Do you ever doubt yourself?

[Vicki Morley]

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.

[rich23434565]

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!

[groom]

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.

[Vicki Morley]

I wish I had thought it through the beginning rather than taking it in blind faith. Oh well every day is a school day.

[Maggie.]

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

[groom]

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.

[giblet]

Most definitely doubt myself, quiet a few times to 
 
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 

[suey]

Oh dear, we've all done it! - well some of us have.....

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

[Vicki Morley]

I know but I dont like to take advantage of all these kind people!