Ancestry trees

[suey]

No sorry Yorky - if you want to go back to the beginning of this thread you will see it was a case of  if this type of topic annoys you then avoid.  If others  want to vent their spleen then let them.

And you bet these big organisations should have a duty. I really don't think y'all are looking at the bigger picture and neither are they.  At the moment companies like Ancestry & FindMyPast are top dogs but they need to be thinking about how they can improve and provide a better service or they will lose their crown.  Okay, so you all know the pit falls and what to look out for when researching on these websites but the vast majority really do not.  Family History is now an industry it's BIG.  You can still back and accept the problems or maybe protest a bit and try and make it better for future generations.

I agree - well said.

The very fact that some of the adverts state things such as, "With one click of a button you can take your family back hundreds of years" 

That advert does annoy me  
There was a post, I think in the Common Room a day or so ago where someone is looking for a particular family name, the poster says "I can't find the tree online".  I'll make a bet they've seen that bally ad and think that their family tree is going to magically appear in front of their very eyes.

It's all too easy to sit in the comfort of our own home and bash away on the internet.  I have the utmost respect for those folk who slogged their way around dusty archives actively seeking out their families and their roots. 

The internet is a wonderful tool and my family tree would not exist without it, however when I first began I was told over and over "you must check things out" - "look at the original where possible" and "provide sources and evidence". 

Easy for us who have been 'at it' for a while but for beginners?  Who bothers to read disclaimers?, most people don't read the small print on their car insurance, so they're not going to bother with it on Ancestry!

[Mike in Cumbria]

The internet is a wonderful tool and my family tree would not exist without it, however when I first began I was told over and over "you must check things out" - "look at the original where possible" and "provide sources and evidence". 

Exactly. We were all beginners once, those of us who took it seriously soon learned what to do and what not to do.

[california dreamin]

And you bet these big organisations should have a duty. I really don't think y'all are looking at the bigger picture and neither are they.  At the moment companies like Ancestry & FindMyPast are top dogs but they need to be thinking about how they can improve and provide a better service or they will lose their crown.

That's a business decision, not a duty.

Hey Mike,
Here's Ancestry's mission statement:
http://corporate.ancestry.com/about-ancestry/company-info/mission-and-culture/

Apparently they are guided by a very human mission.  "We must think like category leaders and take that responsibility seriously"  Their words not mine.

[Mike in Cumbria]

Mission statements are always good for a laugh. They also say:
"We value intelligence and smart execution."

[ThrelfallYorky]

That mission statement "We must think like category leaders and take that responsibility seriously" sounds - almost like politicians!! Amazed no party has adopted it. Must be the day (General Election) having its effect on my brain. The one Mike in Cumbria gives sounds as if it might be painful!
 Actually it's the delving around in real, dusty records that is the real fun part of the hunt.

 Just feel that it's so easy for us to feel we're right  with the information we "know"... and after feeling that, I know I've found myself wrong, and had to rewind, unravel and re-sort, 'cos someone else was right.
So although the errors on trees annoy, sometimes, especially when we start out, they can be a bit helpful, but is it all worth getting so worked up about it? That's my point.

[jettejjane]

As you said many posts ago, JetteJane, you know you're right - well, many of them feel the same. They "know" they're right, too.
You have said that you can take criticism for being outspoken, and enjoy it - so do, don't get worked up about it.....

I am right.  with certs, documents, pictures and family stories about ancestors handed down generatio n to generation. My Redmans are well catalogued in Arundel as well. How can they even think they are right without that.I take criticism yes but not always. Believe me I am not any more worked up than many others in here. You can't see my face when I am smiling at things I and others say.

This topic doesn't annoy me in the slightest. Have even learned a few things and  said some stupid things . It is just a discussion with various viewpoints.

No ban on this subject please, as CD says if people don't like the subject they don't have to join in.

[suey]

Hmm   Ancestry also mention "authentic family stories". 

Dictionary says - Authentic

not false or copied; genuine; real: 

having the origin supported by unquestionable evidence; authenticated; verified: 

[suek2075]

I'm sure Ancestry would love it if all their users compiled authentic stories, I just can't think what they could practically do to ensure everyone does.

Anyone have any ideas?

[Mike in Cumbria]

They could police them all, check every part of every user's trees and delete those that were wrong. Persistent offenders would have their subscription refunded and they would not only be banned from Ancestry but then blacklisted from all FH sites.

Simple.