Editing Genealogy (section)

==Motivation==

Individuals conduct genealogical research for a number of reasons.

===Personal or medical interest===
Private individuals research genealogy out of curiosity about their heritage. This curiosity can be particularly strong among those whose family histories were lost or unknown due to, for example, [[adoption]] or separation from family through divorce, death, or other situations.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bowen|first=Alison|title=Genealogy sites are helping unite birth parents and adoptees — but not everyone wants to be found|website=SCNow Morning News|date=19 April 2019|access-date=12 July 2019|url=https://www.scnow.com/news/trending/article_7d6386ad-7a1a-5674-be27-42d1c92a0d82.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712181837/https://www.scnow.com/news/trending/article_7d6386ad-7a1a-5674-be27-42d1c92a0d82.html|archive-date=12 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition to simply wanting to know more about who they are and where they came from, individuals may research their genealogy to learn about any [[Family history (medicine)|hereditary diseases]] in their family history.<ref>{{cite web|last=Tapp|first=Fiona|title=What It's Like to Fill in the Gaps in Your Health History When You're Adopted|website=Self Magazine|date=18 January 2019|access-date=12 July 2019|url=https://www.self.com/story/adoption-health-history-genetic-testing|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712222853/https://www.self.com/story/adoption-health-history-genetic-testing|archive-date=12 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

There is a growing interest in family history in the media as a result of advertising and television shows sponsored by large genealogy companies, such as [[Ancestry.com]]. This, coupled with easier access to online records and the affordability of [[DNA tests]], has both inspired curiosity and allowed those who are curious to easily start investigating their ancestry.<ref>{{cite web|last=Pearl|first=Diana|url=https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/how-ancestry-became-a-best-selling-amazon-product-by-highlighting-users-emotional-stories/|title=How Ancestry Became a Best-Selling Amazon Product by Highlighting User's Emotional Stories|website=Adweek|date=30 October 2018|access-date=12 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712202849/https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/how-ancestry-became-a-best-selling-amazon-product-by-highlighting-users-emotional-stories/|archive-date=12 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Sokolove|first=Sofia|date=30 June 2018|title=How Did DNA Kits Become so Popular—and What's Next?|website=The Alcalde|publisher=Ex-Students Association of The University of Texas|url=https://alcalde.texasexes.org/2018/06/how-did-dna-kits-become-so-popular-and-whats-next/|access-date=12 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722233432/https://alcalde.texasexes.org/2018/06/how-did-dna-kits-become-so-popular-and-whats-next/|archive-date=22 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Community or religious obligation===
In [[collective identity|communitarian]] societies, one's identity is defined as much by one's kin network as by individual achievement, and the question "Who are you?" would be answered by a description of father, mother, and tribe. New Zealand [[Māori people|Māori]], for example, learn [[whakapapa]] (genealogies) to discover who they are.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.otago.ac.nz/maori/world/te-reo-maori/mihi-introductions/index.html |title=Mihi – Introductions |website=Māori ki Te Whare Wānanga o Ōtākou / Māori at the University of Otago |publisher=University of Otago |access-date=11 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130225745/https://www.otago.ac.nz/maori/world/te-reo-maori/mihi-introductions/index.html |archive-date=30 January 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://maaori.com/whakapapa/whakpap2.htm |title=Whakapapa Maori:Structure, Terminology and Usage |last=Himona |first=R.N. |date=2001 |website=from Hawaiki to Hawaiki: the Maori people of Aotearoa / New Zealand |publisher=Kingston Strategic (NZ) Ltd |access-date=24 June 2018 |quote="Papa" is anything broad, flat and hard such as a flat rock, a slab or a board. "Whakapapa" is to place in layers, lay one upon another. Hence the term Whakapapa is used to describe both the recitation in proper order of genealogies, and also to name the genealogies. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624213408/https://maaori.com/whakapapa/whakpap2.htm |archive-date=24 June 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/whakapapa-genealogy |title=Story: Whakapapa – genealogy |last=Taonui |first=Rāwiri |date=1 Jul 2015 |website=Te Ara, Encyclopedia of New Zealand |publisher=Research & Publishing Group, Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage, Wellington, New Zealand |access-date=24 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624214112/https://teara.govt.nz/en/whakapapa-genealogy |archive-date=24 June 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Te Rito |first1=Joseph |title=Whakapapa: A framework for understanding identity |url=http://www.review.mai.ac.nz/mrindex/MR/article/view/56/55.html |journal=MAI Review |volume=2007 |issue=2 |access-date=24 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624214114/http://www.review.mai.ac.nz/mrindex/MR/article/view/56/55.html |archive-date=24 June 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Family history plays a part in the practice of some religious belief systems. For example, [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] (LDS Church) has a doctrine of [[baptism for the dead]], which necessitates that members of that faith engage in family history research.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/topic/genealogy |title=Topic:Genealogy |website=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Newsroom |date=23 May 2011 |publisher=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |access-date=24 June 2018 |quote=Latter-day Saints believe that the eternal joining of families is possible through sacred sealing ceremonies that take place in temples. These temple rites may also be performed by proxy for those who have died. Consequently, for Latter-day Saints, genealogical research or family history is the essential forerunner for temple work for the dead. In Latter-day Saint belief, the dead have the choice to accept or reject the services performed for them. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624200254/https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/topic/genealogy |archive-date=24 June 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-05/why-does-the-mormon-church-want-state-records/9943288 |title=Why does the Mormon Church want state records? And what do they do with them? |date=4 Jul 2018 |website=ABC News Australia |access-date=24 June 2018 |quote=Members of the church use family history records to perform sacred temple ordinances, such as baptisms, eternal marriages and sealings of children to parents, for their kindred dead if the deceased family members were unable to perform the rites themselves. This gives deceased ancestors the opportunity to accept these ordinances in the afterlife. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708033341/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-05/why-does-the-mormon-church-want-state-records/9943288 |archive-date=8 July 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.patheos.com/library/mormonism/ritual-worship-devotion-symbolism/rites-and-ceremonies|title=Religion Library: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Rituals and Worship: Rites and Ceremonies|website=Patheos|access-date=12 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712210650/https://www.patheos.com/library/mormonism/ritual-worship-devotion-symbolism/rites-and-ceremonies|archive-date=12 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

