Genealogical research is a personal thing. Each individual and family unit is unique. We delight in the thrill of the chase, and each new record type we encounter energizes us in the discovery of the details it has to offer.

You may be surprised when you take a step back and consider the different types of knowledge and experience you have gained on your genealogical odyssey. You will have become a student of history in order to understand your ancestors in the context of events of their time. Their place in society, their occupations, their economic condition, and their religious beliefs provide insights into their daily experiences in the community. The architecture of their homes and cemetery markers can be strong indicators of their social and financial status. Maps, however, are the ultimate source of contextual information about your ancestors.