Genealogy Family Trees & Family History
Genealogical research, preservation and assembling of family trees have been a part of humanity as long as civilized culture has existed and perhaps even beyond. Those interested in uncovering their family lines tend to pursue them out of a desire for self-awareness and nostalgia.
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History
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In the past, proof of bloodlines could entitle individuals to land, money and even titles. Aristocratic and royal families proudly displayed family trees on tapestries and other such art forms as proof they belonged in the company of the elite. Others have used them to maintain a connection to the past and find some explanation of who they are. The earliest family trees date from about 500 BC. As of 2005, the world record holder for the longest continuous family tree was the ancient philosopher Confucius. His family tree, last updated in 1937, spanned about 80 generations, with more than 2,500 years of reasonably confirmed records.
Organization
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Most family trees are organized in a hierarchical fashion, with the eldest relatives at the bottom and the youngest at the top. They may be centered around a particular individual or surname as well. A basic tree may display family crests, names and maiden names of relatives and dates of their birth and death.
Types
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The modern family tree can be kept in many ways. While a standard tapestry or painting is possible, there are much more affordable options for collecting and organizing genealogical records. Most book stores carry inexpensive books that can chronicle a family tree, record important dates, store historical documents and keep anecdotal records of the family. Digital family trees are also a popular option, with the ability to download pictures and records right into a file that can be saved and shared with other family members.
Sources
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For certain cultures, the records needed to create a family tree will be easier to assemble than for others. For example, British and American records are very similar in style and are kept very well organized and accessible. Italian and German records are notoriously difficult to track. Some records that can help in assembling a family tree are marriage certificates, death records, birth records, immigration papers, census records and draft cards. Many of these records can be found online with both paid and free options available. Remember that documents like census and immigration records can sometimes have misspellings. Many people arriving in the U.S. spoke broken English and census takers could easily misinterpret names and exact spellings. For example, researchers must use other information at their disposal like addresses and other household members to determine if a name listed as "Nicoli" was really "Nicola." The majority of people who track their genealogy are willing to share their findings with others who are seeking the same thing. Bulletin boards devoted to genealogy are an excellent place to connect directly to long-lost relatives and share information. Eventually, most researchers will reach a dead end in their search. At this point, it may be necessary to travel to the source country to look directly at records held in official libraries.
Anecdotes
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Perhaps the most entertaining parts of a genealogical record are the anecdotes shared. Knowing a name or date is an interesting fact, but getting to know a little something extra about the person makes the family connection stronger. It is always fun to know if a great-grandparent or other ancestor had the same interests, career or sense of humor that the latter generations share. When putting together family records, remember that these stories are the life behind the facts and are something that generations to come will enjoy. Put your own thoughts and interests into it as well, since any future relatives will find them fascinating.
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Related Searches
References
Resources
- Photo Credit http://www.flickr.com/photos/spine/2076729686/
