Maltalingua School of English Blog

family history

This is the study of a family, their lineage, records, and other information. It can be represented in a ‘family tree’. Sometimes called ‘genealogy’.

Example: I traced my family history all the way back to the times of Napoleon.

side of the family

Family members related to one member of a couple.

Example: My mother’s side of the family live in Australia, but my father’s side of the family live in Japan.

ancestors

A person, normally more distant than a grandparent, to whom you are related.

Example: He could trace his ancestors back to James the First.

great-grandparents

The mother or father of your grandparents.

Example: My mother’s grandma is my great-grandparent.

relatives

A person connected by blood or marriage.

Example: A lot of my time is spent visiting relatives.

related to

Connected by blood or marriage.
To be in the same family.

Example: I just found out that I’m related to my best friend through distant cousins.

inherit

To receive qualities / genetics from other members of your family.

Example: Sam has inherited his father’s humour.

take after

Resemble a parent or family member.

Example: The rest of my sisters take after my mother.

roots

Members of family that you are descended from.

Example: His roots are from South America.

extended family

A family that extends further than the ‘nuclear family’ (mother / father / sister / brother) to include grandparents and other relatives.

Example: A lot of my extended family live in the same house, including my uncle Matt, my aunts Marie and Claire, and two of my cousins! We’re one big, happy family.