In [[East Asian cultural sphere|East Asian]] countries that were historically shaped by [[Confucianism]], many people follow a practice of [[ancestor worship]] as well as genealogical record-keeping. Ancestors' names are inscribed on [[Spirit tablet|tablets]] and placed in shrines, where rituals are performed. Genealogies are also recorded in [[Chinese kin#Zupu—the genealogical book|genealogy books]]. This practice is rooted in the belief that [[Filial piety|respect for one's family]] is a foundation for a healthy society.<ref>{{cite web|last=Richey|first=Jeffrey|url=https://www.patheos.com/library/confucianism/ritual-worship-devotion-symbolism/rites-and-ceremonies|title=Religion Library: Confucianism: Rituals and Worship: Rites and Ceremonies|website=Patheos|access-date=12 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712185312/https://www.patheos.com/library/confucianism/ritual-worship-devotion-symbolism/rites-and-ceremonies|archive-date=12 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Establishing identity===
[[Royal families]], both historically and in modern times, keep records of their genealogies in order to establish their [[right to rule]] and determine who will be the next sovereign. For centuries in various cultures, one's genealogy has been a source of political and social status.<ref>Alison  Weir, ''Britain's royal families'' (2008).</ref><ref>Michael Lisle-Williams,  "Merchant banking dynasties in the English class structure: ownership, solidarity and kinship in the City of London, 1850–1960." ''British Journal of Sociology'' (1984): 333–362.</ref>

Some countries and indigenous tribes allow individuals to obtain citizenship based on their genealogy. In [[Irish nationality law#By descent|Ireland]] and in [[Greek nationality law|Greece]], for example, an individual can become a citizen if one of their grandparents was born in that country, regardless of their own or their parents' birthplace. In societies such as Australia or the United States, by the 20th century, there was growing pride in the pioneers and nation-builders. Establishing descent from these was, and is, important to [[lineage society|lineage societies]], such as the [[Daughters of the American Revolution]] and [[The Mayflower Society|The General Society of Mayflower Descendants]].<ref>Carolyn Strange, "Sisterhood of Blood: The Will to Descend and the Formation of the Daughters of the American Revolution." ''Journal of Women's History'' 26.3 (2014): 105–128.</ref>  Modern family history explores new sources of status, such as celebrating the resilience of families that survived generations of poverty or slavery, or the success of families in integrating across racial or national boundaries. Some family histories even emphasize links to celebrity criminals, such as the bushranger [[Ned Kelly]] in Australia.<ref>Fenella Cannell,  "English ancestors: the moral possibilities of popular genealogy." ''Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute'' 17.3 (2011): 462–480.</ref>

