I am often asked “do you do genealogy?”  If I answer, “Yes”, then I have defined myself as a genealogist.  However, even though I use genealogical techniques, I think of myself as a family historian instead.

Why? what is the difference?

My definition of genealogy: “Genealogy is a set of tools and rules for the gathering of statistical information about one’s ancestral lines.”

In this respect, genealogy is a science.  It uses a set of tools for research.  Those tools include methods of obtaining information.  It has rules.  It defines how to record very specific information such as how to enter a name, a date, or a place. 

Genealogy’s basic set of information is very simple.  Name of person, Date and Place of Birth, of Marriage, of Death, of Burial.  These are statistics.  However, there are many other facts about an individual that can be obtained such as cause of death, occupation, military service, homes, titles, etc.  These additional facts can number in the hundreds.  This collection of facts can be unlimited,

This collection of facts is history.  It defines the life of the individual.  As such, genealogy research is historical research.  History is defined in the arts, not in the sciences.  The basic question that has been asked many times is: “Is genealogy an art or a science?”

Answer:  Art.  Collection of data may be  structured like science and math is used in the calculation of dates, but the techniques and results create the history of individuals and families.   Much of family history involves logic, the ability to make inferences based upon examination of information.  The following is a case study of a hypothetical family.  There are decisions that you must make using logic – an art.

You have found a letter in a family bible written by an ancestor, a great-great aunt.  The letter reads:

“My Dad George Alexander Johnson of Leesburg was married twice.  Both of his wives were named Elizazbeth.

Besides me, we had the following children in the family

Samuel, David, Zach, Georgie, Daisy, Emma, Polly, Rebekah, and Liz”

It was signed by Florence Smith

Using logic:         What was the surname of each child at birth?

                             Was Florence one of the children?

                             Was Florence married? If so, what was her husband’s surname?

                             Were both of George’s wives Mrs. Elizabeth Johnson?

Now we have a problem, if there were two wives and ten kids, and both wives were Elizabeth, which wife does each child belong to?

Time for some research.  Using our genealogy tools, we check marriage, birth and death records.

We looked at some difference census and county histories and find that there was only one George Alexander Johnson who lived near Leesburg.  This helps.

Using Logic:        Is it likely that any birth records that list the parents as George Alexander and Elizabeth Johnson will be our George?

We find two marriages for George Alexander Johnson:

          George Alexander Johnson married Elizabeth Brown of Centerville on 4 January 1882

In the Leesburg United Methodist Church.

          Reverend George Alexander Johnson married Elizabeth Jacobs on 13 October 1890 in the Leesburg UMC.

Using logic:         Is it likely that George and his wives lived in Leesburg, or very nearby?

                             Could George be the Pastor of the Leesburg UMC?  Yes, no, maybe?

We found a death record for Elizabeth Brown Johnson who died 11 Aug 1886.

Using logic:  Could all ten children have belonged to Elizabeth Brown? why or why not? 

We found birth records as follows:

Born to George and Elizabeth Johnson:  George Johnson Jr 12/11/1882

Born to George and Elizabeth Johnson:  Mary Ann 02/15/1884

Born to George and Elizabeth Johnson:  Rebekah Jane 08/01/1885

Born to George and Elizabeth Johnson:  David Aaron 08/11/1886

Born to George and Elizabeth Johnson:  Emma Louise 09/03/1891

Born to George and Elizabeth Johnson:  Elizabeth Susan 01/02/1893

Born to George and Elizabeth Johnson:  Zachariah Lee 07/08/1894

Born to George and Elizabeth Johnson:  Samuel Jacobs 10/12/1897

Born to George and Elizabeth Johnson:  Florence Olivia 11/11/1899

Oh no, we didn’t find a birth record for Daisy!

We found an entry in “Find a Grave” showing a tombstone in the Leesburg UMC Cemetery which read “Here lies Daisy Mae Johnson Hughes died 29 Aug 1982 at age 86 years 3 months 5 days.

Using logic:         What is Daisy’s date of birth?

                             Where did Daisy fit into the family? 

Can you now fit all children to the proper parent?

Did Florence use nicknames in her letter? 

Is Polly Mary or is Polly Daisy? 

Could George have divorced Elizabeth Brown?

How did Elizabeth Brown Johnson die?

As you can see the collection of genealogy facts is scientific in nature, but being able to assemble the information correctly is art.  It requires the use of logic.  The hypothetical case above illustrates this.

Another view point:

I am not sure where I obtained the following article and have not been able to find it again using a Google Search. It has been on my PC for many years and I have used the information in workshop discussions. I suspect it may have come from Val D. Greenwood's exposition in the first edition of The Researcher's Guide to American Genealogy. I have taken poetic license with the article and a few of the comments are mine.

Is Genealogy a Science?
In some important ways, "Yes" ..., 

But, in other ways, "maybe" ... 

Genealogical research is scientific research in some important ways:  Like other sciences, the findings of genealogy are based on probability. Just as biologists may report on empirical studies by telling us that there is a 95 or 99 percent probability that a condition isn't caused by something other than the cause being tested, the genealogist finds probable answers to research questions by ruling out other possibilities, using the best possible data sources.

As with empirical science, the genealogist can't really prove anything. We'll never know which of our ancestors quietly let her husband believe that he was the father of that bouncing new baby. We'll never know which of our ancestors fibbed about their age on their marriage papers. We'll never know which of our ancestors' information was inaccurately recorded by a careless clerk. Instead, we increase the probability that we know the truth by seeking as many sources as possible, emphasizing those sources that are most likely to be reliable.

o Like other scientists, the genealogist must carefully document the study so that other researchers are able to replicate the study and end up with the same results. 

o Genealogy has embraced the technological language of science and information technology. Terms like data, database, data entry, research, reliability, validity, and so on, are part of the genealogist's daily conversation.

On the other hand, some features of genealogical research differ from other forms of scientific research.

o The genealogist is interested in anecdotes, stories, family legends, photographs, heirlooms, and other material beyond pure facts. 

o The genealogist doesn't typically set up an experiment, comparing two or more factors, but instead relies on conclusions based on accumulated data. 

o Genealogy is not considered a degree program per se with grant funding. However, with the ability to determine ancestral origins by DNA analysis, fields such as anthropology, history, linguistic studies, genetics and genetic disease research are often closely associated with genealogical research.

MY CONCLUSION: