Family & Genealogy

Although the terms genealogy and family history are often used to connote the same thing, they are very different. Genealogy is the practice of studying one’s familial history in terms of lineage as it relates to parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and so on. In addition, genealogy can involve the use of DNA testing to determine the relationship between individuals and their ancestors.

Family history, on the other hand, is primarily focused on when and where one’s relatives lived and the impact they may have had on their surroundings as well as on their family.

To put it in simpler terms, genealogy focuses on the fact that you have ancestors who lived during a particular time and how they link you to your other relatives—for instance, thanks to having a common ancestor, you might be distantly related to British royalty. Family history will focus on, say, that your grandparents met while serving during World War II, moved to California after the war, and had five children, one of who was your father, Fred, which is why you’re named Fred, Jr.

Genealogy is important to know because it can provide a significant amount of information regarding your health, itraditions, culture, and more. If your father and grandfather have a history of heart disease, it’s important to know whether their ancestors also struggled with it and what the outcomes were.

Genealogy can also introduce certain traditions that had previously been passed down from generation to generation but are now at risk of being lost. This information might affect which holidays you observe, whom you marry, how you dress, and what kind of profession you might pursue.

How far back your family can be traced will depend on a number of factors. If your family did not keep records, moved around a great deal, or immigrated from another country before the 20th century, it might be difficult to trace your family tree beyond 150 years. By comparison, if there is a well-known member of your family who lived 500 years ago about whom a great deal of research exists, it might be much easier to trace your family tree as far back as the 1600s.

There are a number of resources available that help individuals conduct research regarding their genealogy. One option involves finding a genealogist at a local university who can help you conduct your research.

Another approach is to leverage the services of an online family history and genealogy service. In this instance, much of the correspondence and research is turnkey, can be done online for a set price, and can provide some insight into your lineage.

One of the more popular and effective approaches is to find an independent genealogist via a platform such as Upwork. By simply outlining the details of the research you wish to conduct, how far back you want to go, and the objective you hope to reach, you can find a variety of independent genealogists to provide a range of research and pricing options for you.