What is a pedigree?

What is a pedigree?

Nick Barratt (Genealogist) gives expert video advice on: What is a pedigree?; Is heraldry important in a family history?; How do I begin my pedigree research? and more...

A pedigree is a fancy name for a family tree, and it comes out of the old heraldic visitations of the 16th century, when the king's heralds went around the country to work out what the aristocracy and the middle classes were up to, who they were related to, if they were claiming land and if they had the right to bear a coat of arms. Pedigrees were the result. They are very basic family trees that do tend to go further back in time.