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Quizzes > History

Family History Quiz: Test Your Genealogy Know-How

Quick, fun genealogy quiz to check your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Anket Manoj WaswaniUpdated Aug 26, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art depicting elements related to Family Genealogy Trivia Quiz

This family history quiz helps you check what you know about ancestors, records, and family trees in 15 bite-size questions. After you finish, explore our cultural heritage quiz for a broader view, try some family trivia questions for practice, or test lineage facts with the British Royal Family quiz.

What is the term for a diagram that shows a person's direct ancestors?
Pedigree chart
Family tree
Kinship map
Census record
A pedigree chart specifically outlines a person's direct ancestors in a standard genealogical format. While a family tree is a general term, the formal diagram is called a pedigree chart.
What do we call a direct forebear from whom someone is descended?
Progeny
Sibling
Ancestor
Descendant
An ancestor is a person from whom you are directly descended in your family lineage. Descendant and progeny refer to those who come after you, not before.
Which type of record typically lists births, marriages, and deaths?
Vital record
Probate record
Census enumeration
Land deed
Vital records are official documents that record key life events such as births, marriages, and deaths. Census records enumerate populations but do not systematically record vital events.
Which of the following is a primary source in genealogy?
Encyclopedia entry
Family Bible transcription
Published genealogy book
Birth certificate
A birth certificate is an original document created at the time of the event and is considered a primary source. Transcriptions or published books are secondary or derivative sources.
What term describes a person who is descended from someone?
Descendant
Kin
Progenitor
Ancestor
A descendant is an individual who comes after someone in a lineage, meaning they are descended from that person. An ancestor is someone from whom one is descended.
Which of the following is considered a secondary source in genealogy research?
Official census record
Published family history book
Original marriage certificate
Diary entry from an ancestor
A published family history book compiles information after the fact and is therefore a secondary source. Original records like diaries and certificates are primary sources.
Which research method involves interviewing living relatives to gather family stories?
DNA triangulation
Paleography
Oral history
Land record analysis
Oral history is the practice of conducting interviews with living individuals to record family memories and stories. The other methods focus on documents or genetic data.
What term describes a system that traces descent through both the maternal and paternal lines?
Unilineal
Bilateral
Matrilineal
Patrilineal
A bilateral descent system traces ancestry through both the mother's and father's sides of the family. Matrilineal or patrilineal refers to only one line.
In genealogy, what is a collateral line?
Any adopted family members
Direct ancestors and descendants
Only maternal ancestors
Siblings and their descendants branching from a common ancestor
A collateral line consists of relatives who descend from a sibling of an ancestor, such as aunts, uncles, and cousins. Direct lines refer to ancestors and descendants only.
Which DNA test is primarily used to trace the direct paternal line?
Y-chromosome DNA test
Autosomal DNA test
Mitochondrial DNA test
X-chromosome test
The Y-chromosome DNA test follows the Y chromosome passed from father to son and is therefore used to trace the direct paternal line. Mitochondrial DNA traces the maternal line.
When assessing the reliability of a headstone inscription versus a civil birth register, which source is generally more authoritative?
Headstone inscription
Family memory
Civil birth register
Published family tree online
A civil birth register is an official, contemporaneous record and is typically more reliable than a headstone inscription, which may be added years later or subject to error.
If a census record is missing, which alternative source is commonly used to estimate an ancestor's birth date?
Church baptismal register
Local newspaper advertisement
Immigration manifest
Probate inventory
Church baptismal registers often record baptism dates close to birth dates, making them useful when census records are missing. Probate inventories and manifests do not generally list ages or births.
Where would you most likely find original land deed records for genealogical research?
Family history blog
County clerk's office
Local courthouse museum
National library
Original land deed records are typically held at the county clerk's office where transactions were recorded. Museums and blogs may hold copies or summaries, not originals.
What does cluster research in genealogy involve?
Ignoring collateral lines
Researching neighbors, friends, and associates for clues
Focusing exclusively on vital records
Studying only immediate family
Cluster research looks beyond the direct family to neighbors, friends, and associates who may provide clues or shared records. It expands context rather than focusing narrowly.
Which detail is more likely found in a 20th-century census but not in a 19th-century one?
Name of spouse
Occupation
Birthplace of an individual's parents
Place of residence
Later censuses often included questions about the birthplace of each individual's parents, a detail not consistently captured in earlier enumerations.
What is DNA triangulation in genealogy?
Testing only the X chromosome for maternal lineage
Matching shared DNA segments across three or more individuals to confirm a common ancestor
Sequencing an ancestor's entire genome
Comparing Y-DNA and mitochondrial DNA from a single individual
DNA triangulation involves identifying the same shared DNA segments in three or more people, which helps pinpoint a specific common ancestor. It is a core advanced method in genetic genealogy.
Which DNA test is best suited for tracing a direct maternal line?
Mitochondrial DNA test
Y-chromosome DNA test
X-chromosome short tandem repeat test
Autosomal DNA test
Mitochondrial DNA is inherited down the maternal line and remains relatively unchanged, making it the preferred test for tracing direct maternal ancestry.
When working with 17th-century handwritten parish registers, which skill is most critical?
Lexicography, the study of words
Paleography, the study of old handwriting
Heraldry, the study of coats of arms
Cartography, the study of maps
Paleography is essential for interpreting and transcribing old handwriting styles found in early parish registers. It enables accurate reading of names and dates.
How can examining a family's historical cluster of neighbors help in solving genealogical questions?
It reveals extended kinship and social networks that may provide clues
It replaces the need for DNA testing
It confirms exact birth dates without records
It identifies unrelated individuals only
Studying a cluster of neighbors and associates can uncover patterns of community ties, potential kinship links, and shared records that aid in identifying relatives.
If no birth record exists, what is a recommended method for estimating an ancestor's year of birth?
Analyze ages listed in marriage records, census data, and death documents
Assume they were born 30 years before their first child
Use average lifespan of the era only
Rely solely on a family legend date
Estimating an ancestor's birth year is best done by correlating ages from multiple sources like census records, marriage registers, and death certificates, reducing reliance on any single datum.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Identify key genealogical terms and concepts
  2. Analyse family lineage patterns across generations
  3. Evaluate source reliability in genealogy research
  4. Apply strategies to uncover ancestral records
  5. Demonstrate understanding of heritage and family history
  6. Compare methods for tracing family roots

