遡る

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 遡る, read さかのぼる, describes going back to an earlier point in time.
• Basic usage: It is used when examining family history or accounting records back to a particular earlier point.
  • 家系図を三代前まで遡って調べた。

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• How far back an investigation goes
  • 三代前まで遡って extends an investigation back three generations. It focuses on tracing earlier points or origins, unlike 思い出す, which describes recalling something from memory.