

Research Steps
Genealogical research is a process. Most researchers use a cycle of five steps to help them find sources to document their ancestors' lives:


 * STEP 1: Identify What You Know
 * STEP 2: Decide What You Want to Learn
 * STEP 3: Select Records to Search.
 * STEP 4: Obtain and Search the Records.
 * STEP 5: Evaluate and Use the Information.

Successful research usually results in accurate, logical, well-documented lists of ancestors and their families. These families are usually arranged by their generation and reach back in time as far as the genealogist can find documentary evidence. Many genealogists also like to start with an early ancestor, and research the descendants of that person down to the most recent generation..

Resources
A genealogist relies on the evidence in original source documents to back up his conclusions about the relationships between ancestors. Good genealogists strive to learn about availability and content of records so they can assess which would best help their research. Genealogists also need to have a working knowledge of using the Internet, and how to find the repositories which preserve their ancestors records.


 * Sources. There are about 70 record types most useful to genealogists for documenting their ancestors. Original sources include civil vital records (births, marriages, and deaths), church records, census, immigration records, military records, obituaries, and wills. Compiled secondary sources such as biographies, genealogies, and local histories sometimes mention ancestors. Background information sources help with questions about geography, languages, and the history of places or groups. Finding aids help identify the jurisdictions, addresses, or the whereabouts of genealogically useful records.


 * Repositories. Wise genealogists learn about the archives, libraries, genealogical societies, historical societies, museums, and other repositories that house the records of residents where an ancestor lived.


 * Computers. You are not required to use a computer to do genealogy, but it helps. Computers help genealogists
 * - keep genealogical notes such as family groups, pedigrees, and descendancy charts
 * -use the Internet to find online digital images of original source records
 * -use the Internet to make inquiries, or share genealogical findings and conclusions with fellow genealogists.

Best Practices
Some of the best genealogical research practices include:


 * Work from the known to the unknown.
 * Do the easiest first.
 * Select one person and one event in that person's life to research at a time.
 * If the first search fails . ..
 * Document as you go.
 * Complete research on one family before moving on to another.
 * View the most original possible version of a source with your own eyes.
 * Follow the Genealogical Proof Standard.
 * Always discuss the contrary evidence
 * Share.

Historical Uses
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 . . ." Priesthood lineage endless genealogies claim to heaven chanting Pacific lineages marriage outside a Navajo clan divine right of kings, son of Heaven, Pharoah-god father-to-son occupations (guilds) veneration or worship baptisms and masses for the dead

Reception
Popular

Wary of over-enthusiastic genealogists

Snobbish

Often considered dubious because of efforts to link to illustrious ancestors