What is the study of family history and lineage called?
AnswerGenealogy
Genealogy traces family lines through records, stories and documents.
History · Facts & stats
Ancestry facts & stats
7 fact-checked facts about ancestry and family history, each with the reason behind it. 5 more are in today's round and join this page after it closes.
The basics
What is a chart showing family relationships across generations commonly called?
AnswerA family tree
A family tree maps ancestors and descendants, branching out with each generation.
Going deeper
What does "first cousin once removed" mean?
AnswerA first cousin one generation apart, like your cousin's child
'Removed' counts generations of difference, so your first cousin's child is your first cousin once removed.
Mitochondrial DNA is inherited from which parent?
AnswerThe mother
Mitochondria are passed down in the egg cell, so mitochondrial DNA traces the maternal line.
Roughly how much of your DNA do you inherit from each parent?
AnswerAbout half
You receive one set of chromosomes from each parent, so about half your DNA comes from each.
Expert level
In Iceland's naming tradition, the daughter of a man named Jón would usually have which last name?
AnswerJónsdóttir
Most Icelanders use patronymics: a daughter of Jón is Jónsdóttir and a son is Jónsson.
The Y chromosome is passed down in which way?
AnswerFrom father to son
Only males carry a Y chromosome, so it passes from father to son, tracing the paternal line.
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