Genealogy

Genealogy is the study, tracing, and documentation of family history and lineages. It involves researching ancestors and their descendants through primary sources (birth, marriage, and death records; census data; church registers; land records; military records) and secondary sources (published family histories, genealogical databases, and compiled pedigrees).

Genealogical research has deep historical roots — ancient families traced lineages to establish inheritance rights, and royal genealogies were maintained to legitimize political power. Today, genealogy is one of the most popular hobbies worldwide, driven by affordable DNA testing, digitized archives, and software tools that make it easier to organize and visualize findings.

The terms “genealogy” and “family history” are often used interchangeably, though some practitioners distinguish between them: genealogy as the reconstruction of pedigree lines, and family history as the broader narrative of a family’s social, economic, and cultural context.