Genealogy Information

Relationship between Genealogy and Ancestry

Genealogy is a research method used to interpret and analyze a person’s lineage while the term ancestry is used to signify a person’s bloodline.

Goal:

A lot of people across the globe are engaging in tracking their family tree in order to determine their origins or simply by unfolding a few facts about a family history or ideas similar to this. This boils down in learning more about where your lineage came from to help you understand about numerous important things regarding your ancestors that would purely provide some answers to your questions.

Ancestral Categories:               

A genealogist is someone who undergoes the study. There are actually two categories of ancestry, paternal (your father’s lineage) and maternal (your mother’s lineage). Most researchers start by investigating your direct relatives from your great-grandparents up to your grandparents. Otherwise, for most experts on this matter, they may do further extractions in tracing down your lineage from your other relative bloodlines (not your direct lineage) including your aunts and uncles.

Genealogy Reports:

Primary and secondary records are the main forms of family tree. The former are evidences which were previously created during the moment where an incident happened while the latter are evidences which were created not at the time where an occurrence happened for instance a death certificate.

Genealogy Diagram

This is utilized to outline your familial lineage. Pedigree charts, descendants’ charts, and family collection sheets are the most common forms of diagram. The former talks about an outline of your direct ancestors starting with you, the middle provide information starting from the oldest identified ancestor with a listing of children in a particular familial lineage and the latter talks about an organization of your ancestors through their own families including their better half and kids.

Sources of Information

Lastly, studying your ancestry can be carried out in several useful ways mainly because of the advancement of technology where you can basically access genealogy reports online whether for subscription or for free. Also, you can gather records by visiting municipality archives and libraries in places where your ancestors resided.

You wrote to a church or civil registry at least two months prior and you have not heard anything since then. That’s indeed very frustrating! Well, review these suggestions to help you out with your genealogical investigation.

• Words: For the intention of your genealogy investigation, it is recommended that you use phrases highlighting your concerns. This will be directed to the right person concern within the institution. This way, your queries will be noted by the person in-charge.
• Eligibility to procure important documents: certain registries have only limited archives for your relatives or the following descendants. Since these are confidential, it’s important that you provide personal identification. This is proof that you’re authorized to procure all confidential documents by your relatives and ancestors. Other credentials include certificate of birth, marriage or death of the subject to investigate. These will confirm certain data from the archive and eventually be used in making genealogical tree.
• Honorary donations: The “payment” seems to be a word prohibited in our world of free information. In fact, it can be located in the Internet or in a public library but in some institutions little payments are being asked in exchange of that vital information you wish to retrieve.  In the cases of churches or charitable or non-lucrative institutions, it is good if you send small grant for the work that they need to do for you. Usually, this can range from $10 to $100.
• To become as accurate as possible: When you’re asking for genealogical information to retrieve, it’s crucial that you state your concerns as accurate as possible because nobody will be dedicated enough to read your mail and manage to understand what you’re trying to say.
• Envelopes with stamps: This is also important and will cost you a few pennies especially if you’re sending a letter outside the country. Try to include all necessary information for the letter delivery to make sure that they can able to receive it successfully.
• Your photocopy: It’s also important to keep duplicates from the attached files since it is necessary that you follow with the messages regarding the matter whenever both parties exchange mails.
• Confirmation that you received the genealogical information you’ve ask for: Send back a letter stating that you’ve received the attached files or just send a small post card.

Finally just be patient and follow these advises above. As long as you made a clear and concise letter regarding your concerns, you’ll surely receive a feedback from certain registry and eventually procure what you needed in your genealogical investigation.

David Reich, Priya Moorjani and Alkes Price – people from Harvard University – make use of the modern genetics as a tool for tracking down one’s origin instead of just merely using it for predicting the tendency of each person to certain health problems. This new study contributes to revealing data  about the migration of European, African population, and Middle East in ancient times.

The instrument of the three researchers identified a proportion of Sub-Saharan African ancestry existing in a particular population of Eurasia, the geographic area that includes modern Europe and the Middle East. Unlike the previous studies of this mixed ancestry, they quantified the percentage of African ancestry present among the European and Middle Easterners.

The researchers did not find any African genetic tracks in the Northern European population. However, they detected the presence of Sub-Saharan African ancestry among the Southern Europeans, Middle Easterners and the Jewish population.

The researchers said that Southern Europeans can attribute 1 to 3 percent of their genetic track to African ancestry and that they can date their Sub-Saharan African ancestry back to 55 generations or about 1,600 years ago. The population in the Middle East acquired 4 to 15 percent of African ancestry with the mixing of populations dating 32 generations ago. While, in a vast range of Jewish population, it was identified that its Sub-Saharan African ancestry goes back to 72 generations and that they constitute 3 to 5 percent African genetic composition.

