Search Results for: genealogy genealogy and religion

Religion in Genealogy Part 3: Huguenots and Doukhobors

Through history, many religious groups have dealt with persecution, sometimes being forced to flee their countries. Two of these groups where the Huguenots and Doukhobors. Huguenots Prior to starting my genealogy research, I never heard the word Huguenot, much less knew what it meant. However, while researching my great-grandmother’s family, I discovered that some of my ancestors fled from France during the mid-17th century to escape religious persecution (discrimination/mistreatment). They were Huguenots-members of the Protestant Reformed Church, inspired by the writings of John Calvin, a 16th-century pastor. Calvin’s writings reject religions, such as Roman Catholicism, and believe that God has … Continue reading →

Religion in Genealogy Part 1: Quakers and Shakers

The role religion plays in genealogy is quite pronounced. In this blog I will be detailing two major groups: Quakers and Shakers. Quakers Quakers (also called Friends) are members of a Christiandenomination, called the Religious Society of Friends that was formed in England during the mid-17th century by George Fox. Fox believed that it was possible to have a close connection with Christ without formal preaching by clergy. Quaker beliefs are different between individuals based on each follower’s personal relationship with God. Traditionally, Quakers attend congregational gatherings, referred to as Monthly Meetings, where they sit in silence, waiting for the … Continue reading →

Resources for Irish Genealogy

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It is getting very close to St. Patrick’s Day. Do you have Irish heritage? Now is a good time to do some genealogy research, and find out the answer to that question. There are plenty of online resources that can help you to do it. Last year at around this time, Ancestry.com released “The Irish Collection”. It has been called the “definitive” Irish collection. It contains records related to Ireland from the nineteenth century. “The Irish Collection” includes a bunch of different groupings of records. The “Griffiths Valuation 1848 – 1864” has 2.5 million records related to land an property … Continue reading →

When Genealogy Collides With Religion

People who are of the LDS faith have specific religious reasons why they do genealogy. One reason is so a posthumous baptism can be preformed on an ancestor who was not baptized when he or she was alive. Recently, someone did a proxy baptism for the parents of Simon Wiesenthal. He was Jewish, and a Holocaust survivor. This has led to controversy. Genealogy is the study of family. Everyone who wants to learn more about their ancestors, or to fill in missing pieces of their family tree, is welcome to partake in this hobby. One doesn’t necessarily need to be … Continue reading →

Genealogy Leads Gwyneth Paltrow Back to Her Roots

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Genealogy is the study of family. It is a great way for you to learn more about your heritage. Sometimes, these kinds of discoveries can influence people to make changes about how they want to raise their children. Gwyneth Paltrow has announced that she is planning on raising her children in the religion that reflects her family’s heritage. The popular genealogy television program called “Who Do You Think You Are?” has recently completed its Second Season. You can watch several of the episodes from that season on the NBC website right now, (as well as many clips from the first … Continue reading →

Why Do You Do Genealogy?

Genealogy might be a hobby that you are passionate about, and your favorite way to pass the time. Have you ever taken a moment to think about what, exactly, compelled you to start doing genealogy? What fuels your desire to continue? The answers to these questions may be very personal, and will be different for each genealogist. You might do genealogy because you are searching for an answer. If you were adopted, you might be searching for your birth parents, and wondering if you have any half-siblings. If you gave a child up for adoption, you might be doing some … Continue reading →

Genealogy and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

When I was looking a various genealogy resources online a few weeks ago, I came across a web site that is maintained by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I later found out that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints maintains the largest genealogical research library in the world. Today, I decided to look into why genealogical research is so important to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I have cousins that belong to the Church, and I am interested in learning about how our family history is important to … Continue reading →

Glossary of Genealogy Abbreviations

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I sometimes look back at my previous posts for inspiration for new posts, or sometimes to see which topics may need a bit more elaboration. Today I want to create an extension from my genealogy glossary post from a few weeks ago. However, rather than providing you, my readers, with more genealogy terms, I want to help you understand the many genealogy abbreviations that are often used. General Genealogy Abbreviations abt. – about (sometimes also abbreviated as a. or ab.) ad. – adopted (sometimes adCL for adopted child, adD for adopted daughter, or adS for adopted son are also used) … Continue reading →

Religion in Genealogy Part 5: Buddhists

Buddhists are followers of a variety of practices and beliefs known as Buddhism. Whether Buddhism is a religion or philosophy is controversial. Some sources say that to be a religion, there must be a belief and worship of a supernatural entity, which Buddhists do not have. Other sources describe religion as an organization that practices beliefs based on a higher power or ultimate truth. Buddhism is based on the latter. Buddhism can be traced back to circa 563 to 460 BCE (or BC) in what is now called Nepal. Siddhartha Gautama, who is more commonly referred to as the Buddha, … Continue reading →

Religion in Genealogy Part 4: Jews

I have to say that I am rather enjoying writing the posts in this series. Not only have I been able to share with you information that I already knew, but I have also set out to research things that I don’t know. Religion plays a huge role in researching our ancestors, and I am happy to be learning more about the various religions while sharing it with you. So far this series has covered the Quakers & Shakers, Anabaptists, and Huguenots & Doukhobors. Today my focus is going to be on the Jews. Jews practice the religion of Judaism, … Continue reading →