Editing Genealogy (section)

===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>