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Updated 12/13/2024
Ancestry member trees are fantastic for sharing genealogy… until they're not. You know the moment. You're cruising through a distant cousin's tree when—BAM!—you spot an ancestor who supposedly descended from Thor or Priam of Troy.
Fictional characters? Seriously?
Unfortunately, mistakes (both big and small) are lurking in family trees all over Ancestry. And before you assume only others make errors, remember: Even the best researchers have goofed. I've made my own share of "oopsies," and other genealogists have graciously corrected me. The point is, mistakes happen. So what can you do when someone else's mistake muddies up your family history?
The Blood-Pressure Spike of Ancestry Mistakes
You've double-checked your research. You know your facts. Yet there it is—blatantly incorrect information sitting in someone's public tree, spreading misinformation like wildfire.
Before you let your frustration boil over, remember this: People get attached to their trees. Their mistakes are their mistakes, and not everyone is open to feedback.
So, how do you handle this without losing your mind?
Listen to my thoughts about junk in Ancestry Family Trees.
Practical Steps to Address Ancestry Errors
Here's how to keep your sanity while (hopefully) setting the record straight.
Double-Check YOUR Research
Before pointing out someone else's error, make sure your own research is rock-solid. Have you:
Conducted a reasonably exhaustive search?
Cross-checked quality sources?
Considered that you, too, might be wrong?
Even the most meticulous genealogists can make transcription errors or jump to conclusions. Double-checking keeps you humble and confident.
Reach Out (Nicely!)
If you're certain of the mistake, reach out to the tree owner. A friendly message like this often works best:
"Hi there! I've been researching [Ancestor's Name] and noticed we might have different info. I'd love to compare notes—here are some sources I found that suggest [correct info]. Let me know what you think!"
Stay polite. Nobody likes a genealogy know-it-all.
Document and Share Your Findings
If the person doesn't respond (or flat-out refuses to change their tree), don't despair. Instead:
Write Up Your Research: Create a clear write-up explaining your conclusions and sources.
Attach to Your Ancestry Profile: Add your write-up as a PDF in your Media Gallery.
Share Elsewhere: Publish your findings on a blog, genealogy newsletter, or even a family history book. The more places your research lives, the better!
Be Patient (or Move On): Some people will not budge. If they insist on believing Thor is a long-lost cousin, be like Elsa and "let it go!" Strive to keep your family tree accurate. In time, your research will bubble to the surface, and you will have well-sourced and correlated profiles.
↪️ Are you looking for more genealogy resources?
Grab your copy of these FREE Genealogy Research Guides.
Bonus Tip: Watch Out for ThruLines Trouble
Ancestry's ThruLines can suggest possible extensions of your tree based on genetic genealogy combined with member trees on the platform. This tool can be a blessing or a curse.
The potential challenge is if the member trees are full of errors, the ThruLine hints can compound the mistakes others make.
Be cautious when analyzing the hints, and hopefully, others will do the same. If a ThruLines suggestion seems fishy, trust your research instincts.
Your Turn: How Do You Handle Ancestry Errors?
These are my go-to strategies, but I'd love to hear yours! How do you handle incorrect information on Ancestry? Leave a comment, and we can compare notes.