These findings address the enduring debate over African multi-cultural influences in Europe. The dates of population mixtures agree with the documented historical events. For example, the blending of Southern European and African populations corresponds with the events that happened during the Roman Empire and Arab migrations that succeeded. Even the mixture dates among the Jewish and African populations are correlated with the Biblical events. However, Reich emphasized that they are not claiming that the African ancestry is connected with migrations associated with the events in the bible. Nonetheless, he defines it as interesting to speculate.

Thanks to the modern genetics for providing us information regarding the DNA linkage of Europeans, Middle Easterners to the Sub-Saharan Africans. Definitely, population boundaries that most people think as impermeable are, in fact, not that way.

Spanish immigration to the United States has been greater than the previous. In fact, the Spaniards settled down in Mexico and the Islands of the Caribbean for many centuries right before the English settle down in Jamestown in 1607.

The first Hispanic colonists within the area of the United States were those that were based in San Agustín, Florida, in 1565 and in the New Mexico, in the extreme west, in 1598.  The immigration continues to the present time, in which Mexican, Central American, South American, Cuban, hundreds of Puerto Rican, and other native immigrants of the islands of the Caribbean one, continue to disembark in the United States.

Many of these immigrants will be able to draw up their roots to from these American countries to Spain. Others will find that their roots are not Spanish, but French, German, Italian, African, Portuguese, or of East Europe ancestries.

Like the United States, the countries of Central America and the South have been a receiver of different migratory clans.

Following the Sign of Your Ancestors

Before the end of the colonial period around 1820, considering of 12 million Spaniards migrated first to Mexico and then to Central America and South America as well.

The immigration that followed in the later century was considerably greater. From a total of 54 million people who migrated from Europe to the American Continent between 1820 and 1920, 20 million went first to Latin America (Argentina, Brazil, Cuba and Uruguay).

Good part of these immigrants came from Italy and Spain. Of course, all the Spanish immigration didn’t stop from migrating to Latin America up to now.

Earlier this year, a person named Carol was trying to trace the branches of her genealogical tree of relatives in Ohio. She said that their genealogy became disordered due to deaths, marriages, name changes and failure of registry. However, through the help of FAMILYSEARCH (http://www.familysearch.org), which is an organization that gives anyone an access to index and know their family history, she succeeded in her goal to arrange their genealogy.

Despite that, many people are hopeless to believe that they still have the chance to know who their ancestors are. But thanks to the volunteers of FAMILYSEARCH organization who made their desires possible.

How Do You Index Using FAMILYSEARCH?

To index through FAMILYSEARCH, you have to download a software that will allow you to put on some data about your family. Such data are your surname, middle name, grandparents name and any other details regarding your family history. That information will be indexed in the software that you downloaded and volunteers will help you set down records. You can also choose a registry of your choice including marriage, date of birth and death, census and many more. The organization will then convert it into digital images stored in the online system and publish it in the website. This indexing system will let you find your ancestors without paying a cent and without leaving your homes.

Indeed, this discovery service helps thousands of people every day. It doesn’t only make a person happy with the fact that they found their relatives but for the most, they knew who they really are and where they came from. This may sound insignificant, but for most people, finding what they are looking for is a personal and exciting experience.

Where These Registries Came From?

Sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ and of the Saints of the last days, the organization of FAMILYSEARCH has been a resource and aid to those people who aim to find their ancestors since 1894. It works with governments, churches, archives and libraries around the world in preserving important registries. FAMILYSEARCH also began microfilming registries and capturing digital images in the year 2000. They have also dispersed 200 cameras in 45 different countries.

With this convenience, majority of the people are still scared to index because of the fear to commit error. But according to the inventors, if someone commits error, the process will pause and will allow redoing the action. So this online indexing system is undeniably helpful and very user-friendly.

This system has been used by  many for the past years and it had accepted volunteers for over 130 countries. But the fact is that, there is still a shortage of volunteers because many are now more curious of knowing about their family history for the purpose of knowing themselves more and completing their lives. Unfortunately, the present number of volunteers isn’t enough to cater all their needs. So for more information about being a volunteer, please visit http://indexing.familysearch.org/.

A group of biologists, computer scientists and mathematicians from different nations have developed an algorithm that can help in tracking the genetic ancestry of thousands of individuals in only minutes without even having any previous knowledge about their origins.

Unlike similar programs in the past which required having certain previous knowledge on the ancestry or origin of the individual, the new algorithm looks for specific markers in the DNA. These are known to be SNPs or single nucleotide polymorphism which does not require more than a simple DNA sample. The researchers used originating genetic data from previous studies in order to back up their research and to confirm the results. They compare the used data with the originating ones of the new HapMap database which is directed to discover and to map the variations in the human genome.

