Ask AI: "Please create a multi-class outline with short descriptions for a 'Beginning Genealogy' class with homework assignments"

 The Artificial Intelligence tools (like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, Meta, CoPilot and Claude) can provide much useful and nearly instant information about subjects in a concise format, especially when they have been pre-trained on a large volume of information about the subjects.

I wondered if the FREE AI tools could provide me with an outline suitable for a "Beginning Genealogy" education course sponsored by a genealogical society.

(image created on ChatGPT4)

1)  I chose to use the responses from free ChatGPT4 (as of 21 December 2024).  

My first Prompt was:  "Please create a multi-class outline with short descriptions for a Beginning Genealogy class with homework assignments.  Be sure to include traditional, paper-based resources, home sources, online resources, genealogy software, plus DNA and AI features."

The ChatGPT4 response was:

Class 1: Introduction to Genealogy

• Objective: Understand the basics of genealogy and start building your family tree.
• Topics Covered:
  • What is genealogy?
  • Key terms and concepts (ancestors, descendants, pedigree charts, family group sheets).
  • Overview of traditional vs. digital genealogy tools.
• Homework:
  • Interview a family member and record at least three family stories or facts.
  • Gather and review home sources, such as family Bibles, photographs, and letters.

---

Class 2: Traditional Research Methods

• Objective: Learn how to use paper-based and local resources effectively.
• Topics Covered:
  • Using census records, church records, and land deeds.
  • Visiting libraries, archives, and courthouses.
  • Introduction to genealogical societies.
• Homework:
  • Locate a local archive or library and identify one collection relevant to your research.
  • Fill out a pedigree chart and family group sheet using home sources.

---

Class 3: Online Research Tools

• Objective: Master the basics of online genealogical research.
• Topics Covered:
  • Overview of major genealogy websites (e.g., Ancestry, FamilySearch, MyHeritage).
  • Searching effectively online using filters and keywords.
  • Exploring specialized databases (e.g., military, immigration, and newspapers).
• Homework:
  • Create a free account on FamilySearch and explore your family tree.
  • Find one record online and compare it to a home source for accuracy.

---

Class 4: Genealogy Software & Organization

• Objective: Organize your findings with software and apps.
• Topics Covered:
  • Choosing the right genealogy software (e.g., RootsMagic, Legacy Family Tree, Family Tree Maker).
  • Digital vs. physical organization: best practices for filing.
  • Backing up your research.
• Homework:
  • Install and explore a free or trial version of genealogy software.
  • Input at least three generations of your family tree.

---

Class 5: Using DNA in Genealogy

• Objective: Understand how DNA testing can enhance your research.
• Topics Covered:
  • Types of DNA tests (autosomal, Y-DNA, mtDNA) and their uses.
  • Selecting a DNA testing company.
  • Interpreting matches and using ethnicity estimates responsibly.
• Homework:
  • If you’ve taken a DNA test, review your top matches and group them by known family lines.
  • Research a DNA testing service that might help answer a genealogical question.

---

Class 6: AI in Genealogy

• Objective: Explore how AI tools can assist in research.
• Topics Covered:
  • Automated transcription of old documents.
  • AI-generated hints and family tree matching.
  • Using ChatGPT for research strategies and family story enhancement.
• Homework:
  • Use an AI tool like ChatGPT to draft a family narrative from your collected data.
  • Try an AI transcription tool on an old document or photo you’ve collected.

---

Class 7: Putting It All Together

• Objective: Develop a research plan and start breaking through brick walls.
• Topics Covered:
  • How to create a focused research question.
  • Solving brick walls with combined sources (traditional, online, DNA, AI).
  • Sharing and preserving your family history (writing, printing, and digital options).
• Homework:
  • Create a short research plan for one family member or question.
  • Write a one-page family story incorporating your findings.

