5. What’s the Difference Between Genealogy and Family History?

When people hear the word “genealogy,” they often picture dusty family trees, black-and-white documents, or hours spent scrolling through census records. Others imagine rich storytelling—tales of immigration, family recipes, scandals, wars, or love stories passed down through generations.

The truth is, genealogy and family history are two sides of the same coin—but they’re not exactly the same thing.

In an earlier blog post, “What is Genealogy?”, I quoted a phrase I picked up while in graduate school at the University of Strathclyde:

In this post, we’ll further highlight what sets genealogy apart from family history, how they overlap, and why both are important to both your research.

Genealogy Is the Skeleton — Family History Is the Soul

Think of genealogy as the structure: names, dates, places, and relationships. It’s the process of identifying who your ancestors were and documenting how they connect to you through historical records like birth certificates, census entries, wills, church registers, etc.

On the other hand, family history adds context. It’s the stories, photos, traditions, values, and emotions that make those names come alive.

Here’s a simple comparison:

Both are valuable, but when used together, they create a more holistic and human view of your ancestors.

Genealogy Is Evidence-Based — Family History Is Experience-Based

As a genealogist, my job is to build evidence-based connections between people: Who were your great-grandparents? When and where were they born? What documents support this?

Genealogy leans on proof. It follows standards of practice that prioritize:

• Accurate citations

• Source evaluation

• Reasonably exhaustive research

• Resolution of conflicting information

  
  

Family history, in contrast, may draw on:

• Oral traditions

• Personal letters or heirlooms

• Photos, recipes, or keepsakes

• Cultural practices and community stories

  
  

These elements might not always be verifiable through public records—but they reflect how people lived, loved, and remembered. They help us understand the “why” behind our ancestors’ choices and identities. There can be elements of both genealogy and family history on both sides of the research, but there is a distinction to be made.

Why the Distinction Matters

Understanding the difference between genealogy and family history can help you:

• Be clearer in your goals: Are you trying to prove a relationship or preserve a family story?

• Use the right tools: Genealogical research might require record databases, while family history might call for interviews, scrapbooks, or journals.

• Balance facts with feelings: It’s okay for a story to be meaningful even if it’s not fully documented, but you should be honest about what’s proven and what’s passed down. Family lore is just lore until you can provide documented evidence.

  
  

Bringing It Together: A Case Study

Consider the following newspaper clipping of a marriage announcement:

Genealogy tells us that Nancy Sue Moser was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Morris E. Moser and that she married Lewis Walter Kelly on 1 December 1962. A genealogist may also note the location for the sake of establishing the couple’s timeline and uncovering additional record sets of interest to the research objective. One might even take note of the other names mentioned in the marriage announcement to establish the couple’s F.A.N. Club (family, neighbors, associates).

Family history, however, won’t just stop at the facts. A family history narrative will mention the beauty of the bride’s “formal length gown of ivory peau de soie with re-embroidered lace” and the “white Bible with an orchid and stephanotis in cascade effect” she carried. It may even attempt to incorporate the oral histories of wedding guests or the couple’s own remembrances from the day.

Now, imagine weaving both together. The methodical research and logical proofs of a genealogical report reassures us that the past existed, while the narratives of a family history help us to relive it alongside our ancestors.

You Don’t Have to Choose Between the Two

In truth, most of us do both genealogy and family history, whether we realize it or not. We gather facts, then fill in the gaps with memories, family lore, or even educated guesses.

You don’t have to be a professional writer or a seasoned researcher to start. You just need a desire to understand where you come from and the curiosity to ask both “What happened?” and “What was it like?”

What kind of stories live in your family tree? Drop a memory in the comments below, or reach out if you’d like help expanding your own genealogy or family history narrative!

And don’t miss the next post in our Intro to Genealogy series: 6. How Does DNA Fit Into Genealogy?