Genealogy is the study of families and ancestors. People who study genealogy are called genealogists. They use birth records, marriage licenses, real estate purchases, death certificates, and military enlistments to trace ancestors and family trees. Most genealogists are hobbyists who only follow their own family names as far back into history as possible. However, there are professional genealogists who can trace the lives of well-known people or royalty back for generations. Originally, the government of ancient Rome kept censuses and tax records, but most of that information is lost. After the establishment of the Catholic Church, most people in Europe kept track of their ancestors through church and parish congregation rolls. In other civilized parts of the world, the procedure was similar. However, in less civilized cultures, it was difficult to keep track of family lines, and most of the family trees were kept orally, with names passed down from parent to child. Occasionally, cultures composed songs and poems to remember ancestors.
After the invention of the printing press, things became much simpler to keep track of family lines. When the Bible was mass produced, most families kept a copy and handed it down through generations. Births, marriages, and deaths were recorded in the family Bible, so families began to trace their kinship through writing. The printing press also allowed government agencies to keep better record of municipal and state censuses. Human beings began to leave more of a paper trail through the centuries.
With the creation and use of the World Wide Web, genealogy has exploded. Everyone with an internet connection has easy access to government databases and library records dating back hundreds of years. Social networking websites cater to amateur genealogists and make it simple to assemble a family tree with a little help. Now it is entirely possible to access records across oceans and continents without having to travel to a foreign place to research in a library or office. As people’s lives become more recorded, tracing genealogies will be as simple as pushing a button or flipping a switch.
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Select the correct answer.
Which question is most likely raised by this article?
A.
Who is the leading genealogist in the world today?
B.
Where can a person find an antique printing press?
C.
What do genealogists have to look forward to in the future?
D.
Why is it important to research your family tree?