---

Class 8: Review and Next Steps

• Objective: Reflect on your progress and plan future research.
• Topics Covered:
  • Sharing successes and troubleshooting challenges.
  • Advanced resources and next-level research strategies.
  • Continuing education opportunities in genealogy.
• Final Homework:
  • Share your research plan and one-page family story with the class for feedback.
  • Identify two advanced genealogical topics you want to learn about next.

---

Would you like suggestions for additional resources or examples for any specific section

2)  My next Prompt was:  Please expand on Class 3, Online Research Tools with descriptions of each element in significant detail. Can you include other family history websites (e.g., AmericanAncestors, Find A Grave, Findmypast, Newspapers.com, GenealogyBank, WikiTree, Geni, and more).

The ChatGPT4 response was:

Expanded Outline for Class 3: Online Research Tools

Objective: Equip students with the knowledge to navigate and utilize major online resources for genealogical research.

---

1. Major Genealogy Websites

Detailed walkthrough of widely-used platforms and their strengths:

• Ancestry.com

  • Features: The largest subscription-based genealogy site with billions of records, including U.S. census, immigration, military, and vital records.
  • Key Tools: Ancestry Hints, family tree building, and DNA integration.
  • Use Case: Finding detailed census data, marriage records, and collaborating with other researchers via tree sharing.

• FamilySearch.org

  • Features: A free site run by the LDS Church offering access to a massive collection of records, including parish, probate, and international records.
  • Key Tools: Family Tree (open and collaborative), digitized microfilms, and research wikis.
  • Use Case: Searching parish records or using their research wiki to find information by location or record type.

• MyHeritage.com

  • Features: Internationally focused, with strong European and Jewish record collections, DNA tools, and tree-building features.
  • Key Tools: Smart Matches, Record Matches, and photo enhancement tools.
  • Use Case: Locating hard-to-find international ancestors and connecting with living relatives.

• Findmypast.com

  • Features: Strong in British and Irish records, including census, parish, and newspaper archives.
  • Key Tools: Marriage Finder and newspaper searches.
  • Use Case: Tracing ancestors from the British Isles or accessing exclusive collections like the 1921 UK census.

• AmericanAncestors.org

  • Features: Run by the New England Historic Genealogical Society, it specializes in New England, early American, and Jewish genealogy.
  • Key Tools: Access to historical journals, exclusive databases, and expert webinars.
  • Use Case: Researching early colonial American or New England ancestors.

---

2. Cemetery and Burial Records

Discovering ancestors through their final resting places:

• Find A Grave

  • Features: Free, user-contributed database with millions of memorials, photographs, and burial records.
  • Use Case: Finding gravestone images, death dates, and sometimes biographical details.

• BillionGraves.com

  • Features: Focuses on GPS-tagged cemetery photos and transcriptions.
  • Use Case: Locating exact burial locations and connecting cemetery data to family trees.

---

3. Historical Newspapers

How to uncover family stories and events through old newspapers:

• Newspapers.com

  • Features: The largest newspaper archive with millions of pages from local and international papers.
  • Use Case: Discovering obituaries, marriage announcements, and local news involving ancestors.

• GenealogyBank.com

  • Features: Focused on historical newspapers and obituaries, along with historical books and government publications.
  • Use Case: Finding unique obituaries and articles from smaller regional papers.

• Chronicling America

  • Features: Free, Library of Congress-run database of digitized newspapers from the U.S. (1836-1922).
  • Use Case: Researching ancestors in the U.S. during the 19th century.

---

4. Collaborative Family Tree Sites

Collaborate with others to expand your research:

• WikiTree.com

  • Features: A free, collaborative tree-building platform with a goal of creating a single shared family tree.
  • Use Case: Finding new cousins, sourcing records, and adding to a shared knowledge base.

• Geni.com

  • Features: Collaborative global family tree with tools for merging and connecting ancestors.
  • Use Case: Connecting to distant relatives and integrating DNA results.

