 Genealogy
is an Art
By Steve Johnson, February 1, 2000
Recently, a discussion arose as to whether Genealogy is a form of
Science or a form of Art. Are genealogists "scientists" or "artists"?
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines "art" as
- the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in
the production of aesthetic objects.
It also defines "science" as
- a knowledge or a system of knowledge covering general truths or the
operation of general laws, especially as obtained and tested through
scientific method.
I tried to convey this point to someone recently as we argued over whether
Genealogy is an art or science. I believe it is an art. Yet, as my command
of the English language is less than desirable, I could not adequately
express what I was thinking. After having a chance to look up the definition
of the terms in the dictionary, I wanted to make another attempt at explaining
myself.
My friend maintained that Genealogy is an "exact science" because
everyone has exactly one mother and one father. That is, one's
origins is a natural fact; each one of us came from two specfic people.
I could not argue with that. But what my friend described is not Genealogy,
but rather, Genetics.
Genealogy, on the other hand, is the act of establishing one's lineage.
Genealogists are interested in achieving a goal, producing an end result.
They use their knowledge of history, religion, culture, and heritage,
and rely on their investigative skills to produce proof. Proof is the
goal of genealogical effort. This fits the Merriam-Webster definition
of "art".
Science, on the other hand, is a study. Science does not attempt to
achieve a goal or produce an end result, but rather to study something
and understand its processes and properties. One might argue that to develop
a cure for cancer is science. No it's not. It's an art. The study of cancer
(oncology), is a science, but to find a cure is an art.
For example, Biology is a science focusing on the study of living organisms
and vital processes. Biologists study the properties of viruses, bacteria,
and it's effects on the on the human body. Physicians will use that knowledge
to diagnosis someone's illness, determine a treatment regimen, and prescribe
drugs. Physicians are a part of the "medical arts".
The application of knowledge and skill to achieve a goal is Art. It does
not matter if that that goal is to compose a song, save someone's life,
or to establish a fact.
Genealogists are concerned with achieving a goal: to establish proof
of one's lineage. Genealogists will use their knowledge of history, culture,
religion, and geography to reach that goal.
The study of history, culture, and religion is referred to as the Humanities.
Humanities is the study of human constructs, whereas Science is the study
of natural processes. If a genealogist studies a lineage with no other
goal but to satisfy his or her thirst for knowledge, it would be classified
as a humanity. But when a genealogist uses the knowledge gained from that
lineage to proove one's descendancy, it is an art.
Since most of genealogists are trying to achieve a goal, we are artists.
But we can also be scholars of the humanities. In fact, most of us often
are, as we study our own lineage, gaining knowledge.
But it's when we apply that knowledge towards the achievement of a goal,
that it becomes an art.
- Steve Johnson
Steve is the editor of The Cemetery Column, and is the webmaster
of Cemetery Records Online.
Reader Responses
- 02-01-2000, Nelson Gillis [ngp@cybertrails.com]
"It may be as you say but sure keeps me busy and out of
trouble :-> "
- 02-01-2000, Edward Shaw [cpo@usnavy.net]
"You write well. But, I have never seen any other argument
from anyone else who thought genealogy was a science. All of
my associates clearly realize genealogy as an art, and we are
many long-time practitioners. The few posts I've seen mentioning
genealogy as a science seemed all to be from persons who were
apparent beginners or had never done research. You have expended
a lot of your time, energies, and "art" to create a web site
to announce the obvious. Might you consider building a resource
set of pages, perhaps listing 1-click URLs and IRLs to sites
of vital interest to any genealogical researcher? Such is pitifully
unavailable."
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