6 Common Mistakes New Genealogists Make and How to Avoid Them

Starting your genealogy journey can be thrilling, but new (and experienced) genealogists often trip up on common mistakes that waste time and effort. This post breaks down these errors and shows you how to dodge them, ensuring your family history search is spot-on from the start.

1. Jumping to Conclusions: The Genealogy Rookie Mistake

Ever been so excited to find a record that you immediately added it to your tree?

Big mistake.

Here’s the deal: Just because you found a “John Smith” doesn’t mean it’s your John Smith.

Genealogy isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon. Take your time to verify details like birth dates, locations, and family connections.

Pro tip: Create a checklist of criteria that must be met before adding anyone to your tree.

Remember, assumptions are the termites of family history research. They’ll eat away at the integrity of your work faster than you can say “great-great-grandpa.”

2. Taking Everything at Face Value: The Gullible Genealogist Syndrome

Found a family tree online that seems to solve all your mysteries?

Not so fast.

The internet is a treasure trove of information, but it’s also a minefield of misinformation.

Treat every piece of data like a suspect in a crime novel. Interrogate it. Cross-examine it. Make it prove its innocence.

Don’t trust family stories blindly either. Aunt Mabel’s tale of royal ancestry might be more fiction than fact.

Verify, verify, verify – it’s not just a mantra, it’s your new way of life.

3. Neglecting to Document Sources: The “Trust Me, Bro” Approach

Picture this: You’ve made an amazing discovery about your great-grandfather. Fast forward six months, and you can’t remember where you found that information.

Nightmare, right?

Undocumented sources are like invisible ink – utterly useless when you need them most.

Every. Single. Piece. Of. Information. Needs. A. Source. Period.

Future you will thank present you for being meticulous about documentation.

Pro tip: Develop a standardized format for citing sources. Consistency is key.

No source? No credibility. It’s that simple.

4. Ignoring Siblings and Extended Family: The Tunnel Vision Trap

Your ancestors didn’t live in a vacuum. They had siblings, cousins, neighbors, and friends.

Focusing solely on direct ancestors is like reading every other chapter of a book. You’ll miss crucial parts of the story.

Siblings’ records can provide clues about parents’ names, origins, and even unlock family secrets.

Cast a wide net in your research. You never know where the big fish might be hiding.

Remember: Every person in your family tree is a potential key to unlocking new information.

5. Relying on Others’ Research: The Copy-Paste Peril

Found a well-researched family tree online? Great! Tempted to copy it wholesale?

Not so great.

Other people’s family trees are like free advice – take it with a hefty grain of salt.

Use others’ research as a starting point, not an endpoint.

Verify every single connection before adding it to your own tree.

Be a researcher, not a copy-cat. Your family history deserves original investigation.

6. Failing to Read the Entire Record: The Lazy Genealogist’s Downfall

Ever skimmed through a document and missed a crucial detail?

You’re not alone, but it’s a habit you need to break.

Every line on a record is a potential goldmine of information.

Census records, birth certificates, wills – read them from top to bottom, front to back.

Don’t be the person who misses crucial details because they didn’t flip the page.

Pro tip: Transcribe important documents word for word. You’ll be amazed at what you might discover.

Thoroughness separates the amateurs from the pros. Which do you want to be?

The Bottom Line:

Genealogy is a journey, not a destination. It requires patience, persistence, and a healthy dose of skepticism.

Avoid these common mistakes, and you’ll be well on your way to building a rock-solid family tree.

Remember, in genealogy, slow and steady wins the race. Take your time, do it right, and watch your family history unfold before your eyes.

Now go forth and uncover your family’s history – the right way. Your ancestors are counting on you!