---

5. Specialized Databases and Tools

Explore niche resources for specific needs:

• Cyndi's List

  • Features: A categorized directory of over 300,000 genealogy links.
  • Use Case: Finding resources for specific regions, topics, or ethnic groups.

• JewishGen.org

  • Features: A free resource for Jewish genealogy, including Holocaust databases, family tree submissions, and historical communities.
  • Use Case: Researching Jewish ancestors or discovering family connections lost in WWII.

• USGenWeb Project

  • Features: Free, volunteer-run site with county-level genealogy resources, including transcriptions and local histories.
  • Use Case: Locating local histories or obscure family records.

• Fold3.com

  • Features: Subscription site specializing in military records, including pensions, draft cards, and service records.
  • Use Case: Tracing military ancestors and uncovering their service history.

• EllisIsland.org

  • Features: Free site for passenger lists of immigrants arriving in the U.S. (1892-1954).
  • Use Case: Tracking ancestors' immigration details through Ellis Island.

---

6. Advanced Online Tools

Boosting efficiency and accuracy in online research:

• Google Advanced Search

  • Features: Using operators like quotation marks, "site:", and "filetype:" to locate records on the web.
  • Use Case: Finding obscure records or books not indexed on genealogy websites.

• Internet Archive (archive.org)

  • Features: Free access to digitized books, newspapers, and other documents.
  • Use Case: Reviewing genealogy books, old directories, and historical records.

• DNA Testing Sites with Genealogical Tools

  • Features: AncestryDNA, 23andMe, and MyHeritage DNA integrate results into family tree research.
  • Use Case: Leveraging DNA matches to break through brick walls and validate records.

---

Homework for Class 3

1. Sign Up for Accounts

   • Create free accounts on FamilySearch and Find A Grave.
   • Explore trial accounts on Ancestry or MyHeritage (if not already subscribed).

2. Conduct an Online Search

   • Choose one ancestor to research and find at least one record online using a major genealogy website.
   • Save the record and record the citation in your research log.

3. Explore Collaborative Tools

   • Join WikiTree or Geni and contribute at least one ancestor to a shared tree.

4. Newspapers Challenge

   • Search for a relative in a newspaper database and locate one article or obituary.

Would you like further suggestions for demonstrating these tools live or assigning group activities?

3)  The other AI tools provided shorter and similar responses.  Only Perplexity provided useful website links for the first prompt, including:

• https://education.myheritage.com/courses/genealogy-for-beginners/
• https://guides.loc.gov/genealogy-research-online-resources/digital-primary-sources
• https://www.ed2go.com/courses/health-and-fitness/wellness/ilc/genealogy-basics
• https://www.ngsgenealogy.org/ags/basics/
• https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Genealogy_Research_Forms
• https://www.futurelearn.com/info/courses/genealogy/0/steps/13060
• https://www.universalclass.com/i/course/genealogy-how-to.htm
• https://www.hgsic.org/post/unraveling-your-family-history-a-guide-to-genealogical-research
• https://getting2theroots.com/tools-for-creating-a-family-tree/
• https://researchguides.huntington.org/familyhistories

I almost always find resources from the Perplexity response that I didn't know about before.

4)  Is this information complete and accurate?  We always have to confirm information that has been summarized, analyzed and presented by the AI Tools, and they may not be complete or accurate.  

This information looks interesting, useful and helpful, especially the basic outline and topics to cover.  But it is incomplete since the request is very general.  I didn't request specific websites in the first prompt, and it only gave me three.  I added some in the second prompt, and it added some I did not list, but it did not include some that are fairly obvious to me.  

There are many other online and paper-based resources and record types that are not addressed in the responses.  I would add the FamilySearch Family Tree for the collaborative tree aspect.  

I like how ChatGPT4 organizes these responses in a step-by-step, outline and bullet point discussion format.  I like the ideas of Classes 7 and 8 to tie it all together, and to think about the next steps.  

