- Genealogy has been practiced since the beginning of time, and genealogical information and ancestral information can be found in the bible and in ancient cave paintings. The ancient Greeks used genealogy to prove descent from various gods or goddesses, and the ancient Egyptians kept genealogical records of their dynasties and pharaohs. In the 1840s, approximately 20,000 clay tablets were uncovered that contained ancient Assyrian genealogical records. Genealogy took on a new importance during the Middle Ages, when nobility and gentry depended on proof of noble ancestry. In United States history, the General Assembly of Virginia passed the first known law requiring the keeping of vital records in 1632. In 1845, the New England Historic Genealogical Society was founded in the United States. This society was the very first genealogical society in the world.
- Genealogists typically fall under two types: hobbyists, who study genealogy primarily to trace their own ancestry, and professionals, who study genealogy to conduct research for others, to teach, or who work for companies that compile historical databases. Both hobbyists and professionals use similar methods to obtain information that is as detailed as possible about the family lines being researched. Professional genealogists often specialize in particular groups, or lines, of people. Some may focus on one or more surnames, while others may study the lines and migration trends of particular communities or regions.
- Genealogy involves the use of historical information to trace ancestral lines and obtain information about past relationships. Genealogical studies require the use of many sources, including military and pension records, immigration records, land records, naturalization records and information from the Federal Population Censuses. Birth, death and marriage records are another source of genealogical information, and data can also be obtained from sources such as deeds, wills, letters, scrapbooks, photographs, baptism records, news clippings and personal stories. Genetic analysis is sometimes used to establish or confirm relationships between individuals who are still alive. Data gathered from these sources is evaluated, compiled and then used to chart family lines and kinship.
- Whether a hobbyist or a professional undertakes the study of genealogy, there are a number of benefits from the information that is obtained. Genealogy is considerably more than just the study of family history; it provides insight into past migration patterns, cultural information, and important historical information. For the hobbyist, the ability to trace family lines and uncover unknown ancestral links can be entertaining, psychologically beneficial, and may even provide clues to medical conditions and diseases that may have otherwise remained unknown.
- Information discovered through some historical sources may be unreliable. Therefore, it is important to verify information with a second source and evaluate all data critically before incorporating it into a database, historical record, or family tree. A number of factors, including incomplete or missing data, informant bias, compiling errors and time can affect the accuracy and reliability of genealogical information.
