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Updated 11/16/2024
We’re all human, and mistakes are part of the journey—especially when starting something new. Genealogy is no exception! If you’re diving into your family history, chances are you’ve made (or are about to make) a few rookie errors. Don’t worry—these are easy to fix, and I’m here to guide you through seven of the most common genealogical mistakes and how to avoid them.
1. Believing There's Only One Spelling for a Name
Names can be tricky. One family might spell their name Browne with an e, while another spells it Brown without it. Are they unrelated? Not necessarily.
Back in the day, people weren’t as particular about spelling. Clerks might mishear or miswrite names, and some ancestors couldn’t spell their names consistently. Always consider variations when researching. Need more examples? Check out my video about name variations for extra tips!
2. Relying on Exact Dates
Is your ancestor’s birthdate May 15, 1805, or May 15, 1803? Different records might say different things.
Here’s the thing: record-keepers were human too. Informants might have guessed a date or remembered it wrong. Your ancestor might not have been sure either! Don’t let slight date discrepancies derail your research. Instead, focus on additional clues in the record to confirm identity.
Check out a young genealogist discussing genealogy mistakes.
3. Jumping to Conclusions
It’s tempting to say, “This record looks about right, so it must be my ancestor!” But genealogy isn’t about snap decisions. To avoid mistakes:
Evaluate each source thoroughly.
Look for consistent details like names, locations, and relationships.
Sure, sometimes you’ll guess correctly, but taking time to evaluate prevents adding the wrong people to your family tree.
4. Blindly Trusting Online Family Trees
Ancestry and other platforms are filled with member-created trees, but not all are reliable. Some lack proper sourcing or contain outright errors.
The solution? Trust but verify.
Check each source in the tree to ensure it’s credible before incorporating it into your research. Otherwise, you might end up with a tree full of fiction instead of fact.
↪️ Are you new to genealogy?
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5. Skipping Source Citations
Picture this: months after noting a birthdate, you ask yourself, “Where did I get this information?” If you didn’t cite your source, you’re left scratching your head.
Online platforms like Ancestry and FamilySearch make it easy to attach sources. If you’re working offline, jot down where the info came from, including the document type, date, and location. Trust me, your future self will thank you.
6. Using Married Names as Maiden Names
This one’s a biggie. If you list a woman’s married name in the surname field, you’re setting yourself (and others) up for confusion.
For example: If you record Mary Johnson (her married name) instead of Mary Sue (her maiden name), you’ll have a harder time finding records about her pre-marriage life. It could also lead other researchers down the wrong path. Stick to maiden names in the surname field—it’s cleaner, clearer, and causes fewer headaches.
7. Assuming You’re Related to a Famous Person
Let’s be real: not every person who shares your last name is a long-lost cousin. Take my surname, Lee. While famous Lees exist (Harold B. Lee, Robert E. Lee, even Sara Lee Bread!), my great-great-grandfather changed our family name from Garnet. Why? Because his dad was...a bank robber. True story.
Even if you have a unique last name, like Geisler, you’ll need solid research to confirm any connection to a notable figure. Assumptions don’t hold up—facts do!
Be careful before you assume you're related to someone famous, but you can take a quick peek if you're interested.
Your Turn! What Genealogy Mistakes Have You Made?
Those are seven common genealogy mistakes and how to fix them. Did I miss one of your favorites? Share your thoughts in the comments below—I’d love to hear your stories! And who knows, maybe we’ll do a Part 2.