I put together a similar "Beginning Genealogy" course (4 classes, 8 hours) back in about 2009 (but without DNA and AI) and covered almost all of the basic outline topics above (in the first response).

A Chatter could ask the AI Tools for more detailed information for each of the recommended class sections like I did for the second prompt about Class 3.

5)  What other topics does the ChatGPT4 response not cover?  I can think of subjects like the variety of record types; the Genealogy Proof Standard; creating source citations; the veracity of online family trees; continuing genealogy education; county, state, regional and national archives; writing and publishing; and more.  Some of those are embedded in the short descriptions.

We all have learned and know that Genealogy Education is a lifelong learning experience.  

==============================================

See all of my Artificial Intelligence-related posts at https://www.geneamusings.com/p/artificial-intelligence-posts.html

Copyright (c) 2024, Randall J. Seaver

The URL for this post is:  https://www.geneamusings.com/2024/12/ask-ai-please-create-multi-class.html

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Ask AI: "What Information Would You Provide To Novice Genealogists To Help Build Their Family Tree?"

 I'm training myself to ask questions about my genealogy and family history research of the available Artificial Intelligence tools.  This is hard to do for an experienced male aerospace engineer!  But it is instructive!

1)  Today, my prompt was:  "You are a professional genealogist asked to provide genealogy and family history information to novice genealogists in a talk titled "Building Your Family Tree." What advice would you provide?" 

image created by Microsoft Designer

I asked this question to the free AI tools on OpenAI's ChatGPT, Anthropic's Claude, Microsoft's CoPilot, Google's Gemini, and Perplexity.

2)  In my opinion, by far the best and most complete answer I received was from OpenAI's ChatGPT:

In the talk "Building Your Family Tree" I would provide practical, easy-to-follow advice to help novice genealogists start their family history journey. Here’s a structured approach:

1. Start with What You Know

    • Begin with Yourself: Write down your own information—birth date, place, marriage details—and work backwards.

    • Interview Relatives: Talk to parents, grandparents, and extended family members. Ask for names, birth and death dates, marriage dates, and places. Stories, memories, and family traditions can provide valuable clues.

    • Look at Home Sources: Check for family Bibles, scrapbooks, photo albums, birth certificates, and letters. These documents might have key information about your family’s past.

2. Organize and Document Your Findings

    • Use a Pedigree Chart: Start with a simple pedigree chart to document your direct ancestors (parents, grandparents, etc.). Fill in birth, marriage, and death information as you find it.

    • Family Group Sheets: Record details about each nuclear family. This helps track siblings, marriages, and children in each generation.

    • Keep Notes: Write down where you found your information (census, family interviews, etc.) and make sure to note sources for each piece of data.

3. Explore Online Genealogy Resources

    • Start with Free Sites: Use FamilySearch.org for free access to millions of records. It’s a great starting point.

    • Subscription Sites: As you get deeper into research, consider Ancestry.com, MyHeritage, or FindMyPast, which offer vast collections of documents, family trees, and DNA connections.

    • Census Records: These are a treasure trove, providing information about where your ancestors lived, their age, occupation, and family members.

4. Use Vital Records

    • Birth, Marriage, and Death Certificates: These documents can provide names of parents, places of birth, and other crucial details. Contact state or county vital records offices for copies.

    • Church Records: Baptisms, marriages, and burials may be recorded by local churches, especially for earlier generations when civil registration wasn’t common.

5. Follow a Surname or Location Strategy

    • Surname Research: Focus on one surname at a time. This can help keep you from getting overwhelmed.

    • Location-Based Research: Investigate the town, county, or country your ancestors lived in. Learn about the history of the area, its migration patterns, and where records might be held (such as local archives or libraries).

6. Evaluate and Analyze Your Sources

    • Cite Your Sources: Always record where each piece of information comes from, whether it’s a family member’s memory or an official document.

    • Assess Credibility: Not all sources are created equal. Compare multiple records to confirm details and identify inconsistencies.

