Genealogical glossary

This genealogical glossary is provided in alphabetical order

A

Ahnentafel

Ahnentafel is a genealogical numbering system that lists a person's ancestors in a specific sequence. Each individual is assigned a unique number based on their generation and position in the family tree. The subject is number 1, their father is 2, their mother is 3, and so on, with fathers assigned double the individual's number and mothers assigned double plus one. The word "Ahnentafel" is German for "ancestor table."

Ancestry

Ancestry refers to the lineage or family heritage of an individual, tracing back through previous generations. It encompasses all the direct ancestors, including parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and further back, mapping out the family tree and understanding the origins and history of one's family.

Alien

Alien refers to an individual who is a foreign-born resident in a country where they do not hold citizenship.

B

Baptismal record

Baptismal record is a document created by a church that details the baptism of an individual. These records typically include the name of the baptized person, their date of birth, date of baptism, parents' names, and the names of godparents or sponsors.

Birth certificate

Birth certificate is an official document issued by a government authority that records the birth of an individual. It typically includes vital details such as the name of the newborn, date and place of birth, and names of the parents.

Burial record

Burial record is a document that records the details of an individual's burial. These records are often maintained by churches or cemeteries and typically include the name of the deceased, date of death, date of burial, and location of the grave.

Banns

Banns are public announcements made in a church regarding an upcoming marriage. These announcements are typically made on three consecutive Sundays before the wedding to ensure that anyone who might have an objection to the marriage has an opportunity to come forward. Banns records usually include the names of the bride and groom, the dates the banns were announced, and sometimes additional details such as the parishes of residence.

Bastard

Bastard is a historical term used to describe a child born out of wedlock. It refers to a situation where the child's biological parents weren't married at the time of birth. The term "bastard" has a negative connotation and is considered insensitive today. More neutral terms like "illegitimate child" or "child born out of wedlock" are preferred. These terms may be found in birth records, parish registers, and legal documents.

C

Census

A Census is an official population count conducted periodically, providing a snapshot of people living in a specific area at a particular time. In genealogy, census records offer clues about an ancestor's location, family structure, and even neighbors.

Civil registration

Civil registration is the government system for officially recording vital events like births, marriages, and deaths. These records serve as a legal document of these events and provide valuable details for genealogical research.

Collateral line

Collateral line refers to relatives you share a common ancestor with, but who are not in your direct line of descent. In simpler terms, they are your extended family, not your parents, grandparents, or the people you descend from. Examples of collateral relatives include aunts, uncles, cousins, and their descendants.

Church records

Church records are documents contain historical accounts of important life events typically recorded by churches and other religious institutions. They were often the most reliable source of information before the widespread adoption of civil registration in the 1800s. Church records may include: Dates and names of individuals baptized, along with their parents and godparents. Dates and names of the marrying couple, along with witnesses and sometimes parents' names. Dates and names of the deceased, sometimes with age or cause of death.

Cemetery records

Cemetery records document burials within a specific cemetery and often include details beyond what you might find on a tombstone. Occasionally, cemetery records might include information about the deceased's spouse, family members, or even cause of death.

D

Descendant

Descendant refers to someone who is directly related to you through a bloodline, but in a later generation. They are your offspring, and the offspring of your offspring, and so on. Essentially, anyone you can trace your lineage down to is considered your descendant.

Direct line

A Direct line refers to the unbroken chain of ancestors leading directly to you. It focuses on your parents, their parents, and so on, going back as far as you can trace your lineage. The opposite of a direct line is a collateral line (see above).

Deed

A Deed refers to a legal document that records the transfer of ownership of property, typically land, from one person (grantor) to another (grantee). These documents often contain details beyond just the sale itself. Deeds may reveal: names of ancestors involved in buying or selling property, spouses, children, or other relatives involved in the transaction, descriptions of the property, including boundaries and landmarks, names of neighboring property owners.

