Genealogy Chat

I'm new to this site, is there a problem with people looking at your tree. Every time I ask someone a question that might help me I show them my tree so they can see if there is a link.IS THIS THE WRONG THING TO DO AND WHY?

Paul, what some of us old hands are griping about is that some of us have had our tree stolen - lock stock and barrel with all details after years, sometimes decades of hard work and just bunged on to someone elses tree when there is a vague link. If someone contacts you asking to see your tree first establish they have a valid link. Just ask them who they are interested, how they fit into their tree. Ive had people asking to see my tree and when Ive asked why theyve said I want to see your George Martin's details. Ive replied 'Which one, I have 7'. 'Oh, any will do, my grandad was called George Martin'. Now, that sort of person would definitely not get to see my tree. If they had replied, George Martin born Bermondsey 1871 with parents, George Thomas and mother Sophia born xxxxxx ' then yes, Id think about showing/ telling them my connection, after Id found out if they had more info. If you are just beginning in this hobby and want to find more missing links then do open your tree but stipulate to people that if they want to copy any of it to ask your permission first.

Paul, I never open my tree, I make sure that their is a connection first and then I only pass on relevant info, There are people on here that will just copy your tree and add it to their tree without checking any of the facts (something to do with mines bigger than yours) I think A small tree that is backed up with hard evidence is better than a large tree and no supporting evidence Roy

This debate comes up regularly as clockwork and there tends to be two camps. I take the view that the purpose of this site is to find connections in your tree, and, where appropriate share your information with each other. I have had my tree on here now for a few years and a quick check shows that something like 200 members have been allowed to see my tree. No one is allowed to see it unless they prove they have a connection. Of these 200 only three have added information close to my direct family. One other person, who received the information third hand was asked to remove it. No one is allowed to see it unless they prove they have a connection and I also expect them to reciprocate and let me see their tree. My view is that you should do what you feel comfortable with.

Have a look at Grannie Annies Thread, Paul. I will nudge it up for you. Regards Ann

What i find annoying is opening your tree, and giving permission for some to be taken.....even then, amazingly, facts seems to be wrongly copied !

I've had a request 4 times from an Elizabeth Freya Soffe to open my tree. She never answers my emails just leaves a couple of weeks then makes another request.

I have my tree on FTM. If someone on here asks to see my tree because of John Smith being a possible ancestor, I copy John Smiths family group from FTM and email it. If they come back to me with details, I will consider opening my tree, if they don't I have not really given them much. I would never copy other peoples trees as you don't know how accurate their searches have been! I would rather stick to my small but accurate tree thanks.

I am glad this question was asked. I appreciate the responses.I dont often ask people if i can see their tree but have many many requests to see mine. I too have often wondered whether or not to open my tree carte blanche I am plodding carefully and thoroughly as best as i am able with my tree and am grateful for lots of help and advice along the way. If and when i am given lots of names which are quite likely to be my connections also, as this site is my only form of storage of data at the mo, i insert the names but i put in my notes IGI source or named sources to be cross checked and confirmed. I do not wish to offend those who have shared their trees and have worked so hard perhaps getting back hundreds of years to doubt them but early in my research i accepted some data someone gave me without checking at the time with certificates and wasted about three months with a whole family line who was nothing to do with me! I won't do that again! For me the fun of my research is getting to 'know' my ancestors through application and research..and hard work :-) but often i either do not have the skill, experience or knowledge of sites to go to next when i hit a brick wall and then i am indebited to others for their assistance. For my ancestors pre 1837 i will continue to include others peoples research in my data with the caveat that i will endeavour to cross check the data on my twice annual research trips to the UK before i make it a definitive inclusion in my tree. This is obviously time consuming and expensive and where possible i would be happy to purchase copies of genuine data ie copies of parish records to support their research