Family history v genealogy

[molar]

Hi everyone
I am doing a Family History Certificate course. One of the first discussion topics was the difference between family history and genealogy. I must admit I had always thought of  them as different terms for much the same thing (still do in fact!). When the initial question was posed I did look up dictionary definitions and couldn't find any distinction. I feel I am in the minority among the other students and tutors. Much is being made on the course about the difference so I am wondering is it me? Would be interested in other people's views.
regards
Linda

[Bill749]

Hi Linda

I think we had quite a long discussion about this on another thread some time ago - I'm sure someone will find it!

The way I, and many others, look at it is, that genealogy is concerned with tracing your family tree - tracking down your lineage (births, marriages and deaths) with no regard for "sidelines" or extra information - whereas family history is a much wider thing, involving "putting the meat on the bones" by finding out where your ancestors lived, what they did for a living, what they died of, who their siblings were, etc.

Most of us seem to start off by seeing how far back we can go, but end up by trying to create more of a story about each member of the family.

Regards, Bill

[nanny jan]

Hi Linda,

To me genealogy is just tracing your family tree and family history is tracing your tree but also looking at all the brothers/sisters; where they married, the jobs they did etc.

Hope you are enjoying the course.

Nanny Jan

[Tony Payne]

Genealogy is interesting, but the most fascinating and addictive part is including all the tidbits along the way, the family stories and other things that help bring the family to life.  Otherwise it's just a dry historical study isn't it.

[molar]

Hi
I must agree that the interesting bit is the putting the flesh on the bones etc. . However comments on the course seem to imply genealogy and people's family history is boring to anyone outside the family and not very useful  in academic historical research. Perhaps I'm just nosy but I love reading the snippets of people's ancestors on this site. Perhaps you have gathered I am not enjoying the course and probably won't bother to submit the second assignment. I did the OU Start Writing Family History course and did enjoy that but think I made a mistake with this one.
regards
Linda

[Tony Payne]

I think you are probably right Molar - you must be nosy   
But then that makes me nost too 
I just love the fascinating snippets that everyone posts.
Maybe that's why I am addicted to RC

[Bill749]

I love to find out about people's families, especially if I can dig up a bit of scandal!  That's what makes it so interesting digging up information for other people - you get to see the juicy bits before they do! 

Bill

[wheeldon]

I didn't even realise there was a difference.  I thought genealogy was a fancy name for family history 

Ok I'll stick myself in the Family Historian category - I sound rather grand now

[yn9man]

To me genealogy is tracing your own lineage or family tree or building a "skeleton" of birth, marriage and death information.

Family History is much more and builds on the basic information you found. In a nutshell, I think family history fills out the "skeleton". Family History will encompass all aspects of the family life such as, where your family lived, why they lived where they did, brothers, sisters, and other relatives, what they did for a living (occupations they had), and the economic conditions they lived through,   Putting together the story of your family may be another way to describe what Family History actually is about.

yn9man