AY Honors/Genealogy/Answer Key

1. Define the following words:

a. genealogy

the study of a family's ancestry and history.

b. ancestor

a person from which one has descended

c. descendant

one who is the offspring of a specific ancestor

d. spouse

either member of a married couple; husband or wife

e. sibling

brothers and/or sisters

2. Read the genealogy of Christ

a. Be able to tell where it is found in the New Testament

Luke 3:23-38 and Matthew 1:1-17

b. Write out the genealogy of Christ – beginning with Adam

Luke 3: Adam, Seth, Enos, Cainan, Maleleel, Jared, Enoch, Mathusala, Lamech, Noe, Sem, Arphaxad, Cainan, Sala, Heber, Phalec, Ragau, Saruch, Nachor, Thara, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Juda, Phares, Esrom, Aram, Aminadab, Naasson, Salmon, Boaz, Obed, Jesse, David, Nathan, Mattatha, Menan, Melea, Eliakim, Jonan, Joseph, Juda, Simeon, Levi, Matthat, Jorim, Eliezer, Jose, Er, Elmodam, Cosam, Addi, Melchi, Neri, Salathiel, Zorobabel, Rhesa, Joanna, Juda, Joseph, Semei, Mattathias, Maath, Nagge, Esli, Naum, Amos, Mattathias, Joseph, Janna, Melchi, Levi, Matthat, Heli, Joseph, Jesus

3. List five ways to obtain family genealogy information

Talk to ancestors, Internet, Library, Public Records, Marriage Databases, Ellis Island Records, Mormon Records,census, cemetery, passenger list, military records, obituary, newspaper

4. Know at least three societies that help with genealogy research

• The National Genealogical Society, Arlington, Virginia
• The Federation of Genealogical Societies
• Federation of East European Family History Societies
• Historical & Genealogical Societies of the U.S.

http://www.genealogylinks.net/

5. Learn four steps important to genealogy research

• Interview Family
• Check for family records at your house or those of relatives
• Previous research done by other family members
• Access the internet and begin searching (here are a few of the available options)
  • http://www.genealogy.com/79_fs-start.html
  • http://www.genealogylinks.net/

6. What is the purpose of documentation?

• To check and validate the data.
• By using documented data you won't run the risk of duplicating efforts that someone else has made.
• To pass on the information to future generations.
• Satisfaction of viewing actual artifacts.
• Others can help you continue your search if you reach a perceived dead end.

7. Define a primary source versus a secondary source for documentation.

Primary Source

Someone who was actually present at the event, someone with first-hand knowledge documenting the event shortly after it occurred. Examples would be birth and death certificates, Family Bibles (if recorded by someone witnessing the event shortly after it occurred. Letters describing the events as they are taking place by a person involved.

Secondary Source

Event information obtained from a primary source. For example, history books, encyclopedias, letters written well after the event.

For example:

• Primary Source: Grandpa wrote Grandma a letter while he was in the war telling of his experiences.
• Secondary Source: The article you write about your grandfather's experiences.

8. Prepare a four-generation family chart – beginning with yourself.

Here is a blank four-generation family chart. Fill in the names after "name:", put the date of birth after the "b:", and the date of death after the "d:". If the person has not died, leave the date of death field blank. If you do not know a precise date, put a year (or a range of years). If you do not know a piece of information at all, leave the field blank.

---

			Great-grandfather name: b: d:
		Grandfather name: b: d:
			Great-grandmother name: b: d:
	Father name: b: d:
			Great-grandfather name: b: d:
		Grandmother name: b: d:
			Great-grandmother name: b: d:
Yourself name: b:
			Great-grandfather name: b: d:
		Grandfather name: b: d:
	Mother name: b: d:		Great-grandmother name: b: d:
			Great-grandfather name: b: d:
		Grandmother name: b: d:
			Great-grandmother name: b: d:

9. List ways to record your genealogy information.

1. Family tree chart
2. Computer Genealogy program
3. Family group sheets

10. Research your family history by talking/writing to your oldest living relative. Ask the following:

• a. first memory
• b. When and where you were born?
• c. First church you remember attending?
• d. Names of schools, and location, you attended.
• e. Where you lived at age ten and age fourteen.
• f. From what country did our ancestors emigrate?
• g. Where and when were you married.
• h. If you had children please give their names, place and date of birth.
• i. Write a thank you to your relative for their time and include a photo of yourself and ask them if they would be willing to share a copy of an older family photo with you.

It would be a good idea to let your relative know ahead of time that your are interested in family history. He (or she) may surprise you with a wealth of documentation, and is sure to be delighted to share this information with you. You might get to read love letters your great-grandfather wrote to you great-grandmother, or see photographs you have never seen before. You may hear stories of long-dead relatives, or learn things you never knew about living relatives (such as your parents). It would be a good idea to bring an audio recorder so you can go back and listen to the conversation again. Such a recording will become a valuable part of your family's history.

11. Make a historical record of your life including:

a. Genealogical chart

See requirement 8 for a chart, or use a computer program to record the information (you'll need to print it out in order to share is as per part e).

b. Records that pertain to your life

These records would include any of the following:

• Birth certificate
• Child dedication certificate
• Baptismal certificate
• Marriage license
• Military orders (assignments)
• Deed to family property

There is no reason for you to use the originals when you share this information with others, as the consequences of loss or damage can be severe. It would be better to make a photocopy. These days, identity theft has become a significant concern, so you may wish to black out some information but only on the copies. The Social Security number of living person should never be shared with anyone who does not have an official need for it.

c. Pictures

These can be put in a photo album, mounted on a display board, or made into a computer slide show.

d. Stories

If the stories have not already been recorded in writing, write them down. Even if you have an audio recording, a written record is still important, because audio technology changes over the years. It is entirely possible that you will be unable to find a tape player to play a cassette recording of your great-aunt's story in the future. CD's are nearly certain to fall victim to technology's relentless advance as well. This also applies to word processor files - print them out! It's already very difficult to read computer files that were ten years ago, and nearly impossible to read ones created 20 years ago. A written copy printed on acid-free paper will last for centuries if properly stored, and no special equipment is needed to read it.

e. Share this with your group/club/school

If you are working on this honor as a group, you can all get together and share your information. You can also host a get-together and share your personal history then.