Genealogy Context

Historical Context & Social Context

Genealogy is more than just records and facts. To understand our ancestors we need to understand the times in which they lived and the experiences though which they lived. It is this context that helps us understand our relatives' life trek.

The context of genealogy refers to the circumstances or conditions surrounding the genealogical research or inquiry, such as the historical, cultural, and geographical context of the family being studied. This can include information about the time period in which the family lived, their social and economic status, their cultural and religious background, and any other relevant factors that may shed light on their history and genealogy.

Context allows us to view records and facts not only with an understanding of the present day but more importantly, with the perspective from the time period of the ancestor being researched. This allows genealogical research to assemble Life Sketches and interpret family trees as more than a list of people with dates and family ancestry lines. Context includes information about the era in which are ancestors' lived, their geographical environment, and the technologies available to them. Genealogy context also includes events that may have impacted their decisions such as wars, religious intolerance, political strife, disease, and famines. Context brings not only richness to family history and relationship lines, but better understanding and insight.