Genealogy: meaning, definitions and examples

Genealogy is often used in academic or research settings when studying family trees and collecting historical information about families. This term is suitable for formal and scientific contexts.

• She devoted years to studying the genealogy of medieval European royalty.
• The genealogy of our family revealed several interesting connections to historic figures.

Family history is used in both casual and formal contexts when referring to the historical account of a family's past, including medical records, personal stories, and significant events.

• I've been compiling our family history for the last five years.
• Doctors asked me about my family history to understand any genetic health risks.

Ancestry is commonly used when referring to one's heritage or background, especially in casual conversations and personal contexts. It's frequently used when discussing ethnicity and family heritage.

• I recently took a DNA test to learn more about my ancestry.
• His ancestry includes a mix of Irish, Italian, and Native American heritage.

Lineage is suitable for formal and historical discussions, often implying a direct line of descent or pedigree. This term is commonly used in contexts involving royalty, nobility, or detailed family lines.

• He traced his lineage back to the early settlers of the New World.
• The royal lineage of the dynasty can be tracked over several centuries.