Lies spread quickly, without regard for accuracy.
If you’ve spent time reviewing online research you’re already well aware of this reality. Some researchers wander into online family trees, eagerly clipping whole branches from others’ work without bothering to evaluate where the information comes from.
Others make claims in family tree profiles, citing unreliable sources (if they cite any sources) or making unreasonable leaps in logic to support an existing research theory or connect them to famous ancestors.
The internet has given us unprecedented access to records and other resources. Genealogy databases boast millions and millions of names in their family trees, some of which might fit neatly into the one you’re currently building. However, the internet has also opened the floodgates for bad or careless research.
Confirm the profile is a reasonable match - look at all names, ages, birth and death dates, and places the match lived.
Do not automatically add information to your family tree. Yes, it is fun to "discover" something new about your ancestor, but is that little iota of news you "discovered" fact or fiction?
Look for citations! ! ! This cannot be stressed enough! If a tree has no source citations, then I would not use the information in my family tree.
Decide what you will add to your tree. Only add what you are confident is factual information with the sources to back it up.
If you have information not in the family tree you are looking at, suggest edits to the tree's creator.
ALWAYS, always, always verify work before you add it to your tree. Print out copies, or save a copy to your work tree and prove all the information yourself. Even if a source is cited, I still look for that verification. #laureljonescountylibrary #genealogy #jonescountymsgenealogy #hometowngenealogy #research #heritage #familytree