Mr. Aidan Feerick:

The definition of genealogy is complex and it will require a great deal of discussion. It could be described as the study of the descent of a person from a common ancestor and the enumeration of the ancestors and descendants of that person or family in the natural order of succession. That seems a mouthful but it is intended to give an idea of what we do when we are asked to investigate the person's pedigree, lineage or heritage. That can lead to 100 other questions.