Tracing Roots: Understanding Family Trees and their Importance in Modern Society

Abstract

In the context of a rapidly globalizing world, the study of family trees has gained increasing significance as individuals strive to understand their origins and cultural identities amid shifting social landscapes. The objective of this paper is to review the current status of research works on the importance of family trees as well as to provide an overview of existing literatures to facilitate future research. The present study reviewed 26 current and high-quality articles from 2019 to 2024 to identify the importance of family trees in the modern world especially Malaysia. The findings indicate that family trees are not only crucial for personal identity formation but also hold significant value across various academic fields, such as genetics, sociology, anthropology, and history. In genetics, they help identify hereditary diseases and contribute to medical research and preventive healthcare strategies. Sociologically, they provide a framework for analyzing family dynamics, social stratification, and cultural transmission, while anthropologically, they offer insights into human migration patterns and the evolution of societal structures. The study also highlights the growing popularity of digital platforms and DNA testing services, which have made genealogical research more accessible, thus enabling individuals to reconstruct their family histories with greater ease and accuracy. In Malaysia, the exploration of family trees and the preservation of genealogical records reflect a broader societal interest in cultural heritage and identity, particularly among its diverse ethnic groups. Several recommendations are highlighted related to conducting more qualitative studies, to have specific and a standard systematic review method for guide research synthesis as well as to practice complimentary searching techniques such as citation tracking, reference searching, snow balling and contacting experts. This research concludes that understanding family trees is vital for cultural preservation and national identity, serving as a means for individuals to assert their heritage and strengthen communal bonds.