Paper Published in La Généalogie Vol. 1, No. 1
January 29, 2026
A paper by Yuya Kinoshita, Director of our Institute, titled “A Preliminary Study on the Theoretical Framework for Genealogical Science (1): Teleology and Theory of Research Objects,” has been published in La Généalogie (Keizu-Keifu Ronkyu), Volume 1, Number 1.
Abstract
This paper reconstructs traditional genealogy, which has lacked theoretical systematization and been treated as a subfield of historical studies, and establishes Genealogical Science as an independent academic discipline with a comprehensive theoretical framework by developing its teleology and theory of research objects.
Since conventional genealogy has not clearly defined its disciplinary objectives and research objects, this study conducted a comprehensive collection and typological analysis of research objectives and objects in prior research. The results identified twelve types of research objectives, ranging from auxiliary roles for historical studies to elucidating the significance of genealogical records themselves.
Next, after examining twenty-seven definitions of genealogical records in prior research, this study defined the essential content of genealogical records as “data that records, in chronological order, people who are recognized as continuously connected by kinship relationships within a scope selected by the compiler or researcher,” and adopted the conceptual term “multi-generational kinship configuration information” to express this.
Furthermore, the study stratified disciplinary objectives into four layers: ① elucidating true multi-generational kinship configuration information, ② clarifying the typology, trends, and transitions of phenomena related to genealogical records, ③ compiling genealogical collections, dictionaries, and constructing databases, and ④ establishing theories including methods for interdisciplinary research. Among these, ①②③ were positioned as objectives intrinsic to Genealogical Science, with ① identified as the core disciplinary objective.
Through this paper, it becomes clear that Genealogical Science possesses distinctive disciplinary objectives and research objects independent from historical studies.
Publication Details
- Title: A Preliminary Study on the Theoretical Framework for Genealogical Science (1): Teleology and Theory of Research Objects
- Author: Yuya Kinoshita
- Journal: La Généalogie (Keizu-Keifu Ronkyu), Vol. 1, No. 1
- Publisher: Family Research Council (Kakenkyou)
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.69352/keiron.1.1_1
Access
The full text is freely available at:
- J-STAGE: https://doi.org/10.69352/keiron.1.1_1
- Family Research Council: https://www.kakenkyou.org/keiron1-1/
Keywords
Genealogical Science, Teleology, Theory of Research Objects, Multi-generational Kinship Configuration Information, Theory of Disciplinary Structure, Metatheory, Conceptual Definition, Typological Analysis
