genealogy

[ jee-nee-ol-uh-jee, -al-, jen-ee- ]

noun

, plural ge·ne·al·o·gies.

1. a record or account of the ancestry and descent of a person, family, group, etc.
2. the study of family ancestries and histories.
3. descent from an original form or progenitor; lineage; ancestry.
4. Biology. a group of individuals or species having a common ancestry:

   The various species of Darwin's finches form a closely knit genealogy.

genealogy

/ ˌdʒiːnɪəˈlɒdʒɪkəl; ˌdʒiːnɪˈælədʒɪ /

noun

1. the direct descent of an individual or group from an ancestor
2. the study of the evolutionary development of animals and plants from earlier forms
3. a chart showing the relationships and descent of an individual, group, genes, etc

Derived Forms

• ˌgeneˈalogist, noun
• ˌgeneaˈlogically, adverb
• genealogical, adjective

Other Words From

• ge·ne·a·log·i·cal [jee-nee-, uh, -, loj, -i-k, uh, l, jen-ee-], gene·a·logic adjective
• gene·a·logi·cal·ly adverb
• gene·alo·gist noun
• nonge·ne·a·logic adjective
• nonge·ne·a·logi·cal adjective
• nonge·ne·a·logi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of genealogy¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English genealogie, from Middle French, from Late Latin geneālogia, from Greek geneālogía “pedigree,” equivalent to geneā́ “race” + -logia noun suffix; gene -logy

Word History and Origins

Origin of genealogy¹

C13: from Old French genealogie, from Late Latin geneālogia, from Greek, from genea race

Synonym Study

See pedigree.

Example Sentences

Rosas said that DNA strand was sent to a genealogy company in Colorado, which was then able to provide new leads.

From Los Angeles Times

“He is surely too ashamed to face any of us. Judas Iscariot would have a warmer reception,” said Terra Vance, an Appalachian activist who genealogy records show shares some ancestors with the politician.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump's tantrum over Harris being both Black and Indian is morally repugnant, but it's also a fixation on race and genealogy that's way out of what most Americans consider normal.

From Salon

Sure, genealogy sites have made researching one’s ancestral history much easier with digitized document archives, family-tree-building software and community forums.

From New York Times

In 2020, state police worked with a DNA technology company to do genealogy analysis with the work funded by donations.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• ancestry
• genetics
• lineage

More About Genealogy

What is genealogy?

Genealogy is the study of ancestry and descent of a person or a family.

Genealogy can also refer to the actual chart detailing this information. This is often called a family tree.

Genealogy is the process of studying someone’s ancestors and descendants and trying to record their family history and relatives. For example, if you decide to learn more about your parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and so on (that is, your ancestors), you are practicing genealogy. If you decide to learn more about President Theodore Roosevelt’s children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and so on (that is, his descendants), you are also practicing genealogy.

In biology, the word genealogy is used to describe a group of individuals or species that have a common ancestry. For example, a biologist might be interested in the genealogy of dogs and wolves when researching how they became separated from each other.

Why is genealogy important?

The first records of the word genealogy come from around 1250. It ultimately comes from the Greek word geneālogía, meaning “pedigree.” Your pedigree is your line of ancestors and descendants or the chart used to show their relationship to you and to each other.

Genealogy has been practiced since ancient times. Prior to written language, singers and storytellers would pass on oral histories of families and ancestors. A common trend throughout history (which appears to have been a worldwide phenomena) is that genealogy was used to show that a person was somehow related to a legendary or important figure from the past.

Today, genealogy is often practiced simply out of curiosity. Many paid services online will study your own family history, and you can do some amateur genealogy yourself by tracking down documents such as military service records, immigration paperwork, and wills to help you identify family members and their relationship to you.

Did you know … ?

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the individual with the largest documented genealogy is the ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius, who died around 478 b.c.e. Confucius’s family line has been charted through 86 generations, and he has over 2 million officially recorded descendants!

What are real-life examples of genealogy?

Even in modern times, people are fascinated by their own genealogy and often attempt to discover previously unknown ancestors.

Meet Leif: Destined Scions from the #FireEmblem: Thracia 776 and Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War games. The princes of Leonster and Grannvale have joined forces to bring hope to a new generation. #FEHeroeshttps://t.co/6tidGf5qFN pic.twitter.com/ETzBfwSEec

— Fire Emblem Heroes (@FE_Heroes_EN) September 6, 2021

Ever since I have been doing my genealogy, I feel more at peace🥰. I knew nothing before but now… I am whole

— Chy (@KWEENOFKANSAS) October 5, 2020

 

What other words are related to genealogy?

• ancestry
• pedigree
• ancestor
• descendent
• family tree

Quiz yourself!

True or False?

Genealogy is the study of a person’s family history and the record of their ancestors and descendents.