Genealogy Technical Notes

Some key points I learned while researching our family history

• Consistency is hard to find

• Spelling may be inaccurate

• US Census forms are not consistent and can be very hard to read

• Birth and death certificates may have inconsistent information

• Family "handed down" documentation may not be entirely accurate

• Family stories passed down may be impossible to confirm

Consanguinity

Consanguinity is translated directly as “of the same blood,” or in other words, a blood relation. Your parents, (great) grandparents, uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters, and cousins of various degrees are all a part of your consanguine family tree.

What Is a Cousin?

Cousins are people who share a common ancestor that is at least 2 generations away, such as a grandparent or great-grandparent. You and your siblings are not cousins because your parents are only 1 generation away from you.

Degrees of Cousins

•   First cousins:         Those who have the same grandparents as you but are not your siblings.

•   Second cousins:    Those who only have the same great-grandparents as you.

•   Third cousins:       Those who only have the same great-great-grandparents as you.

Pedigree Charts - Family Tree

The pedigree chart starts with a person and charts the parents and each successive generation of grandparents. It commonly includes birth, death, and marriage dates.

Family Group Sheet - Family Group Sheet

The family group sheet records an individual, the spouse, parents, and children. Typically this sheet will also include occupations, cause of death, names of other spouses, and other pertinent information about the family member.