The Bhutanese people, especially among the higher social circles, have a keen sense of belonging to their past and origins and show strong interest in their ancestry and gynealogy. With very little written record of the past, much of the genealogical information is passed down orally from generation to generation. Bhutanese elders trace their family connections and origins with great attachment. The interest in family lines and descent also strengthen the extended family culture of Bhutan in which families keep close relationship even with cousins removed by many generations. Some important families also have their genealogy written down, the most notable being the families which descend from Bhutan's foremost saint Pema Lingpa.