What is Genealogy?

Genealogy is the study of family lineage. Genealogy developed when a connection to royalty was important. It was used to determine one's place in government and society. Today most genealogical research is done to satisfy a curiosity over one's own heritage. Genealogical research is a slow moving process. Original documents must be located to verify names, dates and events. Records of birth, death, marriage, and military service are primary sources for this. Primary sources in the Altoona Area Public Library include U.S. census data and local newspaper archives. We have historical city directories and local high school yearbooks. Other tools are bibliographies, indexes, general directories, guidebooks, and journals related to genealogy.