What is genealogy? This word literally means study of the family (genea = Greek for family or race; and logia = from the Greek study or reason). Today, we understand genealogy to describe the study, recording and charting of ancestries, descendancies and other family relationships. Family history studies fill in social, environmental and historical background material which often help to extend a genealogy when other written records are not available or need sociological interpretation.
Why are so many people going gonzo over genealogy? Why trace my genealogy? Genealogy research can help you learn family’s unique history – its overseas origins, traditions, medical history, and place in history…whether your relatives were famous or infamous! Learning more about who your ancestors were and the lives they lived will help you learn more about yourself.