What is the purpose behind genealogy?

I just want to know what my heritage is, call it curiosity or maybe a need to establish"roots". I am someone who is definitely not skilled, I am an amateur who is just searching. I think everyone has their own reasons it is after all a personal choice, some care about it, some don't. When we were growing up, we didn't have much contact with my mothers family and as we got older it was interesting and a need almost to know them, especially as my mother eventually got sick and ped away. It is something of her past to hold on to.