7. Collaborate with Others

    • Join a Genealogy Society: Many local societies offer resources and guidance specific to the region you are researching. They often host workshops, provide access to exclusive databases, and foster connections with other researchers.

    • Use Online Forums and Groups: Platforms like Facebook, Reddit, or genealogy forums are excellent for finding advice and connecting with distant relatives who may have valuable information.

8. Explore DNA Testing (Optional)

    • DNA Tests: DNA testing can offer clues about your family origins and connections to distant relatives. It’s helpful for breaking through “brick walls” or discovering unknown relatives.

    • Use Caution: While DNA is a powerful tool, it should be used in combination with traditional records. Unexpected results may come up, so approach this step thoughtfully.

9. Stay Patient and Persistent

    • Genealogy is a marathon, not a sprint. Be prepared for obstacles like missing records or conflicting information. Take breaks and keep returning with a fresh perspective.

10. Preserve and Share Your Research

    • Create a Family Tree Online: Consider creating a digital family tree to share with relatives. Many websites make it easy to build and update your tree as new information comes in.

    • Write Your Family’s Story: Once you have gathered enough information, consider writing a narrative of your family’s history to pass down to future generations.

Final Thoughts

Remember, building your family tree is like detective work. Each new discovery is a clue that can lead to more, and every family tree is unique. Enjoy the journey of uncovering your family’s story!

3)  It is obvious to me that all of the AI tools, but especially ChatGPT, have been pre-trained by published genealogy books and sometimes websites on how to answer the question.  

For almost every question, it takes ChatGPT (and the other tools) just seconds to formulate a response and list them on the website.  It takes me longer to read, copy and paste the responses into a document and blog post than it does for the AI tool to formulate the response!

4)  What did ChatGPT miss?  My thought after I read this was: As the research gets more complex (say, further back in time than great-grandparents), and the family tree grows larger, use a desktop family tree genealogy program to organize your research, notes, sources, media and conclusions, including a research log, to-do list, and genealogy narrative reports.  While the text suggested creating an online family tree, it is best to manage your genealogy work in a program you control, and can back up frequently.  

I have several followup questions that deserve their own blog post!

What should be emphasized more?  Does the subscription ChatGPT Omni provide more or better suggestions?  What other questions should I ask? 

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Copyright (c) 2024, Randall J. Seaver

The URL for this post is: https://www.geneamusings.com/2024/09/ask-ai-what-information-would-you.html

 

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Family Tree Magazine has a New Genealogy Book: "Beginner's Guide to Genealogy"

 I received an email today highlighting a new book from Family Tree Magazine titled Beginner's Guide to Genealogy: How to Get Started With Your Family Research.  

The price is $39.97.

The book description is:

Start your family history research! This easy-to-understand guide will help you find your ancestors efficiently and with confidence. Inside, you'll find expert advice on the basics of genealogy, with tutorials for building a family tree, finding and understanding key genealogy records, and organizing your files and research, plus a roundup of can't-miss beginner-friendly genealogy websites. 

You’ll love the Beginner's Guide to Genealogy Book if…

• You're new to family history research and don't know where to start
• You want to get a family member or friend interested in genealogy
• You'd love to go "back to the basics" and revisit work you've already done
• You're interested in 104 pages of family history research advice

Here are some tips you’ll find in the Beginner's Guide to Genealogy Book:

• Move backward in time. Start with the most recent members of your family (you and your parents), then carefully document each generation as you go backward in time. This will keep you from making rash jumps—you don't want to end up researching the wrong ancestors!

• Talk to your relatives. Ask any living relatives about their memories. Don't ask just about facts and dates—get the stories of their growing up and of the ancestors they remember. Try to phrase questions with "why," "how," and "what."

• Always check your sources. Verify any information you find in family trees created by other people using records and documents. Apply this same mentality to "hints" generated by sites like Ancestry.com and FamilySearch, which can be helpful but are not foolproof.

