Start Your Genealogy Research Right - Avoid These Common Mistakes!

Genealogy with Amy Johnson Crow

4 Jan 202210:29

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script discusses common mistakes made by family historians, regardless of their experience level. It emphasizes the importance of not accepting family stories or online genealogy records at face value, as they may be inaccurate. The speaker advises to approach research with caution, not to rush the process, and to thoroughly examine records before incorporating them into one's family tree. They also highlight the need to explore various resources, including talking to relatives and examining family papers like obituaries and photos, which can provide valuable clues. The script warns against skipping steps in research and falling into a rut by relying on the same resources or methods. It encourages developing curiosity about the research process and different record types to enhance the genealogical journey. The speaker also reminds viewers to stay open to learning and to revisit past notes and research, which can lead to new insights and discoveries.

Takeaways

🧐 **Question Family Stories**: Be skeptical of family stories, as they may not be entirely accurate.
🔍 **Verify Online Genealogies**: Do not take online family trees at face value; they can contain errors.
🚫 **Avoid Attaching Incorrect Trees**: Be cautious not to attach someone else's incorrect family tree to yours.
🔑 **Understand Record Differences**: Recognize that different records have different strengths and weaknesses.
🚀 **Take Time with Records**: Slow down and verify that a record actually pertains to your person of interest.
🤔 **Explore Existing Information**: Don't overlook talking to relatives and examining family papers for clues.
🔄 **Revisit Old Research**: Going back over old notes and research can provide new insights and answers.
🛑 **Don't Skip Steps**: Ensure you have a solid understanding of an ancestor's life before jumping to new records or locations.
🔗 **Work from Known to Unknown**: When tracing lineage, start from what you know and work backward.
🔁 **Avoid Falling into a Rut**: Diversify your research methods and sources to avoid stagnation.
🌐 **Explore Various Record Types**: Develop curiosity about different types of records and how they can aid your research.
📚 **Continue Learning**: Stay open to learning about different records and strategies to enhance your genealogy skills.

Q & A

What is the first mistake that family historians often make?
-The first mistake is taking everything at face value, which includes believing family stories without verification and not critically evaluating information from genealogy websites or books.
Why might family stories not be entirely accurate?
-Family stories may not be accurate because as tales are passed down, they can become exaggerated or details can be altered, especially if the events are from a long time ago.
What is the difference between a family tree and a record in genealogy?
-A family tree is a compilation of individuals' family lineages, which can contain errors, while a record refers to an official document like a birth certificate or census data that provides factual information.
Why is it risky to attach someone else's online family tree directly to your own?
-Attaching someone else's tree directly can introduce errors into your own research, as their tree might have incorrect information or connections that you are not actually related to.
What is the second major mistake discussed in the script?
-The second major mistake is going too fast in research, which can lead to attaching incorrect records to one's family tree or overlooking the need to verify information.
Why is it important to not only rely on genealogy websites for family history research?
-It's important because these websites may not have complete information, and talking to relatives or examining family papers like obituaries and photos can provide valuable, unique insights and clues.
What is the advice given for avoiding the mistake of skipping steps in research?
-The advice is to work from the known to the unknown, thoroughly researching an ancestor's life in one location or time period before moving on to another, to ensure accurate identification and understanding.
What does the speaker suggest is a common issue among genealogists of all experience levels?
-Falling into a rut by repeatedly using the same resources or websites and not exploring a variety of records and search strategies that could provide different types of information.
Why is developing a sense of curiosity important in genealogy research?
-Curiosity drives a researcher to explore different types of records, understand the research process better, and make more discoveries, leading to a more comprehensive and accurate family history.
What is the speaker's recommendation for new genealogists who find certain records difficult to understand?
-The speaker recommends staying curious, taking the time to learn about these records, and using resources like About pages or Frequently Asked Questions to enhance their understanding.
How can one stay updated with the speaker's future content on genealogy?
-By subscribing to the speaker's channel to learn more about different types of records, search strategies, and ways to make more discoveries in family history.

Outlines

00:00

🧐 Common Mistakes in Genealogy Research

This paragraph discusses the common errors made by individuals researching their family history, regardless of their experience level. The speaker emphasizes the importance of not accepting family stories or genealogy website information at face value. They caution against the temptation to link online family trees without verification, which can lead to incorrect connections. The paragraph also warns against the pitfalls of conducting research too quickly, such as attaching records to one's family tree without proper scrutiny, which can result in incorporating incorrect information.

05:01

🔍 The Importance of Thorough Research and Curiosity

The second paragraph focuses on the necessity of a meticulous approach to genealogical research. It advises against rushing through the process and underscores the value of revisiting and reevaluating existing resources like family papers, which may include obituaries, photos, and yearbooks. The speaker also encourages researchers to avoid skipping steps in their investigation and to methodically work from known facts to unknown ones. They highlight the danger of falling into a rut by relying on the same resources or strategies, instead advocating for a curious and adaptable approach to research.

