RootsChat.Com
General => The Common Room => Topic started by: Vicki Morley on Saturday 24 August 13 22:11 BST (UK)
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I havent been doing this for very long and have done most of the work on Ancestry. Ive been writing everything up for my dad today and now Im starting to doubt who his gt gt grandad is. I know his gt grandparents are, but its the gt grandad's father Im now wondering if Ive traced back using false information from someone else's tree and Ive found out lots about people who are no relation to me.
Ive been arguing with myself all night about it! I need a marriage certificate to make sure Im going on the right lines, but Id be gutted if I was wrong and have lost these new people I feel "close" to.
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Yes, all the time. The only way to try and be sure is to check with original records and then check again. One of my gt-grandmother's had the wrong father on her marriage certificate and I assumed it was accurate, trying to ignore the fact I couldn't find a birth certificate for her. Eventually I solved it (actually someone on here did) and I found her real father and her birth certificate. I'd done a lot of research into her adoptive father's family too which, although not wasted, did take up a lot of time.
I think it's best to keep an open mind and be prepared for some trial and error. It should be fun after all! :)
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You really do need to get certificates rather than follow trees on Ancestry or anywhere else. You only have to read threads on here where people have found countless mistakes on trees that have then just been copied onto other trees.
If you want to give the name and date of birth of your father's great grand parents, someone on here may be able to check it for you. If you decide to do that, it might be better to start a new thread in the relevant county so that more people see it.
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I wish I had thought it through the beginning rather than taking it in blind faith. Oh well every day is a school day.
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I would reiterate the sound advice from Groom and rich.
Don't be disheartened Vicky - just think how good it will feel when you are happy that everything checks out correctly and you have linked to the right people.
Good luck.
Maggie
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When was his great grandfather born? If it is at least in the early 1900s you should be able to find him and his family on the censuses and work back that way.
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Most definitely doubt myself, quiet a few times to ;D
I only use someone else's trees as a guide only.
As groom suggested maybe post a thread on the forum and someone might be able to have a look at it for you.
Quoted by rich23434565
It should be fun after all!
I couldnt agree more with you on that ;)
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Oh dear, we've all done it! - well some of us have..... ;D
The trouble with this game is that you do have to check, check and check again and be prepared to spend some money :( So get that Marriage cert. otherwise you'll be forever wondering.
Do as others have advised and ask here first, you'd be surprised what resources Rootschatters have at their fingertips, there aren't many questions that go un-answered :)
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I know but I dont like to take advantage of all these kind people!
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I know but I dont like to take advantage of all these kind people!
Vicki - I'm pretty sure that no-one would accuse anyone of 'taking advantage', if that were the case Rootschat wouldn't still be the thriving family history site that it is!
If I hadn't asked questions, or read others threads to gain knowledge I don't think I'd have a family tree today, I think I would have given up long ago.
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Hi Vicky
As Suey and others advise, you should try asking for help.
Just give the information you have so that you won't get people offering what you already know.
You won't be taking advantage, helping each other is part of the fun. Just remember a 'thank you', that will go a long way.
I'm sure many are waiting for starters orders. ;)
Susan
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I know, but I come from a culture of other fora (not genealogy) where people whinge if you constantly ask rather than trying to find out for yourself. Its hard coming round to the RootsChat way.
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Vicki, that's what a lot of us who are on Rootschat really enjoy doing - helping others to break down a brick wall or find that elusive person. It is often surprising what a fresh pair of eyes can find. You certainly aren't taking advantage as that is what Rootschat was founded for, to help each other. Most of us started by asking for help and then found that in return we could also help others. All we ask in return, as Susan said, is a word of thanks.
Personally, I would much rather ask for help from people on here, some of whom are very knowledgeable and know exactly where to look, than rely on family trees from other sites where they may not have been researched properly.
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I'm so relieved to read that others doubt themselves, after having just made a very big mistake here!
People were kind, however. I'm going to check dates much more carefully from now on.