For some people genealogy is a hobby, others are more serious about wanting to trace their family history and tree. For the most part, interest in genealogy tends to increase with age. Possibly this interest is because we have more time and resources, or things happen in our life bring family relationships into focus. Regardless, genealogy has moved past writing to repositories for records and keeping drawers or rooms of hard copy records, articles and books. Genealogy today is not the genealogy of your grandparents. Genealogy is coming of age with accreditation bodies, standards and professionals in the field. And, like many other aspects of life, electronic aides are plentiful.
- Online Resources
Genealogy still requires persistence, excellent research skills, and deductive reasoning. However, the web allows you to conveniently find and share records and information. A wide variety of genealogy related sites are now available, e.g., Fold3, Ancestry, Find A Grave, etc., although many may charge for records and services. Note that information that is shared on the web, can contain errors and only a small fraction of what may be available. You should always scrutinize records and information and look for ways to verify the details that are provided. - Information Systems
Many people use information management systems to manage a broad range of family history and genealogy records. These systems allow you to store your records electronically, organize your information, and generate charts, reports, and other products. These systems can be online or on your computer but provide an opportunity to share your family tree if you choose. - DNA Testing
In the past decade genetic testing and analysis tools have also been made available that provide new information on our ancestors, as well as concerns in some cases. While most genealogy is undertaken as a hobby, albeit a serious hobby, the field of genealogy has accepted standards in place on how to document and conduct this research. If you want to employ a professional, these standards are essential to support quality research and products in which you can have confidence.
The Past Shapes the Present and Future
Genealogy can now enable you to understand your ethnicity, deep ancestral roots, and better understand how the past has impacted the present. Most people have a desire, even need, to know where they came from and how their family arrived where it is today. Many of our ancestors endured untold hardships to make us and future generations possible. These hardships and stories helped to shape us and our beliefs. We are a product of our ancestors, whether it is ancestors that we celebrate or those whose flaws we recognize.
Genealogy can help you:
- Help future generations understand their legacy
- Discover and keep intact family traditions
- Understand family records, naming conventions, and other information
- Validate family stories and show relationships to historical figures
- Tie your family to historical events or put your family in historical context
- Trace medical ailments that are inherited genetically
- Look at how your family made its living, acquired (or not) its wealth
- Find birth parents or other family members that you may not have even known about
- Prove biological relationships, which can be very complicated
- Understand religious or other community-oriented relationships
- Prepare materials needed to join heritage or lineage organizations
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