Directories

Directories are published listings that provide information about individuals and businesses within a specific area, usually organized alphabetically by surname. Usually published annually. Directories can be: city directories, telephone directories, and trade directories in which we can typically find details such as names, addresses, occupations, and sometimes additional information like marital status or business affiliations.

E

Emigration

Emigration refers to the act of an ancestor leaving their country of origin to settle in another. It's the opposite of immigration. These records can provide details such as departure information, destination, passenger lists, reasons for leaving.

Enumeration district (ED)

Enumeration district refers to a specific geographic area assigned to a single census taker (enumerator) during a population count. Essentially, it's a manageable chunk of a larger area, like a city or county, that one person could canvass within a designated timeframe (typically two weeks in urban areas and four weeks in rural areas).

F

Family group sheet

Family group sheet is a fundamental tool used by genealogists to organize and record information about a specific family unit. It's essentially a standardized form that acts like a mini-family tree focusing on a couple and their children. Family Group Sheets are available for download online. Family group sheets may visualize:

Descendants- This format starts with you at the top and branches downwards, displaying your children, grandchildren, and ancestral line extending downwards

Ancestors- This format starts with you at the bottom and branches upwards, displaying your parents, grandparents, and ancestral line extending upwards.

G

Genealogy

Genealogy is the study of your family history and tracing your lineage. It's about uncovering your ancestors and understanding their lives, migrations, and the stories that weave together your family's past. Some of the records that are used by genealogists include: Historical Records, Genetic Genealogy, Family Documents, Oral Histories and more.

GEDCOM

GEDCOM stands for Genealogical Data Communication, is a file format specifically designed to store and exchange genealogical information between different genealogy software programs. It acts like a universal translator for your family tree data.

Gravestone inscription

Gravestone inscription The writing on a gravestone that typically includes names, dates, and sometimes a brief epitaph.

(The) Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS)

The Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) is a set of guidelines established by the Board for Certification of Genealogists to ensure genealogical research is well-documented and adheres to rigorous standards. It emphasizes using credible sources, citing evidence, and analyzing the information to draw sound conclusions.

Good

Good is a historical term used in wills or other documents to acknowledge someone's good character or behavior in fulfilling their expected role. It could indicate someone was a responsible child, spouse, or sibling. often appears as part of compound terms describing relationships, such as "good son," "good daughter," or "good wife." These terms were historically used to describe relationships that might be more nuanced than direct blood relations.

H

Head tax

Head tax refers to a fee or tax imposed on individuals, often immigrants, as a condition for entering or residing in a country. This tax was typically a flat rate charged per person. These records might include: ancestral arrival dates, ports of entry, and sometimes additional personal details.

Head of household

Head of household refers to the individual recognized as the primary person responsible for the household, typically listed first in census records, directories, and other official documents. The head of household can be male or female and may include information about their spouse, children, extended family members, and sometimes non-relatives living in the same residence.

Homestead

Homestead refers to a tract of public land granted by the government, often on the frontier, to an individual or family under specific government laws designed to encourage settlement and development, with the requirement that the recipient settle on the land and cultivate it for a set period of time.

I

Immigrant

Immigrant refers to a person who leaves their native country to live permanently in another country with the intention of settling permanently in the new country.

Immigration

Immigration The act of coming to live permanently in a foreign country. Immigration records often contain information about an ancestor’s origin, journey, and settlement.

J

Julian calendar

Julian calendar is an older calendar system established by Julius Caesar in 45 BC and was used extensively in Europe until the adoption of the Gregorian calendar. The Julian calendar consists of a regular year of 365 days divided into 12 months, with a leap year of 366 days every four years to account for the discrepancy between the calendar year and the solar year. The Gregorian calendar was adopted in 1582.

L

Lineage

Lineage is a line of descent tracing ancestry from a particular ancestor. You might research your paternal lineage (father's side) or maternal lineage (mother' side).

