Genealogy

(jin-e-al'o-je.) [FromGr. gene a, family, and logos, description.] The history or pedigree of a family, or of the succe ion of families. A series of several persons descended from a common progenitor is called a Line. A direct line is either ascending, as father, grandfather, great-grandfather, ., or descending, as son, grandson, . The collateral relations on the father's side are termed in civil law cognati, on the mother's agnati, and the collateral lines comprehend the several lines (called branches) which unite in a common progenitor. The tracing or compiling of descents is the busine of the genealogist, and it involves an immense amount of labor and research, as well as a thorough knowledge of the science of heraldry. An unbroken descent of over fifteen generations is very rare, and there is scarcely a pedigree in existence in which ch there are not some mi ing links. Fig. 348, is the ordinary form in which pedigrees are drawn. The sign | signifies an unknown or doubtful progenitor, marriage, or i ue by marriage,. bastardy. Some pedigrees show the maternal as well as the paternal descent. Richard, Duke of Normandy Godfrey. Baldwin Albreda, temp. Will. I. daughter of Robert.: Guiscard, Robert. William. Philip. Earl Richard Adeliza. Ellen. abase son. Richard. William. Lucia. Baldwin. Hawis. Henry Jane. Richard| Mabel. Alice John. John. ψ 小 Thomas. Ellen. Stephen. Fig. 348 - FORM OF PEDIGREE. [s. 399]