Genealogy Chat

I have been doing some work recently on a corner of my tree that I hadn't looked at for some time. I found that I had a marriage for someone who, when I looked further, would have been about 12 years old at the time (This was in the 1870's). Further research has now found the correct marriage with someone in their 20's.(Bought the cert like I should have the first time)

While doing this I looked at the links to other trees.(this is on Ancestry) and found that the incorrect part of the tree has been copied wholesale into at least 6 other trees. I know its just been copied as there was a spelling mistake in one of the names and this is in all the trees I looked at. So what do I do? Tell all the people its wrong? Nah, their problem.

But the point is, don't believe anything in other trees and do your own research. You can always send messages to ask what evidence people have to back up their tree.

Andy

I learned that lesson many years ago when I found an online tree that had my father's brother listed as his father. That tree is still online even though I have corrected the poster.

After many years of researching my 3x great grandfather including wills, Record Offices etc I now have proof of his age via a newly aquired Wesleyan burial record from the National Archive. He died pre 1841.

I have passed the research onto a number of people with the same ancester and no one appears to be interested. As Margee says trees are still online the incorrect information and the wrong wife. I suppose the really exasperating thing is that I would love someone else to share this. I think that some people don't really care and just view it as name collection.

I,ve seen this someone asked to see my private tree as a family member I allowed it ...then to my amazement at least 6 people now have that INCORRECT info from my tree into theirs !!!!!! The thing is I told that person it was wrong but I had not worked out how to delete it without deleting another section which is correct!

Oh well mine is now right and private again .....I dont care what people take from my tree BUT when I know its wrong and tell them and they still copy it amazes me!

If the Ancestry tree is public you can leave a comment for the relevant records which other people will see. The owner of the tree cannot prevent the comment except by taking the tree private. Once the comment has been made only the poster can remove it not the tree owner.

Of course comments can also add useful information as well!

i had a request from a member on here to look at my tree i asked a few questions to make sure she did have a match to mine as the answers added up i opened my tree to her. she then copied every thing on my tree including my husbands family. the match was very distant so his great grand parents etc had nothing to do with her.
i dont open my tree to anyone now but give only the information people ask for
and made my ancestory tree private
once bitten ah
zena

well said guys.. i got a request the other day that said Please let me see your tree...
i was a bit cheeky back stating that a HELLO would have been a good start... especially when a lot of people on here are trying to help each other....

I had exactly the same experience as Zena, so I do not open my tree here or Ancestry.

Carol

Hello All

I'm getting very cautious about sharing my tree. I always ask a few questions of those who ask to view my tree such as how they are related to me. I regularly review who has access to my tree and remove access when I feel it is no longer required. Not very happy with who simply "copy" my tree into theirs in what seems to be an attempt to have as many rellies as possible. Any mistakes I may have inadvertently made are simply repeated in their tress. Plus, many people in my tree are my direct relatives - have a bit of respect please!

I'm not really happy that Genesreunited has designed messages for people to send. I delete this and put my own personalised message in there. I'm certainly not happy when someone contacts me using one of those pre-typed messages. Please talk to me. I like "talking" to distant cousins and truly sharing our information.

Lynda

I am new to this site and quite happy to use its resources for my own purpose. I have quite a large tree with ancestry and leave it public in order for others to pass information on to me, which quite a few have done with at times some interesting information that otherwise i would not have received.
True some people are just name gatherers but honestly what harm is done, i do not concern myself with other people who wish to borrow from my tree and simply encourage others to share.
Have a great day
Peter Wraight
Bracebridge, Ont

I agree with Peter. I couldn't care less how much info is copied from my Ancestry tree, does me no harm! And in return I have had loads of useful leads to follow myself.
I think people should be sensible and use other trees for clues, but unless info is backed up by the tree-owner check out the info for themselves.
Jan

I found one relative on another tree, name correct, year and place of birth correct, father Alfred the Great!!!

Andy