Contents of the Beginner's Guide to Genealogy Book:

Part 1: Jump-Starting Your Research

• 10 Steps to Start Building Your Family Tree
• Counting Cousins: How to Calculate Cousinhood
• Busted!: 10 Genealogy Myths Debunked
• The Roaring Twenties: 20 Timeless Genealogy Tips

Part 2: Tech Tools

• 25 Best Genealogy Websites for Beginners
• Should You Take the Hint?: Evaluating Hints in Online Family Trees
• Walk of Fame: The 101 Best Genealogy Websites

Part 3: Genealogy Records 101

• Counting Up: Practical Tips for Searching Censuses
• First Generation: 3 Basic Immigration Records
• Source Spotlight: Birth Records
• Source Spotlight: Marriage Records
• Source Spotlight: Death Records

Part 4: Organizing Your Research

• Work It Out: 7 Genealogy Worksheets
• Ties That Bind: How to Create a Family History Binder
• Showing Your Work: Genealogy Source Citation Basics
• Your-Digital-Files.jpg: How to Manage and Label Digital Files

The Beginner's Guide to Genealogy Book has 104 pages.  Buy it at   https://store.familytreemagazine.com/beginners-guide-genealogy-book/

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Disclosure:  I am a long-time subscriber to Family Tree Magazine, provbably since about 2000.  I have received no considerations for writing this blog post.

The URL for this post is:  https://www.geneamusings.com/2024/04/family-tree-magazine-has-new-book.html

Copyright (c) 2024, Randall J. Seaver

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MyHeritage Announces New Free Online "Introduction to Genealogy" Course

 I received this from Daniel Horowitz of MyHeritage today:

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I’m so excited to tell you that MyHeritage has just launched our first-ever full-length online course: Introduction to Genealogy, hosted by yours truly :)

The course is a natural extension of what we’ve been building with the MyHeritage Knowledge Base: a free, comprehensive educational resource on genealogy. The course contains detailed lessons from a top-notch panel of experts providing a strong foundation in family history research. It’s intended for people who are new to genealogy or who started in the past and are looking to pick it up again.



The Introduction to Genealogy course is hosted on the Knowledge Base, and like everything else there, it’s free to all. Simply register to gain access to all the course materials and to track your progress as you move through the course.

The course focuses on 3 main areas:

• Family trees
• Historical records and research
• DNA testing for genealogy

Each section is divided into chapters and lessons that cover a wide range of topics, tools, and strategies for conducting family history research. The 40 lessons sometimes include short assignments and additional materials to help you practice and absorb what you’ve learned. You’ll also find quizzes to test your knowledge at various points along the way. You’ll be able to move at your own pace and track your progress as you go.

I invite you to check it out and share it far and wide. It’s the perfect way to introduce all the budding genealogists you know to the world of family history! You can read our blog post announcement here.

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Disclosure:  I receive a complimentary subscription to MyHeritage, and have received other material consideration in past years.  I uploaded my autosomal DNA raw data to their DNA product.  This does not affect my objective analysis of MyHeritage products.

The URL for this post is:  https://www.geneamusings.com/2022/01/myheritage-announces-new-free-online.html

Copyright (c) 2022, Randall J. Seaver

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Book Review: "Practical Genealogy" by Brian Sheffey -- and a Giveaway Contest!

Brian Sheffey has written a new genealogy methodology book, titled Practical Genealogy: 50 Simple Steps to Research Your Diverse Family History.  It will be released on 12 May 2020.  The book is available to pre-order on Amazon for $16.99 in paperback (179 pages), and is published by Callisto Media.

Brian Sheffey and Donya Williams are genealogists, and write the GenealogyAdventures.net website and the Genealogy Adventures Live YouTube channel.  

The publicity for this book says:

Uncover facts and mysteries of your ancestors―a clear approach to genealogy.

