Genealogy is an exciting journey of discovery, but it’s easy to get caught up in the thrill of the chase. With so many online tools and databases, anyone can start creating their family history instantly – but how many of us pause to ask: does my tree have solid roots?
Jumping to conclusions is one of the quickest ways to build a shaky tree. Many genealogy websites show helpful hints or suggestions, based on similar names, dates, or locations. These can be incredibly helpful, but they also come with the risk of connecting you to the wrong ancestor. It is so, so tempting to accept hints that fit your current data, but doing so without further investigation is extremely risky.
Genealogy websites use advanced algorithms that sift through massive databases to generate their “hints”—suggested records for ancestors that might be connected to your family tree. So, on the surface, these hints seem like a quick way to expand your family tree with minimal effort. However, there’s always a catch………
The truth is, these “hints” are often far from perfect. The algorithms are incredibly powerful, but they’re still just algorithms. They use complex logic to match names, dates, locations, and other variables, but there’s no guarantee that the hints they generate are actually accurate. We’ve all seen those really helpful online trees with ancestors who died before they were even born! It’s important to remember that these notifications are “hints” not “facts!” You still need to check and verify everything for yourself.
It’s tempting to rely on these hints and shortcut your research, but there’s no such thing as a true shortcut when it comes to family history research. While these hints might suggest a promising lead, they should never replace your own research. Simply attaching a hint without verifying the information can lead you down the wrong path and result in shaky foundations for your tree. Before you add any new information to your tree, double-check the information. Cross-reference census records, birth certificates, wills, or any other historical documents that provide hard evidence. Genealogical research is all about verifying facts, not making assumptions. If you’re unsure about a connection, mark it with a question mark and continue searching for more proof before making it permanent.
The same caution is necessary when viewing existing online trees - it’s important to remember that not all family trees are created with the same care and diligence that yours hopefully will have. Just because someone else has a connection listed doesn’t mean it’s correct, and if you do find some information that conflicts with what you have already discovered, don’t assume they are right and you are wrong. You can politely ask the owner of the tree if they can prove the connection that they have and you can check and verify this against your own known research. I have discovered multiple trees online that connect the same incorrect set of records to an ancestor - all it takes is one person to make an assumption and it seems dozens of others will copy them.
When you research your family’s history, always aim for primary sources—original records that document an event directly. Primary sources provide direct evidence of events and relationships, and they will be the strongest foundation for your research. No record is perfect, and discrepancies are common. The key to building a solid family tree is finding consistency across multiple sources. For example, you might find different spellings of a name in various records, or a few years off on a birth date. This doesn’t automatically mean that the document that you have just discovered is wrong, but if you notice a significant gap in dates or facts that don’t align, it’s a red flag that you need to investigate further. Try keeping a log of discrepancies and focus on resolving them. Sometimes, the answer lies in cross-referencing a wider variety of sources to create a fuller, more accurate picture. And always remember to record your sources - where you found each fact, so you can retrace your footsteps if necessary and evaluate the authority of your data.
Building a family tree is like constructing a house, it requires a solid foundation. By being diligent, checking your facts, and focusing on verified sources, you can avoid the pitfalls of shaky family trees. Remember, genealogy isn’t a race to fill in the blanks; it’s a process of careful research, critical thinking, and, above all, patience.
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