Genealogy Terms Cheat Sheet

The Genealogy Terms Cheat Sheet is a quick printable reference for newer family history researchers who keep running into genealogy words that sound more complicated than they need to be.

This one-page guide explains common terms like ancestor, descendant, collateral relative, census record, source, citation, evidence, probate, maiden name, and more in plain English. It is designed to help you keep researching without stopping every five minutes to ask, “Wait… what does that mean again?”

Print it, keep it in your genealogy binder, or save it near your research notes for quick reference.