2010-10-12 The Core of Genealogy

central concepts

conceptual framework

The Classical Genealogy Framework (CGF) introduced in A Framework for Classical Genealogy recognises that each individual has several genealogies; a biological genealogy, an official genealogy and a legal genealogy.

centre of genealogy

The notion that each individual has several genealogies places the individual at the centre of genealogy.
This contrast with traditional genealogy software, which not only perpetuates the just-one-genealogy notion, but typically places the traditional nuclear family at the centre of genealogy. This is in part because GEDCOM, the widely used standard for traditional genealogy, places the traditional nuclear family at the centre of its design, even appears to be in deliberate denial of non-traditional family structures.

The definition of the traditional nuclear family is based on genealogy, but not the other way round; genealogy is not based on a definition of the traditional nuclear family.

Our understanding of what a family is, is partly based on genealogical relationships such as father, mother, brother and sister, aunt and uncle; these relationships are even known as family relationships.

The definition of the traditional nuclear family is based on genealogy, but not the other way round; genealogy is not based on a definition of the traditional nuclear family.

relationships

Genealogy is about relationships. Individuals and their relationships to one another are the core of genealogy. Birth records document relationships between individuals. Biological tests are about relationships between individuals. Legal decisions affects a number of individuals, not necessarily complete families.
The basic genealogical relationship, the relationship between a child and its parents, is a relationship between individuals; individuals that need not be part of the same family.

Genealogy is not restricted to particular types of family.

traditional nuclear family

Scientific genealogy does not promote any type of family as more important than any other. The notion, deplorably pervasive in traditional genealogy, that the traditional nuclear family is the core of genealogy is an exclusionary misconception that reflects a remarkably limited understanding of genealogy.

There is no basis for the idea that the traditional nuclear family is central to genealogy. There is no reason to exclude other types of families, nor to delegate them to some second-class status.
Genealogy is not restricted to particular types of family. Every individual has genealogies, regardless of the families that individual is part of. Placing any particular type of family at the core of genealogy does not make any sense.

Genealogy isn't some privilege of traditional nuclear families. Genealogy belongs to everyone.

scientific approach

Scientific genealogy does not try to foist any particular definition of family on genealogists, nor promote any type of family over another. A scientific genealogist does not want to force facts into a predetermined mold, but to record the facts as they are. That includes all relationship and all types of families, traditional and non-traditional, without any bias.

Genealogy isn't some privilege of traditional nuclear families. Genealogy belongs to everyone.
Genealogy is for all family types. The core of scientific genealogy is not formed by any particular family type, but by individuals and their relationships to each other, regardless of family type.