“Now that we have confirmed that the program works correctly, we hoped to put it to work on a much greater scale, using hundreds of thousands of SNPs and millions of individuals.” states Petros Drineas, who is one of the authors of the study. He also added that the program will be a useful tool to be able to unravel our genetic ancestry and to better orient the use of drugs and other medical treatments since it increases the possibility that it will pose different effects on people who have different ancestries.

Since the program has precised degree that surpass 99 percent and has correctly identified the ancestry of hundreds of individuals during the initial tests, this allows people to find out about their ancestry with remarkable precision. Also, this will help historians and anthropologists in their studies with regards to the origins of the diverse population due to clearly identifying populations which are genetically similar like the Chinese and Japanese and also those which are genetically complex like the Native Americans, Europeans and Africans.

Genealogy is the science that deals with the ancestry and descendants of each individual including the relations between the different members of the family. With the height of historical science, mainly from half-full of century XIX, the investigation on the origin of the people acquired a scientific rank and it was included in the university disciplines.

In the  past, origin and status were two important things to be considered when talking about the genealogy. Not only can it show the property of certain family but also can track down a person’s succession and its right of inheritance. In short, it merely constitutes a  subcategory of the historical science that helps us to investigate historical relations.

In addition, the genealogy facilitates the genealogical data processing, for example, the ascent and the declivity of families, the transaction of property goods, the inheritance of professions, the relationship between birth and class, or the dynastic policy with respect to the marriage and the diplomacy between families.

In a more empirical angle, the genealogy is an  important resource necessary to find out data like the frequency of births, the age of the pairs at the time of its marriage, the life expectancy, the causes of the deaths, the hereditary duration of a generation, diseases, the inheritance of physical and psychic characteristics, etc.

The Genealogy As A Historical Resource

In relation to the onomastic, the genealogy investigates the origin, the dispersion and the meaning of last names. Consequently, the genealogy is tied with other auxiliary sciences that allow us to find out and to portray an individual’s detailed familiar history. For this reason, in a way the genealogy is a field where it offers great facts in terms with geography and the historical demography, the heraldic one, the policy of the mother country, political and social history, and also with the genetics.

Moreover, important sources for finding a person’s genealogy are mainly the parochial books. These serve as sources similar with the registry for the births, baptisms, marriages and deaths of individuals. Other sources include the census of inhabitants, university matriculation, funeral testaments and registries. Thus,  it is important to find out where these types of information or sources can be found easily.

Fortunately, the internet is the most convenient genealogical source nowadays but before initiating any investigation, it is important to consider the different sources available apart from the internet in order to come up a very detailed research regarding with your genealogy or another person’s family history.

An individual without identity is like an island full of doubts and uncertainties since no matter what you do, there is something in you that inexplicable. That’s why, to know your familiar genealogy is also important  in order to have a balance in you.

A lot of children around the world who later on discovered that they were being adopted by their present parents tend to get lost and  confused when they learned about their real identity. For this reason, simply by knowing your familiar genealogy can be quite helpful in leading you towards possibilities like finding your real ancestors. Apart from knowing their ancestors, it’s also one way for other individuals to know the origin of their last name. It’s fun to know that you have ancestors in the past who were scientists, artists, or any famous figure in the society.

However, whether your ancestors are important or not important during that time, it is still worth the cause to do a research concerning your familial history and by making a genealogical tree, you can surely gain some important points. You can even gather relevant facts from the libraries, newspapers, family books, old photos, and interviews from the oldest people you’ve known like your grandparents or old friends. But the immediate source of information in the first place is your parents and then you can go with your uncles, grandparents etc.

Genealogical Tree

For a more organize research or investigation about your own genealogy, it is always recommended to do a genealogical tree. You need to have a pen and notebook where you can write several important details like the names, dates and all probable data to begin your history search and also, a genealogy tree.

Ascending and Descending Genealogy

Genealogy means the study of the descendants but it can also talks about the ancestry.When you differentiate both ideas: the ascending and descending genealogy, the preceding idea is about identifying an individual’s ancestors including his parents, grandparents and great grandparents. While the latter talks about an individual’s descendants like their children and grandchildren for this matter.

During your research, oral sources may be important but documentary sources are also crucial as this can confirm and give the certainty of the investigation. In addition, when you look over on the details about your last name, you can actually gain reliable information like where your remote ancestors lived in all the continents.

Other Utilities of the Genealogy

So, how relevant it is to figure out your familiar genealogy? Well, if somebody of the family has a type of disease, a genealogy research will help the other family members to prevent from having the same or other disease.

Overall, your investigation on your familiar genealogy will lead you on a lot of good things. For one, it helps you to know your roots even those who are adopted by birth. Although the branches and leaves can be so different in many ways, still human beings have very similar roots in reality and soon we will figure out that each individual or group of individuals are somehow connected with each other.

Is it necessary to get the kids involved in a genealogy?

