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Friday, September 14, 2012

Dear Randy - Which Online Family Tree Do You Use? And Why?

Several weeks ago, a reader asked this question in email and I responded.  I thought my readers might be interested in the answer, so here it is:

I have put my family tree online on a number of family tree sites, including:

1)  Ancestry Member Tree - uploaded my all-in-one database in RootsMagic 5 to Family Tree Maker 2012 via GEDCOM, then used TreeSync to create a new Ancestry Member Tree one month ago.  I will update this tree occasionally by creating a new AMT and deleting the old one (but keep the same tree name).  I have a second tree, with only ancestral families, for use with the Ancestry.com mobile app, uploaded in early 2012.  My intent for this condensed tree is to invite family members to contribute.

2)  MyHeritage - all-in-one database imported to Family Tree Builder via GEDCOM and then uploaded to MyHeritage about one year ago.  Not updated since, although I get notifications of matches on a regular basis.  I'm looking forward to the Record Search feature which may provide more research hints when it is operational.

3)  WeRelate.org - a small portion of my all-in-one database imported via GEDCOM several years ago.  Not updated since, although I respond to queries and get notifications of changes to persons on my watchlist.

4)  WikiTree - several small portions of my all-in-one database imported via GEDCOM, not updated since, although I respond to merge requests and queries.

5)  Geni.com - a portion of my all-in-one database imported via GEDCOM several years ago, but not updated since.  I'm waiting for Ancestor Sync to work so that I can add more here, since Geni doesn't permit a GEDCOM upload any longer..

6)  FindMyPast.co.uk - a portion of my all-in-one database imported via GEDCOM several years ago.  Not updated since.

7)  GeneaNet.com - my all-in-one database imported via GEDCOM several years ago.  Not updated since.

8)  FamilySearch Family Tree - a portion of my all-in-one database via RootsMagic synchronization, then editing data and relationships.  I have about 600 persons synced now, and am waiting for source citation synchronization, and the ability to upload document images, to add more.

9)  GenesReunited - my all-in-one database imported via GEDCOM several years ago, not updated since.

10)  FamilyPursuit - my all-in-one database imported via GEDCOM several years ago, not updated since.  I don't recommend this one due to living person privacy issues..

11)  Appletree - my all-in-one database imported via GEDCOM several years ago, not updated since.  I don't recommend this one due to living persons privacy issues.

There may be others...

Most of these trees are online for "cousin bait," not for research.  Almost all of the sites are impossible to update - you have to upload a new GEDCOM and delete the old one in order to update it.  


I use the condensed ancestral tree on Ancestry to add documents and relationships from the Shaky Leaves using my iPhone and I sync that occasionally with FTM 2012, which downloads the attached images.  Occasionally, the green Shaky Leaves on the AMT provided information which I've added manually to my all-in-one database in RootsMagic 5. 


I receive several Ancestry messages each month concerning persons on my Ancestry Member Tree  and respond to them.  I get more email messages from researchers asking for information, or correcting my information, from my Genealogy website at http://www.genealogy.com/users/s/e/a/Randy-Seaver/.  I rarely receive messages from persons viewing my tree on the other sites.

What other online family tree sites do you use as "cousin bait" and/or collaboration?

The URL for this post is:  http://www.geneamusings.com/2012/09/dear-randy-which-online-family-tree-do.html

Copyright (c) 2012, Randall J. Seaver

3 comments:

  1. AncestorSync is out in beta now. It's supposed to work with Geni, FamilySearch, and MyHeritage, although I haven't tried it yet, as I'm still cleaning up my tree.

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  2. Hi Randy,
    I use most of the same sites you do and also Rootsweb's WorldConnect. I love the "almost interactive" feature that lets anyone zero in on his own relative in my tree and produce ancestry and descendant trees for that person. I also love that they promise to keep my tree online even after I'm no longer around. That's very reassuring.

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  3. Dear Randy ~ It was interesting to look at your tree on Genealogy.Com ~ I forgot that I was even a member . It's interesting to see those trees at Genealogy.Com have no citation of sources anywhere . Is it still like that when one uploads ??

    Magda

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