Discovering Genealogy Trails
Where Do Trails Lead?
Discovering Genealogythe science of studying family history, tracing family origins, finding lines of descent Trails of your ancestors is extremely important. Genealogy is the second most popular hobby in the United States; but the sad thing about this hobby is that many people are satisfied with only names, dates, and places, and accuracy is not always a focus. Is there another purpose? Ask yourself, “Why am I doing genealogy research?” Is there a story to be told? There is always a story; and cultureculture is not genetically inherited, it is shared, learned, and dynamic- never static is always part of every story (if we look closely).
Discovering Genealogy Trails is much more than names, dates, and places. The refuse left along such trails is even more important, because things left behind tell a story. It is really the story that is most important, isn’t it? Where did your ancestors live? What did they eat? What did they do for a living? Were they farmers or elites? What religionbelief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe; a personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship; a set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader did they practice? What traditions have been passed down through generationsthose people that are born and living at about the same time, regarded collectively; usually a generation within families is considered about 20 years? What successes or failures are to be found among the trails they traveled? These are the stories that genealogy “newbies” do not often look for, and why more scientific methods of discovery are important – not just the simple pedigree line of inquiry. Be sure to click on the highlighted green words to see their definitions.
Anthropology Methods
Using anthropologythe holistic study of humanity in its broadest context in all times and places, ancient and contemporary research methods is very effective in discovering ancestors’ stories, as well as writing their personal and cultural histories. Anthropology research most often begins with a hypothesis, which eventually is proved or disproved; whereas genealogy research begins with a question. Who are my parents? Who were my grandparents? Who were my great grandparents? Questions like am I Hispanic or Native American? Did my ancestors come from Italy, as oral history tells? If I have completed a DNA assessment, what do my DNA results mean? In other words, who am I? We are all made up of different threads of DNA, but our whole selfa person's essential being that distinguishes them from others, especially considered as the object of introspection or reflexive action; one's identity, character, abilities, and attitudes, especially towards persons or things outside of oneself note: reflexive is also in the glossary on this site is made up of many cultural threads as well. Through exhaustive research, these questions are answered positively or negatively, using the GPS System.
GPS commonly refers to the Global Positioning System of satellites, which makes it possible for us to find our geographic location, wherever in the world we may be. However, in genealogy research, GPS refers to the Genealogical Proof Standard, highlighted and defined above.
Anthropology methods adds depth to genealogy research because anthropology methods searches for living arrangements, relies on extensive interviews, and collects vital statistics. In addition to recording pedigrees, anthropology research methods focus on ancestralof, belonging to, inherited from, or denoting an ancestor or ancestors descent, successions of persons, and inheritances.
Anthropology research uses censuses, settlement patterns of populations, and relies on primary fielda place where on location research is conducted; also known as fieldwork, or participant observation on various sites research from scholars of many other genres. One important anthropology concept is that genealogy is a cultural form; and in today’s world care must be taken to eliminate gender bias, which affects genealogical written records. Ethnography is especially likely to have such bias if not carefully edited. An article on this website explains more about Ethnography Methods. It is also helpful to watch the Ethnography PPT Presentation.
Genealogy GPS system standards also applies to anthropology research except when anthropologist’s research covers time periods more distant than ancestral research. In such cases, research may be ongoing over decades or even centuries; and the answers may change as new technology and/or cultural artifacts are discovered.
With ancestors, they are either yours or they are not yours, according to the GPS systemGPS System measures the credibility of conclusions about ancestral identities, relationships, and life events through: 1) reasonable exhaustive research, 2) accurate citations and sources, 3) analysis and correlation of all informative items, 4) resolution of conflicts of evidence, and 5) accurately written conclusions based on reliable evidence described, and/or DNA analysis. Once proven, they never change.
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