The kids’ involvement is of course necessary in a genealogy because first of all, it is crucial that someone will carry on the legacy at the same time will continue the research for the following years to come. A research which deals about a certain family tree can be done for nothing if it cannot be conveyed to the subsequent generations.

The same idea can be applied within the genealogy societies; they need the younger generations to engage in the paradigm so they can pass on the rich information to the other people in the following 10 to 20 years or more about the various family histories which these communities have had researched.

How to entice the kids in learning the genealogy?

Firstly, you can do a heritage scrapbook along with your younger siblings and cousins. Make sure to gather various copies of the photos and buy several materials (like stickers, stamps, ribbons etc.) which are needed for the activity. Allow them to do the cutting of materials including the pasting and designing as this can enhance their artistry while allowing them to realize that it is also fun to learn about the family tree.

Then, you can share with them who were on the pictures and how they were related with your family. This is a good time to have a bonding moment with them while making a point to talk with them about your own lineage.

On the other hand, you can just show some pictures from the album and try to use the copies of the photos because sometimes the kids might ruin the original photos. After a while you can provide a quiz as a form of educational yet enjoyable activity for them or rather tell a good and interesting story about your ancestors. Thus, what you really need to do is have an effort to make it more fun so the kids will love it and eventually get involve with it.

Another appealing genealogy activity to do together with the kids is to cook a particular family recipe and have them as your assistance. Get them involved in the kitchen while putting an apron on them and let them enjoy the cooking activity.

Last but not least, you can share some helpful genealogy blogs on the internet for the older kids since these are excellent tools to learn more about various family histories and ancestries. Try several ideas that are mentioned above and start involving all the children in learning the family tree.

When doing your research, it is always best to back up your genealogy files to prevent from losing all vital information that you gathered in the course of your research considering that it is inevitable for your PC to encounter notorious viruses that can destroy all your stored files. This can also save your files whenever there is a natural disaster or any unforeseeable situations that may contribute in losing entirely your hard-earned files.

Below is a list of ways that will help you in backing your genealogy files:

• You can use an external hard drive that contains large memory capacity so, if you have a few hundred bucks, you can surely buy a reliable external hard drive to back up your research files. Just make sure to go on sales to obtain much cheaper price once you purchase a hard drive.

• Another useful option is the use of CDs, Flash Drives, or DVDs. You can burn all vital files from your genealogy research in any of the choices mentioned above to back up your files. However, sometimes it’s quite expensive to use this option because usually these are non-rewritable so you cannot update your files from time to time. However, good thing there are CDs and DVDs which are rewritable to save your files in a much convenient way.

• An additional option is the use of online external back services. What you’ll need to do is to download a program towards your computer. You can choose from that program what files you opt to back up then that program will automatically back up your chosen genealogy files depending on the time you’ve set the program. Besides, it’s very easy to download at the same time you’re secured that all your files are being backed up online. Usually, the program can offer free 2GB at first and then if you’ll like the service, you need to sign up on a monthly basis for only 4.95 dollars for more unlimited offers.

Thus, if you really want to prevent your genealogy files from losing them entirely, it is best to back up them in the first place. Just try any options that are mentioned above and you’ll definitely make your files a lot safer while doing your genealogy research. 

Many people nowadays find it so hard to decipher their African ancestry in relation with the country they came from perhaps because the continent of Africa is very vast including an array of African tribes.  In some way, if you really want to find out where you specifically came from, the best way to do first is to find out what tribe are you from to help you out in determining the exact African region where your lineage came from.

Actually there aren’t any physical differences when you actually get towards the East Africa because back then, there were a lot of combining bloodlines and this is where it gets a bit complicated and difficult simultaneously because somehow everyone is the same. So, if you’re not too keen in your research, you’ll surely encounter a dead end. What you really need to do next is to become more specific in figuring out several things in search of your African ancestry like locating the exact region you are from and looking into details the various groups or tribes in the Africa region.

Subsequently, you need to know and differentiate various African tribes in terms with their language, culture, and other probable indicators to set each tribe apart. However, the image of the new Africa in the present has something to do with more on European imprints so; it’s relatively hard for you to trace your pedigree or family tree in this instance. For example if you found out that you’re likely came from a Nigerian race but in truth, you came from a different ethnic group.

At the moment, you may find yourself that you’re a Nigerian but hundred years back, the ancestral group was something else because as mentioned above, a lot of African tribes in the past were a product of mixing bloodlines. This is the time where a lot of gaps come in facade that you need to fill in on the course of your family tree research.

Thus, deciphering your African ancestry is not that easy because you really need to work hard to come up with the best result and there is no easy way to do it except when you do it with hard work, perseverance, sufficient knowledge and exemplary skills. You really need to dig deep and to do a lot of figuring out to fill in the gaps and to find answers on the European involvement in terms with your African lineage.