Genealogy. Family History. These words conjure images of Great-Aunt Marge, sitting around talking about her long dead grandparents, with faded pictures in scrapbooks. The reality is far different. Genealogy is learning where you came from. It is learning history. With the recent advancements in genetic testing, it is learning if you are more likely to have a genetic disease, like cancer or Tay-Sachs, or if you could be a carrier. Genealogy, at its root, is the study of “us”: who we are, where we are from, and how we connect with each other. There has been much talk lately of the future. Many conversations about the colonization, or at least habitation, of space have been had. This group EXISTS to promote that idea, with one of our stated goals being involved in the first human born in space. However, for all the talks I’ve seen about scientists, artists, technicians and even lay workers, never have I seen a mention of having a genealogist as part of the first permanent off-planet settlement. There are a few reasons why this would be important, including ensuring the genetic security of the colony, and maintaining a cultural connection with Earth. The scientific need for a genealogist is straightforward. As we will likely have a historian, documenting the day-to-day life and struggles of the new colony, so a genealogist should be there to document the families: the births, the deaths, the marriages. Before any colony can be prepared, all the members should submit a 4-generation genealogical chart. This information can be run through a computer, or hand tabulated, to ensure that no member of the original colonial team is a closer relative than 2nd cousin. This relationship is important as it is considered the nearest relation to minimize genetic defects. For the non-genealogists, a 2nd cousin would be the children of 1st cousins. For example, I have a first cousin (K). K has a son (C). My children and C are 2nd cousins. A program as readily available as Family Tree Maker or RootsMagic could show the relationships. A partnership could be made with Ancestry.com or 23andMe.com to develop the basic database needed to actually determine genetic relations. This would allow the agency (whoever is sending the colonists) to weed out applicants closer than 2nd cousins. This would be the starting point of the colony and ensure that, given enough people, there is enough genetic diversity to help prevent defects for many generations. The other reason for a permanent genealogist is less scientific and more metaphysical. Genealogists help us connect: to our past, our roots and give us a sense of belonging. Most genealogists agree that an immigrant family begins to lose its “old world” identity after two generations. The grandchildren of Italian immigrants to the USA tend to think of themselves as American first, Italian second if at all. This feeling of disconnection from “the old world” will only be amplified for off world settlers. Lunar colonies will probably not have as much impact; after all, they can look in the sky and see their ancestral home staring back at them. Martian colonies, on the other hand, will be completely cut off. With a time delay of 5 to 20 minutes, there will be no “live” communication with Earth. If something, heaven forbid, happen on a lunar colony, help is 3-5 days away. While that is a terrifying thought, it is, potentially, a livable one. Martian residents will see the Earth as just another point of light in the sky, and when things go wrong, help is only 6-8months away. Mars will still get movies and music from Earth, but they will develop their own talent quickly. The children and grandchildren of the first colonists will learn of “The Great Covid-19 Pandemic” on Earth, but it will be in an abstract way, much the way children today learn of “The Spanish Flu of 1918” or “The Black Death”. There will be little to no connection there. Having a strong genealogical core will help tie them back to humanity, to help remind them, as genealogy should, that they are connected to others, even distant ones on a little point of light in the sky.