Land warrant

Land warrant refers to a certificate issued by the government, granting a person the right to claim a specific amount of public land. Land warrants were often given as a reward for military service, particularly in the United States following wars like the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, homesteaders, or as payment for services rendered.

M

Marriage certificate

A Marriage certificate is an official document issued by a government agency or religious institution recording the marriage of two people. Marriage certificates typically include the names of the bride and groom, their parents' names, witnesses, and the date and location of the ceremony.

Mortality schedule

Mortality schedule is a specific section of a census that recorded deaths within a specific timeframe, often including details like cause of death, age, and birthplace.

MRCA (Most Recent Common Ancestor)

MRCA (Most Recent Common Ancestor) refers to the closest ancestor shared by two or more individuals. Identifying the MRCA is crucial for determining how closely related individuals are. The lower this person or couple is, the more closely related you might be to a person.

Military records

Military records are documents created by governments and military organizations that provide information about individuals who have served in the armed forces. These records can include enlistment records, service records, pension applications, and medical records.

N

Naturalization

Naturalization is the legal process by which an immigrant becomes a citizen of a new country. Naturalization records can provide details about the immigrant's origin, arrival date, and family members.

Nuptial

Nuptial referring to marriage or weddings. The term "nuptial" is often used in a formal or historical context. Nuptial records include marriage certificates, banns, and licenses that are crucial for genealogical research.

O

Obituary

An Obituary is a public notice announcing someone's death, published in newspapers or other publications to announce and commemorate the death of an individual. Obituaries often include biographical details like birth date, family members, and cause of death as well as information about their career, and accomplishments, funeral arrangements, surviving family members, and sometimes a brief summary of the person's contributions to their community.

P

Pedigree chart

A Pedigree Chart is a diagram or chart that represents the lineage or ancestry of an individual. It typically displays a person's direct ancestors, often spanning several generations, and is organized in a tree-like structure.

Probate

Probate is the legal process of handling a deceased person's estate, including identifying and distributing assets according to their will or following intestacy laws (if no will exists). Probate records can reveal family relationships and property details.

Parish register

Parish register is a handwritten record book typically kept by a local church within an ecclesiastical parish. These records were meticulously maintained by the parish priest or another designated official and documented significant life events for members of the congregation.

Passenger lists

Passenger lists are documents that record the names and details of individuals traveling on ships, primarily used to document immigrants arriving in a new country. These lists were typically created by shipping companies or port authorities and can include a variety of information such as the passenger's name, age, occupation, nationality, last residence, destination, and sometimes the names of accompanying family members.

R

Registrar

A Registrar is an official responsible for recording specific types of events, typically births, deaths, marriages, and sometimes adoptions. They maintain official records and issue certificates as proof of these events. In summary, a registrar is someone who keeps official records of important life events.

S

Surname

Surname also known as a last name or family name, is the hereditary portion of your personal name that identifies you as part of a particular family lineage. It's typically passed down from parents to children through generations.

Source

A Source is any document, record, or artifact that provides information relevant to genealogical research. There are two kinds of sources:

A primary source- A primary source is an original document or record that was created at the time of an event by someone who directly witnessed or participated in it. A primary source provides firsthand evidence and is considered highly reliable for establishing facts about ancestors. A secondary source-A secondary source is any document, record, or publication that provides information derived from primary sources or other secondary sources. A secondary source is typically created after the fact and often involve interpretation, analysis, or summarization of primary data.

T

Transcription

A Transcription is a written or printed copy of a document, often used in the context of transcribing old records for clarity.

V

Vital records

Vital records are official documents that record important life events. They are typically maintained by government agencies at the state or local level.

W

Will

A Will is a legal document legal document created by an individual (known as the testator) outlining how they wish their assets and belongings (estate) to be distributed after their death.

Other resources for genealogical terms

Common Genealogy Terms on the MyHeritage Knowledge Base
Family relationships-PBS
Common abbreviations -ISSOG
Abbreviations Found in Genealogy Records- FamilySearch Wiki

A