Spring Cleaning

Spring Cleaning Your Family Tree

Spring is the perfect time to tidy up your genealogy research and ensure your family tree is accurate and well-organized. Whether you use an online genealogy service or keep records on your own, taking time to review your tree can prevent errors from spreading and help preserve your family history for future generations. Here are some key steps to refresh and refine your family tree this season.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

One of the biggest pitfalls in genealogy research comes from accepting auto-suggested hints without proper verification. Many genealogy sites, including Ancestry, generate hints based on the number of times a fact appears in member trees. However, with more hobbyist researchers than professional genealogists on these platforms, inaccurate information can spread quickly.

To avoid this, always cross-check hints against verified records and primary sources. This is especially important when researching common surnames or ancestors from cultures with strong naming traditions, such as German or Irish families. Ensuring accuracy now will save you time and effort down the road.

Consistent Naming Conventions and Locations

Maintaining a consistent naming format is crucial for clarity. Stick with a common spelling of a surname and note variations within an ancestor’s profile.

For researchers working with German records, remember that umlaut letters (ä, ö, ü) can be anglicized by adding an "e" (e.g., Dörrer becomes Doerrer). Choosing a standardized version and applying it consistently will help streamline your research.

Proper Citations and Source Documentation

Genealogy platforms often use member trees or community-based sites like Genenet to support facts. However, these should be viewed as leads rather than verified sources. Before adding any information to your tree, trace facts back to original records, such as birth certificates, census data, or probate records.

A general rule of thumb: If a fact wouldn't hold up in court, it shouldn’t be accepted without verification in your research.

Ancestry’s New Tree Checker Feature

Ancestry's Tree Checker tool, available through ProTools, helps identify potential errors, including:

• Duplicate individuals

• Profiles supported only by other trees

• Entries without source citations

• Unattached individuals in the tree

• Unrealistic dates (e.g., a birth before a parent’s birth or after their death)

While the tool is helpful, it cannot differentiate between legitimate name patterns (e.g., father and son sharing a name) or twins. Carefully review flagged issues before making changes to ensure your tree remains accurate and well-organized.

Merging Duplicates and Removing Erroneous Connections

Duplicate profiles can create inconsistencies and clutter your tree. When merging duplicates, be aware that conflicting data (e.g., different birth or death dates) may be added as alternative facts. Instead of auto-merging, manually compare profiles and combine only accurate details.

Additionally, ensure records are only attached to the primary individual. For example, a child's birth record should be linked to the child, not the parents. Keeping each person’s records attached only to their own profile makes it easier to navigate and verify information.

Notice that there are two German Lutheran Baptism, Marriage and Burial sources attached to Anna Liebrecht.

This record does belong to Anna Liebrecht; her baptism on 11 February 1848. This record should be attached to Anna’s profile since this is a record of an event she is the primary participant in.

This record should NOT be attached to Anna since this is a record indicating her father participating in her baptism, and he is a secondary participant in this event.

It is not recommended to attach records or sources for EVERY year of directories or residence  if the person has not changed the city in which they reside. If you would like to document each address an ancestor lived at, it is suggested to compile a list or table of their residences and upload that document for easy and efficient viewing. Having 10+ directories cited for a single person living in the same 4 block radius is redundant and overwhelming to look at.

Advanced Research Strategies

If you're stuck on a "brick wall" ancestor, consider approaching your research from a new angle:

• Look into the male siblings of female ancestors, as men were more commonly named in historical records.

• Examine witnesses or sponsors on marriage and baptism records for possible family connections.

• Check cemetery plots for clues about family relationships.

Need Help? We’re Here for You

Genealogy research can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our team specializes in:

• Breaking through research roadblocks

• Developing new strategies for difficult-to-trace ancestors

• Organizing and verifying family trees for clarity and accuracy

Contact us today to ensure your family history is as accurate and well-documented as possible! Email us at emma@backlog-archivists.com.