| Genealogy, generally defined, is the study of one's | | | | Strom Thurman's great-great-grandfather. In fact, |
| ancestry. However, in actuality, genealogy is much | | | | the two may be related by blood. |
| more involved and interesting than its general | | | | Then, of course, there are the less-significant |
| definition lets on. | | | | genealogy disputes that don't have nearly as |
| When you begin studying genealogy, you realize | | | | much importance as some of these historical and |
| just how much interesting information your family | | | | political events, but they get enough media |
| history can reveal. Genealogy can shed light on | | | | coverage to make them world famous. The true |
| where your ancestors came from, where they | | | | family tree of Anna Nicole Smith's daughter is just |
| lived, what they did for a living, who they married | | | | one instance. Perhaps this dispute over lineage |
| and what property they owned. | | | | wasn't historically significant, but it appears that |
| Almost everyone, whether they realize it or not, | | | | many found it to be a topic of intense interest. |
| has participated in some form of genealogy | | | | There are a number of reasons why people |
| activity. In grade school, did you ever make a | | | | pursue genealogy. From something as simple as a |
| family tree? That's genealogy! Genealogy can be | | | | mild interest in one's family history to something |
| as simple as making a record of your family tree | | | | as significant as trying to find the parts of a |
| from you to your great grandparents or as | | | | broken family and piece them back together, the |
| complex as tracing your entire lineage back to | | | | reasons for studying genealogy are numerous. |
| ancient times. | | | | Genealogy can help a person get in touch with |
| The history of genealogy dates back to the Old | | | | who they really are. You can find out who your |
| Testament of The Bible. In the very first book, | | | | ancestors were, what they did, where they lived, |
| the Book of Genesis, we see a family's bloodline | | | | and more. By tracing your roots, you not only |
| narrated and the importance of genealogy. The | | | | learn about those in your bloodline who have gone |
| New Testament would later also reflect the | | | | before you, but you can research and gain an |
| importance of genealogy in religion and society. | | | | understanding of these members of your family |
| Both the Books of Matthew and Luke outline the | | | | that you never had the chance to meet. |
| genealogy of Jesus of Nazareth. | | | | While genealogy doesn't always dig up buried |
| But The Bible is not the only written record that | | | | treasure, it is indeed a possibility. Did you have a |
| lends credence to the importance of genealogy. | | | | rich great uncle who died without any heirs? One |
| Throughout history we find records of disputes, | | | | you never knew about? If you did, genealogy |
| murders and even wars where genealogy played | | | | could help you uncover the details that would help |
| a part in the story. Ties to royalty, rights to | | | | you claim what was rightfully yours. |
| inheritances and eligibility for rulership are all tied to | | | | There have been times throughout history when |
| a person's heritage, and genealogy provides the | | | | extreme circumstances split families apart. World |
| map that illustrates who has right to what claims. | | | | War II, for instance, tore brother from sister and |
| There are a number of instances throughout | | | | mother from child. Genealogy is a tool that can |
| history in which genealogy played an important | | | | help piece broken families back together and |
| role as certain dramas unfolded before humanity. | | | | thousands of people have done just that. |
| From something as significant as the lineage of | | | | Sometimes genealogy is just plain fun. Wouldn't it |
| Jesus of Nazareth to something as | | | | be exciting to find out you were a distant cousin |
| modernly-trivial as the true father of Anna Nicole | | | | of a famous celebrity, or that your |
| Smith's daughter, genealogy has oftentimes been | | | | great-great-great-great grandfather was a king? |
| at the forefront as history played itself out. | | | | Many times genealogy can uncover interesting and |
| Genealogy also played a large role in England's | | | | exciting facts about a person's family tree. |
| historical claim to the throne of France. King | | | | Genealogy, while always important, didn't |
| Edward III was a Norman-French descendant. | | | | experience such a widespread explosion in |
| When his uncle, Charles IV of France, passed | | | | popularity until the advent of the Internet. Gone |
| away Edward tried to lay claim to the French | | | | are the days when researching your family tree |
| throne. | | | | meant running from one public records facility to |
| He tried convincing the powers that be that even | | | | the next, hoping you could find missing pieces to |
| though his mother could not lay claim to the | | | | the puzzle by mailing away for information that |
| throne because she was a woman, she could | | | | might never arrive. |
| pass on the bloodline's right to the throne, making | | | | With more and more public records being made |
| him the rightful ruler of France. Of course, the | | | | available online, priceless genealogy information is |
| descendants of the male side of the bloodline | | | | just a mouse click away and easier than ever to |
| didn't agree and the argument eventually led to | | | | create a fluid family tree. Its no wonder millions of |
| the Hundred Year's War. | | | | Internet users have started tracing their family |
| England and France aren't the only countries to | | | | lines on the Web. What used to take years to |
| have disputes over who would be the rightful heir | | | | accomplish can now be done in a matter of days |
| of a throne because of genealogy. Rowena's, | | | | or weeks. |
| Byzantium, Portugal, and even ancient Egypt all | | | | With genealogy becoming more and more popular |
| have histories that are rich in bloodline disputes. | | | | and advanced genealogy tools now so readily |
| Genealogy finds aren't all ancient history. Modern | | | | available, there really hasn't been a better time to |
| genealogy issues have hit the media recently. Al | | | | get involved. Whether you only want to trace |
| Sharpton's recent discovery is proof of the ironies | | | | your family history back a few generations or |
| that genealogy may uncover. Mr. Sharpton, who | | | | you want to see just how far back you can climb |
| earlier this year stated that he might run for | | | | up your family tree, the genealogy tools now |
| president in 2008, recently discovered through | | | | available will make the process faster, more |
| genealogy research that his great-grandfather | | | | efficient and much more enjoyable. |
| was a slave owned by none other than Senator | | | | |