Who Is Who among Folks: Nuances of Disparate Genealogical Information Sources in a Typical Southern Nigerian Setting

Abstract

The communal lifestyle of most native African societies, more often than not ginger knowledge about families either at inter-personal or collective level. Details of such resource therefore serve as veritable, authentic, handy and quick source of record on family relations and related issues. This paper therefore identifies ten (10) broad avenues by which family data in their assorted forms are generated with over forty (40) sub divisions listed. Significantly, some of these sources come into play during situational occurrences and special events as applicable to the Southern part of Nigeria. Literature is based on some documented family account, archival sources and personal encounters in local communities and chieftaincy affairs particularly as pertaining to the Ibibio ethnic group, with verifications from the elderly persons attuned to genealogical issues. Study notes that certain local and family records tend to be regarded and treated as personal property, therefore their not being considered for placement in public domain. This aspect so discussed is brought to the fore for librarians to explore following recommendations made.