The pursuit of family history tends to be shaped by several motives, including finding a larger familial historical picture, preserving the past for future generations, and storytelling. Practical Genealogy provides a method for investigating your family history by establishing an understanding of genealogy and the factors, tasks, and obstacles involved in the research. The end goal: find the information necessary to piece together your heritage.

Follow 50 steps that will fill in the puzzle of your lineage. Learn how to perform your own investigation through the lens of real-world obstacles like tracing ancestry through adoptions and orphanages. Practical Genealogy simplifies and breaks down the complex research process into actionable tips that can be conducted over a period of time. And most importantly, no blood test is necessary.

Inside Practical Genealogy you’ll find:

• Break through barriers―Learn how to negotiate common "brick wall" issues like missing chunks of family history or multiple names found for the same person.

• Case studies―Examples of actual genealogy research are provided to support the comprehension of each step of your exploration.

• See the BIG picture―Large fonts and easy-to-read images make learning easy for older adults.

When you take genealogy research into your own hands, your potential for discovery is limitless.

This book is an overview that breaks down the complex genealogical research process into a series of overlapping steps.  It assumes that the reader has little or no experience in researching their genealogy and family history, and provides a wealth of material for the reader to learn, practice and absorb as they start their lifelong journey into learning their family history.  There is more of an emphasis on African-American and Native-American research and resources than in most general "how-to" genealogy books.  

Practical Genealogy is not a voluminous "how-to" book listing every possible resource or methodology used in the genealogy world today.  It is an introductory book, which describes 50 overlapping steps that carry the reader from wanting to learn about their ancestral families and heritage to writing their family's story through the generations.  The steps are relatively short (typically two to five pages) and are in a logical sequence -- setting goals, staying organized, using research outlines and logs, hearing family stories, finding family photos, creating timelines, exploring databases, using published sources, finding genealogy records to document ancestral families, citing sources, exploring local history, understanding migration routes, doing both online and repository research, writing family stories, reflecting on the journey, and much more.  Some of the steps include an image of a pertinent record and discuss how to apply it in the family stories.

There are two appendices (an example family story and source citation examples), a glossary, a resource list, a reference list, and an index in the back of the book.

All-in-all, this is an excellent book for the bookshelf of a beginning genealogist and a public library.  It does not overwhelm the reader, but serves as an introduction to the wonderful and fascinating world of genealogy, family history, heritage, and family stories.

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Brian Sheffey and Callisto Media have offered Genea-Musings readers  the opportunity to win a free copy of this book through a contest here.

To enter the contest, please do the following:

1)  Send me an email at randy.seaver@gmail.com with the title "Practical Genealogy" and tell me why you would like a copy of this book.  I also need your postal mailing address in case you win.

2)  Entries must be received by Friday, 1 May 2020 at 11:59 p.m. PDT to be eligible to win.

3)  I will do a random drawing selection of one entry on Saturday, 2 May 2020, and will alert the winner by email, and Callisto Media of the winner's mailing address on or about that date.

4)  This contest is open to U.S. residents ages 18 and up only.  No purchase is necessary. The estimated retail value is $16.99.  

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Copyright (c) 2020, Randall J. Seaver

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Dear Randy - Newbies Need to Be Warned!

Genea-Musings reader Sherry emailed me over the weekend, saying:

"DNA has been instrumental in discovering new relatives who are NOT family researchers. Newbies need to be warned about the dangers of importing trees that may contain errors.  

"One of my new family members has created a tree - fine - but has assumed that all Ancestry trees are accurate and he has imported a line based on some of our family names that includes Mary Todd Lincoln and other ancestors going back to Scottish nobility. ('I’ll bet you didn’t know we’re descended from famous Scottish Nobility.') His 'un-sourced research' is based on gleanings from Ancestry trees and Wikipedia. He wrote...'Most of the time I just wait for it to tell me there’s a Potential Parent, compare the names and dates and accept their recommendations if it all matches perfectly.'  EEEEEEeeeeekkkk!  

