Genealogy (Family Trees) and Whakapapa vs Family History
Genealogies are ‘family trees’, graphical or textual representations of ancestors and their family relationships. They share a similar structural form to Māori Whakapapa that has traditionally been passed down through the generations orally, though many are now documented.
Family histories on the other hand are stories about those ancestors and their kinsfolk.
From: Genealogy and family history by David Swain (Te Ara - The Online Encyclopedia of New Zealand.)
Why start a family history?
Our family history goes beyond the names and dates we find in our tree. It’s about what makes us who we are. It’s about people who lived and breathed and suffered and triumphed. It’s about roots and branches and leaves and entire forests. It’s about all of us. From Familysearch.org
“It’s about where your ancestors came from, how their world affected who they were, how they lived, and eventually, how they came to have children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all the way down to you.” Mark Orwig – Smarter Hobby
Reasons why people get started with genealogy
- to learn more about their family culture and heritage
- to add a sense of history and tradition to their lives
- to make sense of all the “cousins” they have met and figure out how they fit together
- to find out whether that story Nana told about being descended from Henry VIII is really true
- to leave a family tree, a personal history, and your research, as a gift to those coming after you.
- and countless other reasons…
Where to Begin?
1. Write down what you know
- Start with yourself - You may have knowledge of FIVE generations – Grandparents, Parents, YOU, Children, Grandchildren
- Collect your information in a notebook or draw or print off a simple family tree as a draft:
- Printables: 6 generations pedigree chart.pdf - misbach.org.
- Print a blank sheet or fill it in first. Handy genealogy charts and forms from ancestry.com
- Add all the information you already know - include birth, marriage and death dates and use maiden names for your female relatives.
2. Talk to relatives, especially the oldest family members
- Find out what they know. For every new name that you can add to your tree, get as much information as you can from your relative. Add the information to your draft notebook or tree.
- Find out if a relative has already done some family research ask If they are happy to share.
- It is very important to make a note of the source for each piece of information you find. If there is a hard copy make a photocopy (or take a photo on your camera).
- Note full names; where deaths occurred; dates and places of burial; marriage dates and places; names of spouses including maiden names if applicable; children’s names and places of birth; occupations and places of work; military service - which service, regiment, ship or squadron; schools and colleges attended; if there are any newspaper clippings or photographs.
- Fine
- A good place to start is with the New Zealand Society of Genealogists. They have a very helpful website linking to video tutorials, PDFs and other useful websites.
Getting It Right is a series of learning resources with a New Zealand focus, including a video series
How to organise your research
Family Tree Software Packages
When you are ready to organise all the information you have collected it is a good idea to have a family tree software package that you can download and keep on your computer or tablet. A software package is more flexible than an online tree and you can always upload your tree to a website later. There are many options and some are free for a limited version with the ability to upgrade to a more comprehensive package.
- Legacy Family Tree - Standard - distributed as freeware for Windows, with no restrictions, only requiring registration on the company's website to download the software.
- Roots Magic Essentials - a free genealogy program for Windows and Mac that contains many core features from RootsMagic family tree software.
Online Tree Programs
If you want to start straight away with an online tree here are some options, some are free and some are free with paid upgrades: