Fred Edwards Genealogy Makes History. Amy Utter's Journeys: TB and Other Tragedies Rural America's Heartland


Genealogy Makes History - Library: Genealogy

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Genealogy
The Ahnentafel System, or Sosa-Stradonitz System, of genealogical ancestral numbering

by Fred Edwards

This system is used to list the ancestors of Amy Utter in the book, Amy Utter's Journeys - TB and Other Tragedies in Rural America's Heartland. To use it, assign yourself (or any person who represents the starting point) number 1. If you are number 1, then your father is number 2, your mother number 3, your paternal grandfather number 4, and so on. Thus a person's father's number is always twice that person's number and the person's mother's number is twice-plus-one. This method is called the Sosa-Stradonitz System because of the Spanish genealogist Jerome de Sosa who used it in 1676, and for Stephan Kekule von Stradonitz, who popularized it in his 1896 "Ahnentafel Atlas." From his book came the name, "Ahnentafel Numbering System." (ahnentafel means "ancestor table.")

Summary:

Double any individual's number to get the father's number. Double a person's number and add one to get the mother's number. Thus, if you are number 1, your father would be number 2 (1 x 2 = 2), and your mother, number 3 (1 x 2 + 1 = 3). Other than the starting person, males always have even numbers and females the odd numbers. The resulting chart would be as follows:

1. person
2. father (1 x 2)
3. mother (1 x 2 + 1)
4. paternal grandfather (2 x 2)
5. paternal grandmother (2 x 2+1)
6. maternal grandfather (4 x 2)
7. maternal grandmother (4 x 2 + 1)
8. paternal grandfather's father - great grandfather (4 x 2)
9. paternal grandfather's mother - great grandmother (4 x 2 + 1)
10. paternal grandmother's father - great grandfather (5 x 2)
11. paternal grandmother's mother - great grandmother (5 x 2 + 1)
12. maternal grandfather's father - great grandfather (6 x 2)
13. maternal grandfather's mother - great grandmother (6 x 2 + 1)
14. maternal grandmother's father - great grandfather (7 x 2)
15. maternal grandmother's mother - great grandmother (7 x 2 + 1)

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The content of "Genealogy Makes History" may be copied or retransmitted for information purposes, but may not be used for any commercial purpose without my written permission. I retain all copyright and proprietary rights. Please include this notice and credit the source as "Genealogy Makes History by Fred Edwards."
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