Seeds of Wisdom.....

If I could advise ANYONE researching their family, I would STRESS: "Sources, Sources and SOURCES!!!!

I don't mean to come off as "preachy." I'm only saying this from my own mistakes and blunders!

When I first started working on my web tree, I would find online trees to associate with mine. I would be so estatic that I would write down all the tree information and forget where it came from!

This is BAD on BOTH sides of the fence!!!!

If it came from a reliable source:

1. You are "stealing" all the hard work that person put into it! Once you have put enough effort into your own projects, you WILL appreciate this!!!

2. Give credit and resources as much as possible! If you don't think this is important, then you WILL end up with a tree based on half-truths and rumors! When you encounter someone who challenges your information (and you will!) you can back it up with some form of proof.

If your source is less than reliable/ questionable, then you can try to judge the better source. You WILL be mislead! The more popular surnames are so wrapped up in family rumors that mistakes are made (and copied again and again and again.... ) And SOME issues may NEVER be resolved (presently I'm dealing with one case of questionable paternity and another question of a wife's maiden name.

Some people write their trees by the book. If their information isn't back by good records, they don't add it.

I go by the middle road. I (Now) try to get good documented sources. If I run into a conflict of information, I try to document BOTH versions. If there are no documented sources, I write down family "rumors." There is normally a bit of truth behind those stories. My thought is: I'll assume it's right until I see proof otherwise. This is where your sources are VERY important.

I can't tell you how many times I've been confronted with other information, and when asked where MY information came from, I've been VERY embarrassed to admit that I'd forgotten my source!!!

I don't have a problem with sharing my information, BUT, it's always nice to be asked! AND...I want to be sure that others know where the info came from so they can be updated. My information is being adjusted constantly.

Oh, and don't run with scissors! Either way, I think you'd get the point!!!
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