"When attempting to explain that everything needs proper sources - using GPS or, at least, something akin to that  - this is the answer I get: 'Seriously though, am I wrong to trust the Ancestry database?' 

I don't hear from him much any more and he is perpetuating the rumors throughout the family. Giving him the benefit of a doubt...he may have made some important discoveries, however I see no 'proof' - am I wrong? 

"I know there have been articles/blogs/webinars addressing this - will you point me to some?"

My response was:

I feel your pain and agony and frustration!  I see it every week at my local genealogical society meetings and online.

1)  Here are three articles I've written about "Potential Ancestors" on Ancestry Member Trees:

*  How Accurate Is an Ancestry Quick and Dirty Tree? (posted 5 November 2018).  In the Quick and Dirty Tree post, I found that five of my 64 ancestors (back through 4th great-grands on my father's side) were wrong just using Potential Ancestors suggested by Ancestry.  That does not give me confidence that they should be used without doing a lot of research - they should only be used as clues for research.

*  Ancestry.com Suggests "Potential Ancestors" For your Ancestry Member Tree (posted 19 June 2018)  I did find that two of the many Potential Ancestors suggested by Ancestry were correct.  Others may be correct, but I have seen no conclusive evidence for many of the suggested potential ancestors in my Ancestor Member Tree.  A 5% to 10% error rate in "Potential Ancestors" seems to be the norm, not the exception.  Is that "good enough?"  I don't think so. 

*  A Reader's Take on Ancestry.com Problems - Part IV: The Ancestry Big Tree (posted 13 February 2019).   That post explains how we know that there is a BIG Ancestry Tree and what is in it.  That BIG Ancestry Tree is used for the Potential Ancestors in Ancestry Member Trees, for the ThruLines DNA common ancestor feature, and for the We're Related mobile app, plus for a Google search for a person profile.  Again, a 5% to 10% error rate appears to be the norm, not the exception.

2)  Other writers and bloggers may have written about these topics; I don't keep a bibliography of things like that.  You might do a Google search with suitable search terms.   Or you might look through my Best of the Genea-Blogs weekly posts because I tend to pick blog posts about these topics.

3)  Every newbie will benefit from reading "how to" books like the Val Greenwood classic, The Researcher's Guide to American Genealogy. 4th Edition.  There are many more genealogy books (for beginner, intermediate, advanced and professional researchers) available at public libraries (city, county, region, state, etc.).  

4)  Every newbie will benefit from taking a beginner's course in genealogy - many local, state and regional genealogical societies have classes every year.  Have your cousin look for a nearby genealogical society.

5)  There are quite a few "Beginner" videos online in the FamilySearch Learning Center.  You can search subjects like "beginner" or "sources" or "census" or "England" or or "church records," etc.  You might recommend the video  "If I'd Only Known - Beginner Genealogy Mistakes."

There are many more videos online on YouTube - just search for "genealogy."  The big companies (Ancestry, MyHeritage and Findmypast) have "Help" sections on their websites to provide education and information.

6)  Doing genealogy research online seems so simple at the beginning - just point, click and add ancestors to your tree and attach records that seem to pertain to those ancestors also.  What is lost in this age is the experience of:

*  Discovering new records in a repository (in books, periodicals, microfilm, digital microfilm), 

*  Obtaining vital record certificates at the county clerk's office, 

*  Finding and corresponding with other researchers, 

*  Learning local, state and national history, 

*  Learning and sharing of experiences in a group of researchers at a repository or in a genealogical society.  

*  Making basic research mistakes and learning from them.  

7)  All of that contributes to the knowledge base of each person.  I've seen it said that it takes about 10,000 hours of study and experience to be competent in any subject, and I think that's true of genealogy and family history.

8)  I know that many Genea-Musings readers have suggestions for books, periodicals, and websites that they can recommend for a "newbie genealogist" - please share them in Comments to this post.

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Copyright (c) 2019, Randall J. Seaver

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