As applied to human beings, pedigree is a genealogical table which records the relationship of families by degrees; an account or register of a line of ancestors. It embraces matters of descent, relationship, birth, marriage and death, as well as facts necessarily resulting therefrom.

2 Union Bank vs. Knapp, 3 Pick , 96.

Declarations concerning pedigree are admissible only (1) when made prior to the commencement of the suit; (2) by a deceased person; (3) who was related by blood or marriage to the person or family to which such declarations refer. The declarations themselves are not admissible to prove the relationship of declarant to the person or family referred to; that must be proved aliunde. Where the purpose of the suit is to reach the estate of the declarant, and not to establish right through him, such declarations concerning kinship are admissible without other proof of relationship.

In order to render declarations as to pedigree admissible, it must be shown that they were made before the controversy arose and concerning legitimate relationship. Illegitimate pedigree cannot be proved by declarations of deceased persons.