Determining which tribe of Israel one is descended from can be a complex process. Historically, the nation of Israel consisted of 12 tribes, but today the Jewish people primarily descend from the Kingdom of Judea, which only consisted of two-and-a-half tribes: Yehuda, Benjamin, and Levi. However, there are still people whose families have passed down their identity as Kohanim (Priests) or Levites, which means they descend from the tribe of Levi.

For those who are interested in tracing their ancestry back to a specific tribe, Jewish genealogy can be a helpful tool. Websites such as Ancestry.com, Geni.com, and familysearch.org can provide historical background information and social networking with other genealogists. JewishGen.org is another resource that provides access to an online collection of yizkor books, memorial volumes for destroyed European communities. Additionally, visiting ancestors graves can provide information about their Hebrew names, the names of their parents, their tribal status (Kohen, Levi, or Israel), and more.

It is important to note that while some modern-day groups claim descent from certain tribes, such as the Samaritans claiming to be descended from the Tribe of Ephraim, it can be difficult to prove such claims.