10:02

📚 Continuing Education and Exploration in Genealogy

The final paragraph of the script serves as a call to action for viewers to continue their genealogical journey with an open mind and a willingness to learn. The speaker invites the audience to subscribe to their channel for more insights into various record types, search strategies, and methods for discovery. They position genealogy as an exciting and ever-evolving pursuit filled with opportunities for growth and understanding.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Family Historians

Family historians are individuals who research their ancestry and family lineage. In the video, the speaker discusses common mistakes made by family historians and offers advice on how to avoid them. This term is central to the video's theme as it sets the context for the discussion on genealogical research.

💡Common Mistakes

The phrase 'common mistakes' refers to errors frequently made by individuals engaged in genealogical research. The video highlights several of these, such as accepting family stories at face value or attaching incorrect records to one's family tree. These mistakes are integral to the video's message, which aims to educate viewers on how to conduct more accurate and effective research.

💡Taking at Face Value

To 'take something at face value' means to accept it as true without further investigation. The video emphasizes the danger of this approach in genealogy, where family stories or online family trees might be inaccurate. The speaker shares a personal anecdote about a family story that turned out to be false, illustrating the importance of verifying all claims in genealogical research.

💡Genealogy Websites

Genealogy websites, such as Ancestry, MyHeritage, or FamilySearch, are online platforms that provide access to various records for family history research. The video discusses the importance of understanding the strengths and weaknesses of records on these sites. It also warns against the risk of attaching incorrect records to one's family tree, which can lead to errors in genealogical research.

💡Family Trees

A family tree is a diagram that represents family relationships. In the context of the video, the speaker advises caution when using online family trees as research tools. They can provide valuable clues but can also be incorrect, leading to the propagation of false information if not verified. The concept of family trees is central to the video's discussion on genealogical research methods.

💡Research Process

The research process in genealogy involves systematically collecting, analyzing, and verifying information about one's ancestors. The video emphasizes the importance of a thorough and patient approach to research, rather than hastily attaching records to one's family tree. The research process is portrayed as iterative and requiring a combination of curiosity and experience.

💡Curiosity

Curiosity, in the context of the video, is the desire to learn and understand more about one's ancestors and the records used in genealogy. The speaker encourages viewers to stay curious and to explore different types of records and search strategies. Curiosity is presented as a key factor in overcoming challenges and making discoveries in genealogical research.

💡Record Types

Record types refer to the various kinds of documents and databases used in genealogical research, such as census records, vital records, and probate records. The video suggests that understanding different record types is crucial for successful research. The speaker advises against relying solely on one type of record or search strategy, emphasizing the need for a diverse approach.

💡Verification

Verification is the act of checking the accuracy and authenticity of information. In genealogy, this involves confirming the details of family stories, records, and online family trees. The video stresses the importance of verification to avoid incorporating incorrect information into one's family history. The process of verification is shown as a fundamental step in the research process.

💡Ruts

In the video, 'falling into a rut' refers to the habit of repeatedly using the same resources or methods in genealogical research without exploring new ones. The speaker cautions against this behavior, as it can limit the scope of research and lead to missed opportunities for discovery. The concept of ruts is used to illustrate the need for variety and adaptability in research strategies.

💡Ancestry

Ancestry, in the context of the video, refers both to the act of researching one's family lineage and to a specific genealogy website, Ancestry.com. The video discusses the convenience of using such platforms but also warns of the potential pitfalls, such as attaching incorrect records to one's family tree. Ancestry, as a concept and a tool, is central to the video's exploration of genealogical research.

Highlights

Common mistakes are made by everyone in family history research, not just beginners.

Taking family stories at face value without verification can lead to inaccuracies.

Genealogy websites have different record strengths and weaknesses that should be understood.

Family trees on genealogy sites can be incorrect and should be used as clues, not directly attached to your own.

Attaching the wrong records to your family tree can introduce unrelated individuals.

The ease of attaching records on genealogy websites can lead to hasty and incorrect additions.

It's important to thoroughly review records before associating them with your family history.

Talking to relatives and examining family papers can provide valuable insights into family history.

Revisiting old notes and research can lead to new understandings and discoveries.

Skipping steps in research can lead to incorrect identifications in historical records.

Proving or disproving family legends requires methodical research starting from known facts.

Falling into a rut by using the same resources or search strategies can hinder discovery.

Different types of records can provide unique insights into your family history.

Curiosity about the research process and different record types is key to successful genealogy.

Learning about various records and how to apply them to your research is crucial.

Staying open to learning and exploring different types of records can enhance your genealogy journey.

The importance of patience and thoroughness in genealogy research to avoid common pitfalls.

Genealogy is a fascinating journey with much to discover; maintaining curiosity is essential.

Transcripts

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Start Your Genealogy Research Right - Avoid These Common Mistakes!

Takeaways

Q & A

What is the first mistake that family historians often make?

Why might family stories not be entirely accurate?

What is the difference between a family tree and a record in genealogy?

Why is it risky to attach someone else's online family tree directly to your own?

What is the second major mistake discussed in the script?

Why is it important to not only rely on genealogy websites for family history research?

What is the advice given for avoiding the mistake of skipping steps in research?

What does the speaker suggest is a common issue among genealogists of all experience levels?

Why is developing a sense of curiosity important in genealogy research?

What is the speaker's recommendation for new genealogists who find certain records difficult to understand?

How can one stay updated with the speaker's future content on genealogy?