Scout Name: _________________________________________________
Unit #: _______________
Date: _______________
GENEALOGY
Merit Badge Requirements
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Explain to your counselor what the words genealogy, ancestor, and descendant mean.
Do ONE of the following:
a. Create a time line for yourself or for a relative. Then write a short biography based on that time line.
b. Keep a journal for six weeks. You must write in it at least once a week.
With your parent’s help, choose a relative or a family acquaintance you can interview in person, by telephone, or by e-mail or
letter. Record the information you collect so you do not forget it.
Do the following
a. Name three types of genealogical resources and explain how these resources can help you chart your family tree.
b. Obtain at least one genealogical document that supports an event that is or can be recorded on your pedigree chart or
family group record. The document could be found at home or at a government office, religious organization,
archive or library.
c. Tell how you would evaluate the genealogical information you found for requirement 4b.
Contact ONE of the following individuals or institutions. Ask what genealogical services, records, or activities this
individual or institution provides and report the results.
a. A genealogical or lineage society
b. A professional genealogist (someone who gets paid for doing genealogical research)
c. A surname organization, such as your family’s organization
d. A genealogical education facility or institution
e. A genealogical library, state or national archive, state library, etc.)
Begin your family tree by listing yourself and include at least two additional generations. You may complete this
requirement by using the chart provided in this pamphlet or the genealogy software program of your choice.
Complete a family group record form, listing yourself and your brothers and sisters as the children. On another family group
record form, show one of your parents and his or her brothers and sisters as the children. This requirement may be completed
using the chart provided or the genealogy software program of your choice.
Do the following:
a. Explain the effect computers and the Internet are having on the world of genealogy.
b. Explain how photography (including microfilming) has influenced genealogy.
Discuss what you have learned about your family and your family members through your genealogical research.
Requirements Last Revised: 2005
10
Genealogy - Page 1 of
Scout Name: _________________________________________________
Unit #: _______________
Date: _______________
Worksheet Created by: Scott Morse smorse@team-morse.com
Requirements Last Revised: 2005
10
Genealogy - Page 2 of
Scout Name: _________________________________________________
Unit #: _______________
Date: _______________
Requirement 1
Explain the meaning of genealogy: _______________________________________________________________________________
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Explain the meaning of ancestor: _____________________________________________________________________
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Explain the meaning of descendant: _____________________________________________________________________
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Requirement 2
You have been given two options for this requirement. Select and complete one of them.
If you selected Option A:
Use the area below to draw a timeline for yourself or for a close relative:
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In the space below (use extra paper if needed), write a short history of yourself or of a close relative: ___________________________
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Requirements Last Revised: 2005
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Genealogy - Page 3 of
Scout Name: _________________________________________________
Unit #: _______________
Date: _______________
If you selected Option B:
Keep a journal for 6 weeks, writing in it at least once weekly.
Begin Date: _______________
End Date: _______________
___ Show your journal to your counselor
Requirement 3
With your parent’s help, choose a relative or a family acquaintance you can interview in person, by telephone, or by e-mail or letter.
Record the information you collect so you do not forget it.
What new information did you find out? ___________________________________________________________________________
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Requirements Last Revised: 2005
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Genealogy - Page 4 of
Scout Name: _________________________________________________
Unit #: _______________
Date: _______________
Can any of the newly gathered information be added to your pedigree chart or family group records? __________________________
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Requirements Last Revised: 2005
10
Genealogy - Page 5 of
Scout Name: _________________________________________________
Unit #: _______________
Date: _______________
Requirement 4
A:
Name three types of genealogical resources and explain how these resources can help you chart your family tree.
Type 1:__________________________________
How this resource help you chart your family tree?___________________________________________________________________
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Type 2:__________________________________
How this resource help you chart your family tree?___________________________________________________________________
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Type 3:__________________________________
How this resource help you chart your family tree?___________________________________________________________________
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B:
Obtain at least one genealogical document that supports an event that is or can be recorded on your pedigree chart or family group
record. The document could be found at home or at a government office, religious organization, archive or library. Attach a copy of
this record do not attach any originals.
C:
Tell how you would evaluate the genealogical information you found for requirement 4b.
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Requirements Last Revised: 2005
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Genealogy - Page 6 of
Scout Name: _________________________________________________
Unit #: _______________
Date: _______________
Requirement 5
You have been given a list of contacts for this requirement. Select one person or place that you wish to use for this requirement.
Speak with the person or place that you selected and ask them a question relating to their genealogical services or activities.
Who did you contact? _________________________________________________________________________________________
What question did you ask? _____________________________________________________________________________________
What was their answer? ________________________________________________________________________________________
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Did you ask other questions? YES
NO
If YES, give a short description of the questions you asked and the answers you were given. Tell what you have learned from the
experience: __________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Requirement 6
Begin your family tree by listing yourself and include at least two additional generations. You may complete this requirement by
using the chart provided in this pamphlet or the genealogy software program of your choice.
(See attached pedigree chart)
Requirement 7
Show yourself as a child on a family group record form, and show one of your parents as a child on another family group record form.
Turn to the back of this worksheet and you will find two family group record forms. You can use these, if you like, to complete this
requirement.
(See attached family group record form)
Requirements Last Revised: 2005
10
Genealogy - Page 7 of
Scout Name: _________________________________________________
Unit #: _______________
Date: _______________
Requirement 8
A:
Tell how the development of computers is affecting the world of genealogy: ______________________________________________
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B:
Tell how the development of photography (including microfilming) has influenced genealogy: _______________________________
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Requirement 9
Discuss what you have learned about your family and your family members through your genealogical research:
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Requirements Last Revised: 2005
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Scout Name: _________________________________________________ Unit #: _______________ Date: _______________
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Requirements Last Revised: 2005
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Genealogy - Page 9 of
Scout Name: _________________________________________________
Requirements Last Revised: 2005
10
Unit #: _______________
Date: _______________
Genealogy - Page 10 of
Scout Name: _________________________________________________
Requirements Last Revised: 2005
11
Unit #: _______________
Date: _______________
Genealogy - Page 11 of
Scout Name: _________________________________________________
Requirements Last Revised: 2005
12
Unit #: _______________
Date: _______________
Genealogy - Page 12 of