35 Genealogy Terms

That Family Historians Should Be Aware of!

1. Ancestry: Lineage or heritage of a person.
2. Ancestor: A person from whom one is descended.
3. Descendant: A person who is related to an ancestor.
4. Genealogy: The study of families and the tracing of their lineages and history.
5. Family Tree: A graphical representation of a person’s ancestry and descendants.
6. Genealogical Record: A document or item of evidence that provides information about a person’s ancestry.
7. Vital Records: Records that document important life events such as birth, marriage, and death.
8. Census Records: Records of a national or local population that are collected and maintained by the government.
9. Immigration and Naturalization Records: Records that document a person’s migration to a new country and their legal process of becoming a citizen.
10. Military Records: Records that document a person’s military service and history.
11. Church and Religious Records: Records kept by religious organizations that document the history and events of their members.
12. Court Records: Records that document legal proceedings and decisions.
13. Probate Records: Records that document the distribution of a person’s property after their death.
14. Online Resources: Websites and databases that provide information for genealogy research.
15. Archives and Libraries: Physical locations where genealogical records are stored and maintained.
16. Genealogy Societies: Organizations that support and promote genealogy research and preservation.
17. DNA Testing: A scientific process that analyzes a person’s DNA to determine their ancestry and relationships to others.
18. Genealogy Software: Computer programs that assist in organizing, analyzing, and presenting genealogy information.
19. Family Memories and Heirlooms: Physical items that are passed down from one generation to the next and provide a connection to a person’s family history.
20. Pedigree Chart: A pedigree chart is a visual representation of an individual’s ancestors, typically displayed in a tree-like format. It can be used to show the direct line of ancestry from an individual back several generations.
21. Family Group Sheet: A family group sheet is a document that records the essential information about a family unit, including the names of the parents and children, birth and death dates, and other relevant details. It can be used to organize information and keep track of key details about each family unit in a researcher’s genealogy.
22. Ancestral Chart: An ancestral chart is a visual representation of an individual’s ancestry, similar to a pedigree chart, but typically showing more generations and a wider range of family relationships. It can be used to help identify missing ancestors and fill in gaps in a researcher’s genealogy.
23. Ahnentafel Chart: An ahnentafel chart is a numerical genealogy chart that lists an individual’s ancestors in a specific numerical order, starting with the individual themselves and working back through each generation. It can be used to help identify specific ancestors and track lineage.
24. Descendant Chart: A descendant chart is a visual representation of an individual’s descendants, showing the lineage of a particular individual and the relationships between their descendants over several generations. It can be used to help identify descendants and track the lineage of a specific ancestor.
25. Relationship Chart: A relationship chart is a visual representation of the relationships between individuals in a family, including both direct and indirect relationships. It can be used to help identify the relationship between individuals, such as cousins or distant relatives, and to understand the connections between different branches of a family tree.
26. Kinship Diagram: A kinship diagram is a visual representation of the relationships between individuals in a family, showing the relationship between each person and the relationships between other individuals in the family. It can be used to help understand the relationships between individuals and to identify the common ancestors of different branches of a family tree.
27. Surname Distribution Map: A surname distribution map is a visual representation of the geographical distribution of a particular surname, showing the frequency of that surname in different regions. It can be used to help identify geographical origins of a particular surname and to track migration patterns of a specific family.
28. Autosomal DNA Test: An autosomal DNA test is a test that analyzes genetic material from 22 pairs of chromosomes, which are inherited from both parents. This type of test can provide information about a person’s ancestry from both their maternal and paternal lines and can help identify relatives from multiple generations.
29. mtDNA Test: An mtDNA test is a test that analyzes genetic material from the mitochondrial DNA, which is inherited from the mother. This type of test can provide information about a person’s maternal line and can help identify distant maternal relatives.
30. Y-DNA Test: A Y-DNA test is a test that analyzes genetic material from the Y chromosome, which is passed down from father to son. This type of test can provide information about a person’s paternal line and can help identify distant paternal relatives.
31. X-DNA Test: An X-DNA test is a test that analyzes genetic material from the X chromosome, which is inherited from a person’s mother. This type of test can provide information about a person’s maternal line and can help identify distant maternal relatives.
32. Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) Test: A SNP test is a test that analyzes specific genetic variations, called single nucleotide polymorphisms, that can provide information about a person’s ancestry and help identify relatives.
33. Whole Genome Sequencing: Whole genome sequencing is a test that analyzes the entire genetic material of an individual, providing detailed information about a person’s ancestry and genetic health. This type of test is more comprehensive than other DNA tests, but is also more expensive.
34. Health and Wellness DNA Test: A health and wellness DNA test is a test that analyzes a person’s DNA to provide information about their risk for certain health conditions, as well as information about their genetic predisposition for certain traits, such as caffeine metabolism or lactose intolerance.
35. Genealogy DNA Test: A genealogy DNA test is a test that combines several types of DNA testing, including autosomal, mtDNA, and Y-DNA tests, to provide information about a person’s ancestry and help identify distant relatives. This type of test is popular among genealogists and family historians.