What are some geneology do's and don't's ?

Question

What are some geneology do's and don't's ?

Answer 1

My do list;

Always document where you got your information from (sources), verify your sources, when you take information from a website or from other mediums-always quote the owner of that site/medium as a source, ask permission to include family data even though the people in that data are also your relatives, consider an individual as living when he/she was born less than 100 years ago, when no birth or death information is there and they are born in a family that is less than 100 years old mark them as living or private, if you have stories of the person in the data-include it as a note, if you are unsure of an individuals vital information also make a note and explain what your concern is, always thank some one for their help, help other people with info when they ask.

My don't list;

Never never publish vital information on living individuals (unless you have WRITTEN permission to do so), Use multiple sources in your research, never assume someone is related because of last name and place of birth, don't pester people for information...ask once and then let it be (most family members will oblige you and there are a few that have absolutely no interest).

These are all I can think of off the top of my head. Basically, it's all just common sense and respecting other people's wishes.

Answer 2

Always start from you and work back, never the other way round.

Always cross reference any record you find, with an original source, and do not believe it until you have.

Never believe anybody else's family tree if it is also to be added to yours, again, check out everything to verify that it is correct.

Don't assume that birth marriage and death records are the ones you are looking for until you have obtained the certificate.

Don't believe ages given in census returns or on marriage  or death certificates, use them only as a guide.

When things get really difficult and you cannot prove a vital link (normally when you've gone back a couple of hundred years) try to actively disprove it, if you cannot, it is possibly correct but you must always have that ? question mark attached to the name.

Answer 3

Big don't!   Don't copy someone else's information from an online family tree or from a book without documentation without verifying it.  Just because it is online or in a published book doesn't mean it is accurate.

Online you willl frequently see different information from different subscribers on the same people. Then you will see repeatedly the same information from different subscribers on the same people. That is absolutely no guarantee the information is correct.  A lot of people copy without verifying.  

Another don't. Don't get overly involved in the origin of a surname. The same surname can come from more than one national origin.  Also people with the same surname are not necessarily related or shares ancestors, even those of the same national origin.  

Do:  Get as much documentation to back up what you have as possible.

Answer 4

These are my dos and don'ts:

Do check your sources.

Do keep good records.

Do keep backups.

Don't jump to conclusions.

Don't trust online trees.

Don't put off questioning your older relatives.

Answer 5

Just do a search at Google and you will be provided with numerous websites for research. You can also find some websites to order the proper pages to record the results of what you find. Don't be afraid to pick up Genealogy For Dummies.....It's a GREAT book with a LOT of tips and pointers to get anyone started. Good Luck

Answer 6

DO:

Verify other people's sources

Repay favors

Check for errors

Cite your sources

Explain both sides if there is a question. We all have people named John Wesley "Smith" who show up as JW or WJ or Wesley, with one or two out of ten kids hiding behind the barn when the census enumerator came by and a wife who shaved 3 years off her age. The parents' birth states may be off too. List the arguments for and arguments against him being yours.

DON'T

Give away details on living or recently departed people. (For example, if your grandfather has died but your grandmother hasn't, don't tell the world his death date and leave her as "Living Individual - Details Hidden". Flim-Flam men prey on widows.

Believe everything you see on the Internet

Try to do it in Excel or Access instead of a real genealogy program