Genealogy Second Most Popular Hobby in America

Tracing your ancestry -also known as genealogy- is almost as popular a hobby in the United States as gardening. And more Americans enjoy gardening than any other hobby!

Ancestry sites are the second most visited category of websites, fueling what is now a billion-dollar industry complete with television shows, books, magazines, how-to’s and over-the-counter genetic test kits, all in support our obsession with DNA ancestry testing.

Validation for Royalty & the Ruling Class

Before the civil rights movement, tracing one’s ancestry was a way for members of royalty and the ruling class to maintain their social status. In the wake of many southern Europeans arriving in America, white elitists concocted a meaning of Caucasian that excluded these newcomers and proved their own backgrounds for entrance into such hereditary societies as the Daughters of the American Revolution. As time marched on though, immigrant identities took hold, the women’s movement challenged gender roles, several world wars were fought, civil rights needed protection, and all of a sudden, Americans were suffering from an identity crisis.

Finding Yourself

A great many people are trying to find personal meaning through their ancestry. It’s the kind of quest for knowledge that relies on historical information and definitive data. Religion, digital technology and the Internet revolutionized the way people search for answers based on genealogy. Americans can now research their families in the comfort of their own homes – and the focus is on identity rather than pedigree.

Personalize Family Tree Custom Plaques at PlaqueMaker

Each family tree custom plaque is as beautiful and unique as your family. Personalize with family name, occasion and date. The tree is filled with family names and birth dates for each family member. Reserve spaces for future names, too. Makes a thoughtful holiday gift.