Genealogy

Genealogy is derived from the Greek word “genealogia” which translates to “study of family trees”. It is the study of family history and origins. It deals with an entire account of the descent of a person or a group tracing all their ancestors. The people who study genealogy are known as genealogists and they utilise historical records, oral interviews, and genetic analysis to obtain information about a particular family and to demonstrate the kinship of its members. Genealogy covers the lineage of a particular society but a family tree consists of community, family, geography and history. Thus the genealogical records are presented as “family history”. Now the basic difference is that the family tree deals with the ancestors of a particular family whereas genealogy deals with the descendants of one person.

Earlier, genealogy was studied to find out the descent of rulers and their kinship to demonstrate their claim to power and wealth but nowadays it has become a common practice carried out by people out of curiosity towards their family tree. In India, a Brahmin clan called “Bhatts” keeps the genealogical records of various castes. Now genealogical research is conducted due to various reasons. These reasons are community or religious obligations, medical interests, legal or forensic research, personal interest or scholarly research. 

Carrying out genealogical research is a complex process. It involves two main studies: historical records and genetic analysis. The main component of genetic analysis is DNA.  DNA consists of whole human history as it is passed on from generation to generation. Our DNA varies from our ancestors by only a small quantity and scientists make sense out of these differences using computers and mathematical statistics to study the genetic changes over time. Conclusions are drawn based on the quality of the records, evidence supporting them and the authenticity of the sources. The foundation of the research is led by understanding family stories and documents. Genealogists have the rule of starting working from the present and then moving backwards. 

Humans have evolved over time just like any other species of living organism on planet Earth. Zoologically, today’s humans are called homo sapiens who have the ability to walk on two feet on the ground of Earth and are developed over time from our extinct ancestor primates. Research evidence shows that humans have first evolved in Africa about 315,000 years ago. Our species have always shared Earth with ape-like creatures, earlier with Dryopithecus and now gorilla. Hominini was the only human tribe on Earth and homo sapiens are its only living species on the Earth at present times. Scientists suggest that all people have originated from apelike ancestors only and share their behavioural and physical traits in an evolved format. We have been evolving for over 6 million years and the process has not stopped. Human evolution is a continuous process as described by Charles Darwin in his book “ The origin of species”. Human evolution is not in anyone’s hands and cannot be controlled or regulated. We don’t know what kind of future awaits us in terms of species evolution but scientists are carrying out research in this field.

It has been scientifically suggested that human beings (Homo Sapiens) originated in Africa 200,000 years ago and then migrated to other parts from our most possible ancestor, Homo Erectus. These results have been concluded after DNA analysis, fossil fuel records, Y chromosome analysis. All types of mutations that have occurred around the world, already exist in Africa, thus these mutations eventually spread across the rest of the world. Therefore the place of origin of human beings is called the Cradle of Earth, it is located about 50 km from Johannesburg, South Africa. This place has been declared a World Heritage Site in 1999 by UNESCO. After being originated in Africa humans were like apelike creatures but later they started walking on both legs. After some time, the population of human beings increased and they started migrating. Migration first started to Europe and then followed a separate route towards South-East Asia. After covering the grounds of Asia, humans migrated to first North America and then South America, thus covering all the continents.

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