Genealogy is a special historical discipline that studies the origin of genera and individuals, family ties, and the history of families of different social origins. The information provided by genealogy helps to study political history, property relations, social and legal relations, the place and role of certain genera and individuals in the events of individual epochs and countries. Genealogical data contribute to the study of demographic processes and socio-psychological aspects of human relationships.

The sources used by genealogy are extremely diverse. These are almost all monuments related to human activity. Traditionally, they are divided into written, material and oral. But according to the content of genealogical material, two groups of sources can be distinguished: genealogical, ie genealogical paintings and books, genealogical trees and tables, and genealogical sources, which include all other sources that focus on information about a person, his life and environment.

The origins of genealogy date back to ancient times. Ethnogenetic traditions are characteristic of primitive man. The formation of a class society contributed to the development of practical (utilitarian) genealogy, designed to justify the rights of certain strata of society to power and privileges. Biblical legends, ancient Greek and Roman myths, works of ancient authors, legends of the Ancient East - are full of genealogical information. Practical genealogy flourished in the Middle Ages when social and political relations were closely connected with the origin, inheritance rights and nobility of the family. During this period, forms of recording genealogical material were developed, genealogical books were created, and state institutions were established to legally approve the genealogies of the nobility.