Genealogical Method of Data Collection
In anthropological research, the genealogical method proved so useful that it has become an
integral part of social science research. Its main utility lies in kinship studies which is a very important
field in any social-cultural anthropological research. As the name suggest it refers to the systematic
narration or description of family tree showing all the ramifications of kinship linkages, kinship terms,
various kinship usages, succession etc.
In other words, a genealogy may be simply a transliteration of a pedigree in kinship terms,
using universally recognized rather than local symbols; or it may be a record of the genealogical
knowledge and assertions of a single informant, or it may be a construct made by the ethnographer
from information supplied by several informants who may disagrees with one another in a number of
particulars.
W.H.R. Rivers developed this technique in an expedition to Torres Straits (1898-99). He
described it most fully in Notes and Queries on Anthropology (1912), after which it became standard
procedure in social anthropology. It may include a record of all the known connections of a set of
individuals or it may be limited to certain connections regarded as important in a given context. It may
mention only the name and sex of individuals or it may give dates of birth, marriage, divorce and
death, residence and changes in residence, type of marriage contract, occupation, or other personal
characteristics.
The conventional way of deriving information through the genealogical method is through the
ego, a person chosen by the researcher as the main source of information through which the kinship
relations are traced and family tree built. Precisely, ego is the designated point of reference on a
kinship chart. This ego gives all the relevant information. The most significant aspect of genealogical
method is that most of the information is elicited through a few individuals (ego). The ego should
preferably be a senior or elderly member of the group who will be in position to provide cultural data
spread over a substantial period of time.
For collecting information or data through this method, following points must be noted.
Use of conventional notations:
a. Male : ∆
b. Female : O
c. Sex not specified :
d. Marriage : =
e. Coupling bar :
f. Illegitimate relation
g. Sibling bar :
h. Decent : │
i. Illegitimate child : ¦
j. Divorce : ≠
k. Member died : Ø or
l. Died at infant stage :
or
m. Twins :
n. adopted or
o. loop
The abbreviations used in description are:
Abbreviations
F : Father
M : Mother
B : Brother
Z : Sister
S : Son
D : Daughter
H : Husband
W : Wife
1. In genealogies it is useful to make one individual (called ego) as a point of reference for defining
kinship relation.
2. In describing relationships, one should always define the relationship exactly. Thus, we should not
use the term like “brother-in-law” but wife’s brother (WB) or sister’s husband (ZH).
3. To minimize the detail information (particulars of a person) such as rank, place of residence,
membership of a clan, age, etc. may be entered below the name of each individual, as required.
4. Order of birth of children and order of marriage of spouse may be indicated by the order in which
they appear in a genealogy, preferably from left to right.
5. Some other symbols such as an asterisk, a putting them in brackets etc. may be devised by the
researcher.
6. Researchers frequently encounter in problem of space while preparing genealogy of a large group,
such as lineage or kindred. In such case separate sheets of papers may be used and compiled later on.
Conclusion
Genealogical method was introduced by anthropologist. Genealogical method is an important and
standard technique of data collection used by Anthropologists. The genealogical method is a well-
established procedure in studying ethnography. It was initiated by ethnographers to identify all-
important links of kinship whether it is descent or marital ties.
