So, you’ve decided to dive into the fascinating world of genealogy and find your ancestors. Whether you want to connect with your roots, uncover family stories, or simply satisfy your curiosity, this journey can be both rewarding and challenging.
As a professional genealogist with years of experience, I’ve seen many people stumble upon common pitfalls derailing their research efforts. In this article, I’ll guide you through some of these mistakes and offer practical advice to help you navigate your genealogy research like a pro.
The word “costly” means different things to different people. Perhaps it’s costly in terms of time. You’ve made assumptions that caused you to add people to your tree who weren’t YOUR ancestors. In essence, you’ve been climbing someone else’s family tree.
Perhaps it’s costly in money. You’ve bought courses or books that you either don’t understand or don’t use.
Or perhaps you’ve discovered the cost of both.
Whatever the reason, avoiding these common pitfalls will help you find your ancestors in a way that will make you feel good about the process.
Overambitious Start
One of the most common mistakes people make when starting their ancestry journey is biting off more than they can chew. Trust me; I’ve been there. It’s easy to get carried away with the excitement of uncovering your family history without a plan. However, this can quickly lead to overwhelm and frustration.
Recommendation: Start small. Begin with what you know – your immediate family and their stories. Take the time to document and verify this information before expanding your research to earlier generations.
To read more about this topic, check out my blog post, Where To Start In Your Genealogy Research
Neglecting Documentation
It’s tempting to rely solely on online family trees or the memories of relatives but trust me when I say this: without proper documentation, your research is built on shaky ground. Like you, in my early days of researching, I had to backtrack and verify sources for many branches of my family tree.
Importance of Record-Keeping: Make it a habit to record your sources consistently and accurately. Whether it’s a birth certificate, census record, or a family story passed down through generations, keep notes and stay organized. Your future self will thank you.
Organization can be a key point. Read more about that here.
Skipping Generations
Skipping generations in your research can be like trying to assemble a puzzle without all the pieces – frustrating and ultimately unsuccessful. It’s important to document and prove the parent/child link for each generation before moving on to the next.
One Step at a Time: Take it slow and steady. Focus on one generation at a time, thoroughly researching each individual before moving on to the next. It may take longer, but you’ll build a more accurate and comprehensive family tree in the process.
My blog post, Why It’s Important To Prove Parentage In Genealogy Research, will help guide you through this step.
Ignoring Conflicting Evidence
Genealogy is not always a straight line…there are plenty of stops and starts, twists and turns, and sometimes the evidence can be downright confusing.
Do you have a birth certificate and a marriage license where the birth dates are not the same? Do you have 5 documents that list the father, but none of them list the mother? All of this has to be worked out before you can move on.
Verification is Key: Don’t ignore conflicting evidence; embrace it. Verify information from multiple sources and cross-reference different records to fix discrepancies. It’s the only way to make sure your research is accurate.
In my blog post on How To Write A Professional-Looking Genealogy Research Report, I highlight what it took to find the mother of my 2x great-grandmother, Susanna Krewson. I had to use information from many sources to come to a conclusion.
Neglecting DNA Testing
In today’s digital age, DNA testing has become an increasingly popular tool for genealogists. Yet, many people overlook its potential or feel intimidated by the process. I have taken many webinars and courses on DNA and feel that with every class I’m ready to use DNA in my research. It has opened up new doors for me, as I’m sure it will for you.
Unlocking Hidden Connections: Consider exploring DNA testing as part of your research. It can help you break through brick walls, discover unknown relatives, and uncover unexpected ethnic origins. Plus, you may connect with family you never knew you had.
If you’re just beginning to use DNA to find your ancestors, check out my blog post on How To Make Sense Of Your DNA Matches.
Disregarding Ethnic, Cultural and Historical Context
Understanding the ethnic, cultural, and historical context of your ancestors is important for meaningful research. Your ancestors didn’t live in a vacuum and you shouldn’t research like they did. They lived through war, economic hardships, droughts, etc. and knowing their circumstances will help you learn more about them.
Context Matters: Take the time to familiarize yourself with the time and place in which your ancestors lived. It will provide invaluable insights into their lives and decisions.
A locality guide would be a great addition to your research. Read more about how it can help you and what to put in this document in my blog post, How To Use A Locality Guide In Your Genealogy Research.
Failing to Seek Professional Help
There’s a common misconception that hiring a professional genealogist to find your ancestors is only for the wealthy or those with complex research challenges. However, seeking professional help can save you time, frustration, and even money in the long run.
Depending on what/who you want to research, the hunt to find your ancestors can be easy and relatively inexpensive. You can hire someone to help you break through that brick-wall ancestor and then do the rest yourself. Or you can have someone look at your plan to see if you are on the right track.
When to Consider Professional Help: If you find yourself stuck on a tricky research problem or simply feeling overwhelmed by your family history, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional genealogist.
I’m taking clients right now and would love to talk to you about your project. Click here to make an appointment.
Finally
Researching your ancestors is enriching and fulfilling, but it’s not without its challenges. By avoiding common pitfalls and approaching your research with patience, diligence, and a healthy dose of curiosity, you can find the hidden stories of your past and connect with your roots in ways you never thought possible.
Remember, genealogy is as much about the journey as it is about the destination. Embrace the twists and turns, celebrate the discoveries, and don’t be afraid to ask for help along the way. Your ancestors are waiting to share their stories – all you have to do is listen.
Happy researching!
Genealogy tip: We all make mistakes, especially when we are new to genealogy. To find your ancestors, you need to take an approach that is slow and planned. This may be frustrating in the beginning, but it’s absolutely the best way.
If you do need a professional to find your ancestors, I’m taking new clients now. Click below for a free 30-minute consultation and tell me all about your project.
