Don’t be a Copycat!

That was good advice to school children taking tests or writing papers. It’s even better advice to anyone compiling their family tree.

I get it; you are searching for an elusive ancestor when you come across a tree or history that someone else has submitted. And right there is your ancestor, complete with spouse, children, dates, places, and maybe a picture or two. All you have to do to put an end to your frustration is copy and paste.

Before you enter someone else’s data into your records, carefully consider what you are doing.  There are several factors that call for extreme caution about genealogy information posted on the internet:

•           The internet has no truth filter, that is, anyone can put anything on it without the burden of accuracy. There is no guarantee that any of the data you found is correct.

•           Those posting information range from experts sharing their knowledge to novices repeating family hearsay. Though no one is purposely trying to deceive you, still you do not know how accurate their “information” is.

•           Multiple people have the same data, so it must be true, right? Wrong! You may notice that multiple family trees have the exact same information, sources, and spellings. That is a huge indication that they are all copies of one post. One error repeated in numerous family trees is still an error. 

•           Likewise, multiple sites have the same data, making it appear legitimate. The problem with this is that when an item is posted on one site, it is immediately picked up by others. For instance, I posted information on FamilySearch and I was instantly alerted that MyHeritage had new information on my ancestor. When I clicked on it, I found the exact information I had just added on FamilySearch.

•           Finding accurate information on your ancestors can be difficult. Some people who post their conclusions as fact may not have the experience to tell how accurate it really is. Census records are notoriously inaccurate yet sometimes they are the only source used to build a family tree.

I’m from Missouri, the “Show Me State,” meaning I don’t believe anything unless I see it for myself. That’s a good rule to follow when it comes to your genealogy information. The great news is that information others put online is still valuable. It just must be used carefully. Consider the data as clues to investigate your family’s past. If material is presented that you think is accurate, check it out for yourself. In other words, show me the proof. 

Look at the sources that are provided. You can determine the accuracy of the information and also if it is indeed about your ancestor. If no sources are given, at least you have a possible lead and can research it yourself. There may be contact information which will allow you to ask the submitter where their information came from.

There is one more consideration about copying information and possibly the most important. Since you are going to all the effort of gathering your ancestors’ information, you want it as complete and accurate as possible. Your work carries your endorsement. What you compile may be seen by others. It may even be copied by others. It’s all the more reason not to be a copycat.