The genealogical method is a well-established procedure in ethnography. The method owes its origin from the book of British ethnographer W. H. R. Rivers titled "Kinship and Social Organisation" in 1911, in order to identify all-important links of kinship determined by marriage and descent.

What is meant by genealogical method?

A method, based on the study of an individual's family history, of determining the effect of inheritance on any individual trait.

What is the genealogical method in anthropology?

Genealogical method refers to systematic narration or description of family tree showing all the ramifications of kinship linkages, kinship terms, various kinship usages and succession etc. Genealogical method is used to learn about many societies which preserver their local culture and traditions.