Family History - Different ways to trace it
When someone is interested in knowing about their family history, they are interested in studying the generations of people who may be related. This is also called genealogy. Different forms of family history include genealogy, which is to search a living person’s ancestral roots, back into time from the present time, or tracing ancestors from their time to the present. This is accomplished by using archival records. Tracing it also called genetic genealogy which is when relationships are discovered by comparing the DNA of individuals who are living. It can also be done by doing one-name studies which is where an investigation is performed of all people who have a common surname or through one-place studies where population histories are studied. Heraldis and peerage studies are also another way of doing family history because they inquire into the legal right of a person to bear arms or to claim their noble status. Clan studies are where inquires into specific groups are made because they share patrilineal or matrilineal connections to a tribal chief and his servants, even though they may not be related by blood and may not have a common surname. Research of family history usually begins with the extended family.
Tracing family history was of extreme interest up until the late 19th century because they were usually done to see if there was any wealth to obtain by inheritance. In societies that were considered racist, such as Nazi Germany, these were usually done to confirm any affiliation with the “master race.”
Family history can either be free information or resources on printed documents, electronic documents or even a video or sound recording so it can be preserved for future generations. They are also often created as a memorial for the deceased. Some examples of records that are used are baptism or christening records, birth certificates record, cemetery records, coroner’s reports, death records, military records, news papers and wills. Family history web sites are also extremely useful.
Children love to hear about their family history or heritage at home and love hearing stories about their roots whether it was how couples met or why someone formed a hobby. This sometimes encourages them to do the same hobby or sport because of someone else who did it. Creating something that tells about family history doesn’t need to be elaborate in order to be successful and effective. Journals, albums or a scrap book can be a lovely time capsule.