Uneasy about online tree

[senojekips]

My good fortune started when most of one generation migrated to the US. One part of that group became Mormons, living in Utah and Idaho, and of course their records are very detailed. This was responsible for over 1500 entries in one go gladly given by one of the Mormon family genealogists.

This opened up my eyes to other possibilities and i found another similar number or of members who settled in Missouri, and Kentucky. The Kentucky clan were infamous insofar as one of them was the first man hung in Wise County Virginia.  A tough old bird who was deeply into the famous Appalachian Feuds. These persons families are all well documented so it all came very easily.

[Silverhawk]

I don't really give a monkeys if people put parts of my tree on theirs.  I've drifted sideways onto so many collateral by-marriage branches, chances are they're a closer link to them than me anyway

The only thing I would be perturbed about is if people were indiscriminately attaching names for the sake of it.  On GR I've gotten messages from people who think that say John Smith born 1870, must be their relative because they've got a John Smith born 1870ish.

My idea of the family history hobby is that you're finding people that are actually connected to you.  The people who treat it like a glorified Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon game are wasting a great deal of time and effort and I can't understand why they'd bother.

[KathMc]

I agree Silverhawk. I must admit I am fed up with GR and won't be resubscribing. I have people contacting me and I clearly state there is no connection and they still want to see my tree. I love to see how big my tree is, not because I collect names, but because each one is evidence of my hard work determining that they belong there. A great satisfaction in hard work. 

Kath

[Silverhawk]

Having said that, GR isn't all no-hopers.  I'd say a good 75% of my actually connected contacts have come from there.  And if it wasn't for GR, my mam would never have been able to get back in touch with her cousin after 30 years, so in my case the good outweighs the bad.  Just be a bit careful, make sure of the connection before sharing - that's all you really need to do.  Dropping the site altogether would seem a little drastic to me, unless of course you've rarely if ever gotten anything from it.

[KathMc]

I go on it sporadically, but haven't, in the almost year that I have been a member, had a viable contact. I've had one that might be a connection, but I need to get back 2 more generations, and all the others have been misfires. Although it is cheap, it hasn't been worth it for me. I went through four pages of "hot matches" the other day without one connection. I don't know why I put place of birth for my ancestors. All they match are name and date, so I had about 10 'matches' for my New Jersey born gg grandfather, most in Australia. And that's only one name.

Oh well, I am envious of those who had luck and more power to you, but I haven't had any and mostly find it frustrating.

Kath

[Silverhawk]

I have to say it sounds like quite bad luck not to get a single contact.  But then if it's doing nothing for you, it makes sense not to continue with it.

Hot Matches is a waste of code, it's much more accurate to do your own searches I've found.

[Sooziecats]

 Unfortunately I didn't view it straightaway as I was away from home.  On my return I did view it and the tree consisted of one person - him!!!!
I

 I tried to upload my tree to GenesReunited and all it uploaded was my name - so it may not be his fault.

I do find it a little bit annoying when people "pinch" my stuff, but it is (usually) their family as well, so maybe we should be a little more forgiving.

I still check out all the info others give me - as we all know it is easy to assume, rather than check out the facts.

Happy Boxing Day to you all.

Sooziecats

PS Just been for a walk with my Mum and walked along a derelict alley where her Great Grandfather used to live - I have lived here 40 years and never been down there!

[john franks]

Thanks suttontrust for kicking off a really useful thread. It has generated so much interest that I would suggest that the main points arising could be compiled into a guide for those of us who might have concerns about putting our stuff online.

John

[yn9man]

john -

Great idea. Maybe the moderator will / could arrange.

yn9man