===Legal and forensic research===
{{main|Investigative genetic genealogy}}
[[Lawyers]] involved in [[Probate|probate cases]] do genealogy to locate heirs of property.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/special-reports/next-kin-lose-inheritances-local-authorities-outsource-heir/ |title=Next of kin lose out on inheritances as local authorities outsource heir hunters |last=Brennan |first=Harry |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=30 October 2018  |access-date=2 Jul 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624205402/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/special-reports/next-kin-lose-inheritances-local-authorities-outsource-heir/ |archive-date=24 June 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/uks-jewish-heir-hunter-tracks-down-missing-relatives-who-now-stand-to-inherit/ |title=UK's Jewish 'heir hunter' tracks down missing relatives who now stand to inherit |last=Ghert-Zand |first=Renee |website=The Times of Israel |access-date=2 Jul 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624205402/https://www.timesofisrael.com/uks-jewish-heir-hunter-tracks-down-missing-relatives-who-now-stand-to-inherit/ |archive-date=24 June 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Detectives]] may perform genealogical research using [[DNA evidence]] to identify victims of [[homicides]] or perpetrators of crimes.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.insideedition.com/gedmatch-helped-give-annie-doe-her-name-back-some-fear-shes-among-last-site-revamps-privacy-policy |title=GEDmatch Helped Give 'Annie Doe' Her Name Back. Some Fear She's Among the Last as Site Revamps Privacy Policy |last=Nolan |first=Caitlin |website=Inside Edition |date=June 2019 |access-date=2 Jul 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624205403/https://www.insideedition.com/gedmatch-helped-give-annie-doe-her-name-back-some-fear-shes-among-last-site-revamps-privacy-policy |archive-date=24 June 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/story/a-murder-trial-will-allow-dna-evidence-from-a-genealogy-site/ |title=A Murder Trial Will Allow DNA Evidence From a Genealogy Site |last=Molteni |first=Megan |magazine=Wired |access-date=2 Jul 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190619155336/https://www.wired.com/story/a-murder-trial-will-allow-dna-evidence-from-a-genealogy-site/ |archive-date=19 June 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.topic.com/the-cold-case-factory |title=The Cold Case Factory |last=Weinman |first=Sarah |website=Topic Magazine |access-date=2 Jul 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702201514/https://www.topic.com/the-cold-case-factory |archive-date=2 July 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/07/us/nevada-dna-solves-decades-old-cold-case/index.html |title=Thanks to DNA sleuths, a Jane Doe killed 37 years ago might finally get a headstone with her name on it |last=Almasy |first=Steve |website=CNN |date=8 May 2019 |access-date=2 Jul 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516010506/https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/07/us/nevada-dna-solves-decades-old-cold-case/index.html |archive-date=16 May 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/crime/article/Arrest-of-suspected-Golden-State-Killer-through-12872258.php |title=Arrest of suspected Golden State Killer through genealogy opens 'Pandora's box' |last=Johnson |first=Lizzie |website=San Francisco Chronicle |date=29 April 2018 |access-date=2 Jul 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624205402/https://www.sfchronicle.com/crime/article/Arrest-of-suspected-Golden-State-Killer-through-12872258.php |archive-date=24 June 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Scholarly research===
[[Historians]] and [[geneticists]] may carry out genealogical research to gain a greater understanding of specific topics in their respective fields, and some may employ professional genealogists in connection with specific aspects of their research. They also publish their research in peer-reviewed journals.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/historians-identify-35-descendants-leonardo-da-vinci-180958793/ |title=Historians Identify 35 Descendants of Leonardo da Vinci |last=Daley |first=Jason |website=Smithsonian.com |access-date=2 Jul 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190624211049/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/historians-identify-35-descendants-leonardo-da-vinci-180958793/ |archive-date=24 June 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The introduction of postgraduate courses in genealogy in recent years has given genealogy more of an academic focus, with the emergence of peer-reviewed journals in this area. Scholarly genealogy is beginning to emerge as a discipline in its own right, with an increasing number of individuals who have obtained genealogical qualifications carrying out research on a diverse range of topics related to genealogy, both within academic institutions and independently.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.evidenceexplained.com/content/quicklesson-18-genealogy-academic-world-seriously |title=QuickLesson 18: Genealogy? In the Academic World? Seriously? |last=Mills |first=Elizabeth Shown |website=Evidence Explained: Historical Analysis, Citation & Source Usage |access-date=2 Jul 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701232905/https://www.evidenceexplained.com/content/quicklesson-18-genealogy-academic-world-seriously |archive-date=1 July 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Discrimination and persecution ===
In the US, the "[[one-drop rule]]" asserted that any person with even one ancestor of black ancestry ("one drop" of "black blood") was considered black. It was codified into the law of some States (e.g. the [[Racial Integrity Act of 1924]]) to reinforce racial segregation.

Genealogy was also used in Nazi Germany to determine whether a person was considered a "Jew" or a "Mischling" ([[Mischling Test]]), and whether a person was considered as "Aryan" ([[Ahnenpass]]).