Terminology: Ancestor vs. Descendant
karex
Not that I want to split hairs or anything, but over the decades I have lost count of the number of queries, posts, etc. that I have read in which the above terms are misused. The correct usage of a term can often lead to better results with regards to searches and replies. So in order to help people and try to sort this common mix-up:
- Ancestor: he or she who comes BEFORE in a given family timeline
- Descendant: he or she who comes AFTER in a given family timeline
Ergo, if you are wanting to find information about your great-grandfather, HE is the ancestor, and YOU are the descendant because he comes before and you come after.
If you are referring to one of your children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc, then YOU are the ancestor and THEY are the descendants. The same applies to those who come after your siblings, cousins, or even common ancestors - because they come AFTER the person in question.
by karex
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Contact | Subscribe | Block this user on 2016-02-05 16:11:41
Currently working on three personal one-name study projects: Clan Neacail Heritage (MacNicol/Nicolson/Nicholson), Clan Gillean (MacLean/Maclaine), and Genealogy of ancient Fontaine families in the north of France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
Descendants of any of these groups with any of the countless family name spelling variations are welcome to contact me for inclusion and/or collaboration in these projects.
Comments
Scott_J on 2016-02-08 10:52:09Seems like a great question to get answered here, smith41. So I posted it...
What's a second or third cousin...
karex on 2016-02-08 11:42:45You're most welcome smith41! I believe that the terms are confusing to a lot of people, and even when deep down they know, sometimes they get them mixed up anyway by accident. I myself have to stop and think twice when I use the terms to make sure that I didn't mix them up without noticing.
I have the same problem with this cousin mess and the x-times removed business. I suspect that this is a terminology restricted to the U.S. since I have not encountered it elsewhere, but I might be mistaken. I remember finding a chart sometime ago which should help one to figure it out.
Scott J, I am not very familiar with this site so I wonder if there's a way to publish an image anywhere? If so, I will gladly search for this chart. I know that I saved it somewhere.
Scott_J on 2016-02-08 11:44:51@karex, you can upload an image along with a journal post, but not with a comment. I'd like to add that at some point. If you point me to it somewhere in a comment on that question, I'd be happy to add it manually.
karex on 2016-02-08 11:59:36@Scott J Better yet, I will try to find the site where I originally discovered the chart because if memory serves me right, it contains extensive explanations. It might be Wikipedia, come to think of it.