25 Popular Genealogy Terms

When you research anything genealogy you will notice several words become very common in your search. Some are easy to understand while others make you scratch your head, like what exactly is a SOUNDEX?

So, if you are like me and need a little bit of explanation, look no further.

Here are definitions and examples of 25 popular genealogy terms:

1. Ancestor

• Definition: An ancestor is a person from whom one is descended, especially if they lived several generations before. In genealogy, tracing ancestors helps build the family tree and identify historical connections.

• Example: Great-grandparents, great-great-grandparents, etc.

• Source: FamilySearch Ancestor Overview

  
  

2. Descendant

• Definition: A descendant is an individual who comes from a specific ancestor, either directly (as in children or grandchildren) or through subsequent generations.

• Example: Your children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren are your descendants.

  
  

3. Pedigree Chart

• Definition: A pedigree chart is a visual tool that displays direct ancestors of an individual in a tree-like diagram. It helps track family lineage by showing parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and beyond.

• Source: American Ancestors on Pedigree Charts

  
  

4. Family Tree

• Definition: A family tree is a chart representing family relationships across multiple generations. Unlike a pedigree chart, it may include collateral lines, showing siblings, cousins, and other extended family.

• Source: FamilySearch on Family Trees

  
  

5. Census Records

• Definition: Census records are official government documents that list information about households, such as names, ages, relationships, occupations, and places of residence. In the U.S., census records have been collected every 10 years since 1790.

• Source: U.S. Census Bureau

  
  

6. Vital Records

• Definition: Vital records are official documents that record life events such as births, marriages, and deaths. These records are critical in genealogical research for confirming family relationships and timelines.

• Source: National Archives Vital Records Overview

  
  

7. GEDCOM

• Definition: GEDCOM (Genealogical Data Communication) is a universal file format used to exchange genealogical data between different genealogy software programs. It standardizes the way family trees are shared digitally.

• Source: GEDCOM Standard Explained

  
  

8. Probate Records

• Definition: Probate records are legal documents generated after a person's death, documenting the distribution of their estate to heirs or beneficiaries. These records can provide valuable information on family relationships, assets, and personal details.

• Source: FamilySearch on Probate Records

  
  

9. Immigration Records

• Definition: Immigration records document the arrival of individuals into a new country, usually containing details like the individual's name, nationality, port of departure, and arrival, and sometimes the purpose of travel.

• Source: Ellis Island Immigration Records

  
  

10. Surname

• Definition: A surname, also known as a family name or last name, is passed down from generation to generation and typically reflects ancestry, occupation, or geographical origins. It is a key piece in linking family members.

• Source: Surname History and Meaning

  
  

11. Maiden Name

• Definition: A maiden name is the original last name of a woman before she adopts a new surname upon marriage. In genealogy, this can be important for tracing maternal ancestry.

• Source: Maiden Name Definition

  
  

12. Death Certificate

• Definition: A death certificate is an official government document certifying an individual's death, listing details such as date, place, and cause of death, and sometimes additional family information such as next of kin.

• Source: Vital Records Death Certificates

  
  

13. Birth Certificate

• Definition: A birth certificate is an official document issued upon the birth of a person, containing vital details such as the name of the child, date of birth, place of birth, and the names of the parents.

• Source: CDC on Birth Certificates

  
  

14. Marriage Record

• Definition: A marriage record is a formal document recording the union of two individuals. It includes the names of the couple, date, location of the marriage, and sometimes witnesses.

• Source: Marriage Record Overview

  
  

15. Military Records

• Definition: Military records provide information about an individual’s service in the armed forces, including enlistment details, ranks, discharge status, and sometimes pensions or medical records. They are essential for understanding an ancestor's military history.

• Source: National Archives Military Records

  
  

16. Land Records

• Definition: Land records document ownership, transactions, and transfers of property. They often reveal where ancestors lived, the value of their land, and the time period during which they resided in a particular place.

• Source: Bureau of Land Management Records

  
  

17. Headstone Inscription

• Definition: A headstone inscription refers to the text engraved on a gravestone, which typically includes the deceased person's name, birth and death dates, and sometimes a personal message or epitaph.

• Source: Find A Grave

  
  

18. Obituary

• Definition: An obituary is a notice of a person’s death, often published in a newspaper. It typically includes the deceased’s name, dates of birth and death, biographical information, and family members.

• Source: GenealogyBank Obituaries

  
  

19. Cousin Chart

• Definition: A cousin chart helps determine the relationship between cousins by showing degrees of separation. For example, it explains the difference between first, second, and third cousins, as well as "once removed" relatives.

• Source: Cousin Chart Explanation

  
  

20. Surname Study

• Definition: A surname study is a genealogical project focused on tracing and researching all occurrences of a particular surname to determine family connections and origins.

• Source: One-Name Studies

  
  

21. Soundex

• Definition: Soundex is a phonetic algorithm used in genealogy to index names by their sounds rather than exact spelling, which helps in locating records where names may have been spelled differently over time.

• Source: Soundex System Overview

  
  

22. DNA Testing

• Definition: DNA testing in genealogy involves analyzing genetic material to determine ancestry, ethnicity, and potential familial relationships. The results can connect you with relatives and provide information about genetic traits.

• Source: AncestryDNA

  
  

23. Naturalization Records

• Definition: Naturalization records document the process through which a non-citizen becomes a legal citizen of a country, often providing valuable details like birth date, birthplace, and arrival information.

• Source: National Archives Naturalization Records

  
  

24. Oral History

• Definition: Oral history refers to the collection and preservation of spoken accounts of historical events and family stories passed down through generations. These stories are valuable genealogical sources that provide context beyond written records.

• Source: Oral History Association

  
  

25. Collateral Line

• Definition: A collateral line in genealogy refers to family members who are not directly in the line of descent (e.g., siblings, cousins, aunts, and uncles) but are related to the individual being researched.

• Source: Collateral Line Definition

These detailed definitions provide greater clarity and context for commonly used terms in the field of genealogy. I hope this helps!

Happy Hunting