Cheat Sheet

  1. Get cozy with key genealogical terms - Dive into the ABCs of family history by mastering words like pedigree, lineage, and ancestry. These building blocks will turn you into a confident tree-climber in no time! Genealogy | Tracing Ancestry, Family History & Lineage | Britannica
  2. Decode family lineage patterns - Put on your detective hat and spot how surnames and traits hop from one generation to the next. Recognizing these breadcrumbs can unlock surprising connections in your own past. Genealogy | Tracing Ancestry, Family History & Lineage | Britannica
  3. Evaluate source reliability - Learn to tell original records apart from their copies, because mistakes can sneak in during transcription. Prioritizing primary sources keeps your family story rock-solid. Assessing Genealogical Sources - Part 1
  4. Master exhaustive research strategies - Become a thorough explorer by checking every nook and cranny of archives, indexes, and databases. This all-in approach helps you build a complete and accurate family profile. Building a Genealogical Proof Standard
  5. Explore cultural & historical contexts - Travel back in time to understand migration waves, local customs, and major events that shaped your ancestors' lives. This 360° perspective adds rich color to your family saga. Genealogy | Tracing Ancestry, Family History & Lineage | Britannica
  6. Compare traditional vs. genetic genealogy - Weigh the pros of dusty old documents against the power of DNA. Combining both approaches gives you a double dose of insight into who came before you. Genetic genealogy | Wikipedia
  7. Understand DNA test types - Discover what autosomal, Y-DNA, and mtDNA tests reveal about your family tree. Each test shines a light on different ancestral branches, helping you confirm kinship like a pro. Genealogical DNA test | Wikipedia
  8. Hone your evidence analysis skills - Practice collecting, comparing, and correlating data from census records, wills, and passenger lists. Strong analytical chops will help you resolve conflicting details gracefully. Building a Genealogical Proof Standard
  9. Resolve conflicting evidence - When documents clash, put on your critical-thinking goggles. Seek out additional records and weigh their trustworthiness until your family puzzle fits perfectly. Building a Genealogical Proof Standard
  10. Write compelling conclusions - Summarize your findings with clarity and flair, guiding readers through your research journey step by step. A well-crafted conclusion transforms a list of facts into a captivating story. Building a Genealogical Proof Standard
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