Genealogy

GENEALOGY, FAMILY NAME HISTORY, and HERALDRY are three distinct strands of the fascinating field of ancestral research. It is a true saying that our past is our only true guide to the future.

Unfortunately, the lines between these three distinct disciplines often become confused. Even the word Genealogy lends itself to confusion, being one of the most mis-spelt words in the English lexicon.

Genology, Geneology, and Geneaology are all commonly used misspellings of this word.

The word GENEALOGY comes from the Latin word Genesis, which simply means the beginning, or origins. From it we also get the words Gene and the very modern word Genetics.

GENEALOGY is the study of Family Origins, whereby Genealogists compile lists of ancestors, which they arrange into Pedigree Charts, or Family Trees.

Varying from the rudimentary to the comparatively complex, Genealogy has enthralled mankind in every nation and in every period of history.

The First International Congress of Heraldry and Genealogy, which took place in Barcelona in 1928, stimulated worldwide interest on this fascinating subject.

In the early days of civilisation, an oral tradition of memory, mnemonics, and rhymes, was relied upon to provide a fairly accurate history of a family's lineage. Genealogical information was orally transmitted in the form of memorised lists of names, as in the lineages of the ancient Irish kings.

In modern Genealogy, professional Genealogists are concerned with a large number of Family Histories, and have to be familiar with the broad principles of Genealogical Research.

The Genealogist has to possess a working knowledge of Paleography, to help him decipher ancient records, like parish registers and rolls, like the so-called Roll of Battle Abbey. They must also understand chronology, so they can recognise variations in the calendars and accurately assess Regnal Years, etc.

A working knowledge of ancient languages, such as Latin, Old Irish, and Early Saxon, are especially helpful.

Old deeds, charters, seals, coins, medals, banners, tapestries, (like the Bayeux Tapestry) paintings, tombs, gravestones, and monumental tablets such as brasses, may also provide valuable information. The same is true of Family Crests, Old Family Mottoes, etc.

HERALDRY has to be the most attractive strand of ancestral family research, dealing as it does with the mysterious and colourful world of Coats-of-Arms, Family Crests, and Ancient Mottoes, which have come to us down through the mists of time. Each Heraldic Device gives us vital Genealogical clues about our ancestor's exploits in the distant past, donating a real sense of pride in who we are as a people.

Claims to thrones in bygone days often involved questions of Genealogy. When Scotland's King Alexander111 died in 1286, more than a dozen individuals made claims to be his rightful heir. It took the Genealogists of that time to successfully sort it out.

Today, Genealogy no longer concerns itself exclusively with the lineage of the highly placed, but has equal concern for all members of society.

Furthermore, it possesses a fascinating genetic interest. Distinctive human traits tend to repeat themselves, regardless of the passage of time, because Genes never changes their true characteristics.