Genealogy Glossary

Master the language of family history research with our collection of genealogical terms and definitions.

A

• Abstract An abbreviated transcription of a document that includes the date of the record and every name it contains.
• Affinity A relationship established by marriage rather than blood, such as the relationship between a person and their in-laws.
• Ahnentafel A German term meaning "ancestor table" — a numbering system for listing ancestors in a structured, mathematical format.
• Ancestor Any person from whom an individual is descended, including parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and beyond.
• Ancestry The line of a person's ancestors collectively; one's family lineage or heritage extending back through multiple generations.
• Autosomal DNA DNA inherited from both parents and all four grandparents, used in genetic genealogy to identify relatives across multiple family lines.

B

• Banns A public announcement, typically read in church on three consecutive Sundays, of an intended marriage, giving the community opportunity to raise objections.
• Birth Record An official document recording a birth, typically including the date, place, parents' names, and the name given to the child.
• Brick Wall A genealogical term for an ancestor or line of research that cannot be traced further due to a lack of records, name changes, or other obstacles.

C

• Census A periodic government enumeration of population, recording information about individuals and households at a specific point in time.

F

• Family Tree A visual or structured representation of a person's family relationships across multiple generations, showing lineage and kinship.

G

• Genealogy The study and tracing of family history and lineages; the practice of researching and documenting ancestors and their descendants.