A sedimentation rate is performed by measuring the rate at which red blood cells (RBCs) settle in a test tube. The RBCs become sediment in the bottom of the test tube over time, leaving the blood serum visible above. The classic sedimentation rate is simply how far the top of the RBC layer has fallen (in millimeters) in one hour.
The scope of genealogy, however, goes well beyond family trees; extending into areas of law, technology, event planning and medicine. Hiring a genealogist can be costly, so you must conduct your own research before hiring someone to do research on your behalf.
Some online family tree builder programs, most notably Ancestry Member Trees and MyHeritage, include an option to start a new family tree by importing a GEDCOM file. From the Upload a Family Tree page on Ancestry, click on the Browse button to the right of Choose a file.