1. FIELD METHODS
THE GENEALOGICAL METHOD
By: Suraj Gupta

2. ETYMOLOGY
“genealogy” = the study of families and the tracing of their histories
“method” = a systematic approach to accomplish something
Therefore, “genealogical method” = the systematic approach to study and interpret kinships

3. WHAT IS THE “GENEAOLGICAL METHOD”?
An ethnographic technique
The genealogical method deals with the principles of the social building blocks (i.e. kinship, descent and marriage) of nonindustrial cultures K D M

4. FUN FACT
In some nonindustrial cultures, genealogical information can be preserved in art
Example: carvings on a tomb built by the Tanosy people of Ampanihy, Madagascar, depict their ancestors

5. WHY DO ETHNOGRAPHERS NEED THIS METHOD?
In contemporary North America, most of our relationships, outside of our homes, are with non-relatives
However, those living in nonindustrial cultures virtually spend all their lifetimes with relatives
Therefore, anthropologists must record genealogical data to reconstruct history and understand current relationships of these cultures

6. KIN-BASED SOCIETIES A society without a central government
When a society DOES NOT have a central government, these relationships are basic to social life and political organization
Everyone is related to one another and therefore rules of behaviour attached to particular kin relationships are basic to everyday life

7. HOW DO ETHNOGRAPHERS COLLECT GENEALOGICAL DATA?
PEDIGREES!
Example obtained in Guadalcanar (in the Eastern Solomon Islands)

8. EXAMPLE: APPLICATION OF THE GENEALOGICAL METHOD
Where: New Guineau Highlands (a kin-based society)
What: Kuru (the disease)
At first, the disease was thought to be hereditary
After collecting data, anthropologists were able to discover that the spread of the disease was associated with the spread of cannibalism

9. THANKS FOR LISTENING!