How this book is organized

How this book is organized Gordon's Ancestral Book
Page Four

How This Book Is Organized

Genealogists usually begin a family history using a pedigree chart and a system of ID numbers to identify and keep track of the numerous individuals, often with the same given and last name. A pedigree usually does not include brothers and sisters, uncles or aunts; however, I prefer at times to include some of them. In this family history*, the ahnentafel (A German word meaning Ancestor-Ordered) format is used to organize names. It starts with one individual and moves backward in time to that

individual's ancestors. It's not used as frequently as other formats for formal presentations of a pedigree because it records two family lines in the same report, but this is exactly what is needed here. There is a simple rule in the ahnentafel system using pedigree ID numbers: except for number one, all males have an even number, while all females have an odd number. A father's number can be determined by doubling his son's number. In this account of one branch of the Hatchers I have started with myself as Generation I and continued through successive generations, to the extent that I was able to find reliable information. This record deals with my ancestors who were born here or came to these shores; the search continues. time has not permitted more extensive searching.

* From Whence, We...

Where To Begin

Try the Index:

Or Start with Generation I using the Generation and Chapter Index and go back in time; each chapter is linked to the next and go directly to the name, date, place. For descendants, start in Generation XI and follow that family name down by generations as far as it goes. For a quick look at the direct line of my great-grandparents, all eight of them, use the"Begats". Or use the Index of Names.

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