MY THOUGHTS FOR ON-LINE FAMILY TREES

 MY THOUGHTS FOR ON-LINE FAMILY TREES

I have been asked several times recently what I think of on-line family trees and how do I personally use them. 

First we all need to remember that on-line family trees are done by people - some do the research, and some just put on whatever they feel fits, with no research or sources.  

Second, I do look at on-line family trees, HOWEVER, I use them as clues for where to look for sources. They are great to find clues and tips, but do not take them as "fact" until you do your own research and have found enough sources to back up what is there.

Obviously, some trees are well done and have sources attached - this is very helpful.  Sometimes it can even confirm your own research. Just as obviously, some trees are just thrown up there with no research and what appears to be little thought. I recently saw one for my own family where one set of the great grandparents had married when they were in the single digit ages - obviously there is a big problem.

Below is a print off from an on-line tree for Ben MUSSELMAN I recently found on Ancestry. It actually correlates pretty well to sources and research I have done for myself. There are reliable sources attached to the tree and even  a few photos. 

However, I questioned why there would be two daughters with basically the same name - my gr-gr-grandma Lizzie (1864-1925) and another sister Lizzie (1868-1942). The second Lizzie will need some research since both grew to adulthood and had families, it is unlikely that parents would recycle a name for a living child.  

In my documentation there is a daughter named Flora who would fit in this slot so maybe Lizzie was a nickname or maybe it is a mix up on an otherwise helpful family tree. 

So what can I glean from this family tree?? Obviously there are names and dates.  I personally was struggling with the dates for Ben's parents - this tree gave me better dates to look at.  I also did not notice before that his parents died in the late 1840's, as did another set of my gr-gr-gr-grandparents who were in Lancaster County at that time.  

The death dates of Ben's parents plus another set of 3 x gr-grandparents tells me I need to do some checking on epidemics going on in Lancaster during that time. 

The photo of Ben is him in his Civil War uniform.  I already have the documents for his military service, but if I did not this would be a clear clue to be looking for those records.

I print them off and put the print-offs in the binder or folder of that person.  I write notes on them and use them as a "working" paper.  Several months later, I will go back to the same tree on-line and see if corrections or additions have been made since I last looked. 

It is even possible to contact the owner of the tree and ask questions or make (kind) comments.  I have been able to trade info with other shirt tail relatives this way.  It can be very helpful.

No, I do not maintain an on-line family tree.  I tried years ago to do one on Family Search.  What I put on there was documented.  However, others could add info and soon it was full of stuff that had nothing to do with me.  I gave up arguing with the contributors and the website, and have not looked at it in a couple of years.  One good thing about Ancestry is that the trees cannot be changed by just anyone.

I encourage you to take a good long look at on-line family trees.  Do not take them as "gospel" but do use them as a way to get clues, and to complete or even confirm some of your own research.