Create Source Citations on Ancestry.com

[@Rocadamis]

Totally agree with how clunky the Ancestry Source Citation process works. When I first join Ancestry I brought over my genealogy files from my computer with all the citations and when I looked at having to fill out all those forms I nearly gave up. I did it for about 30 of them and then quit. Now I do them like you showed, putting the source in the fact description field. Much better. I hope Ancestry takes this video to heart and tries to make the source citation process an easy simple step.

[@charlesshoup4702]

I've been waiting for you to address this, so thank you. You're quick and easy way is how I've been doing it. Ancestry just expanded the options and fields in that edit window. I just wish they would create a citation window instead of it having to go into the notes field.

[@GenealogyTV]

Agreed. Thanks for your continued support of the channel!

[@bevleeming6703]

Just this week I was thinking instead of adding my source citations through Family Tree Maker which is a little easier than in Ancestry, I could add citations as a custom fact. I take it there is room in the description field to add most citations. Thanks for sharing. Love it 💕

[@GenealogyTV]

That's a great idea!

[@rebeccaoliver7977]

Wondering if the method of their madness is to have the data entered to accommodate various style books for citations or changes to style guides in the future. Their process strikes me as similar to software I used in academia. Because academic fields use different style guides (MLA, APA, etc) all of the data is entered once and when one style guide is needed for a particular journal submission, everything is there and ready to go. Just trying to figure out what was going through someone's head to create such a mess. I'm returning to work on my genealogy after many years of work in my 20s. That description field is where I, too, have made notes for sources. I wonder if that "description" field will be captured in a Gedcom field when I get that far. I have a lot to catch up on with the latest software and efforts to digitalize records -- so am appreciating your videos. It is truly a different world! My old-school experience leaves me with great appreciation for the current state of genealogy research. Cheers!

[@GenealogyTV]

Stick around. I'll catch you up in a jiffy.

[@karlasievers2732]

Thank you for sharing ❤

[@soolleigh4442]

I'm trying to add source citations so I can see where the facts come from. I think if you do it the fast way you were showing, it will not have it so you can either click the fact or the source and then it indicates where it came from (for the facts) or what facts are found in the source. I got jpgs of a bunch of obituaries and was hoping to add them in. Previously I just put them in the gallery, but now it looks like I can get them to show up in the Sources. I'm primarily interested in how to source these jpgs I took from Newspapers as screen shots. I had noted the newspaper's name, location, page and date in the title I gave the jpg. Would love to know what to put where when making citations. Also, I had first thought I could look at the sources Ancestry gives themselves for similar sources so I could copy the field info, but it doesn't seem to match up to what they ask me to put in. So frustrating!

[@barbarasmiley1569]

This is not about source citations per se, but it does fall into what you preach in each website. I've binged a few programs over the weekend and want to get serious about getting transcriptions done. Do you ever use transcription software to convert handwritten wills etc to text to get a leg up on the time it takes to do those? If so, do you have a recommendation?

[@GenealogyTV]

I don't use transcription software, but I do use a microphone to dictate what I see. Then all I have to do is fix the little errors that dictation makes. Here is an episode where I did that. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHWzh59trquUiac

[@lestorrey4842]

I think citations can be confusing in itself. When you add the ancestry process, it's no wonder so few actually use citations. I think you offer a great alternative that still captures the intent of the citation. I might add to the 3 part form you covered, and note that if you are attaching media for this item you actually have a 4th form for the media. All the forms start to look very repetitive. Great Job as always.

[@GenealogyTV]

Thanks

[@s.p.3738]

Thank you for this video! I am new to Genealogy and ordered an Ancestry DNA kit. I am in my 50s and my parents are still alive. We know a fair amount of our ancestors. Late 1800s. One line is Italian. One line has Native American far back we were told. Both parents in good health. Between the 3 of us, who do you recommend do this test kit? Thank you!!😊

[@GenealogyTV]

If your parents are willing... get them tested at Ancestry DNA while you can... like immediately. There are many advantages to doing so. First of all you will be able to separate the DNA to your grandparents!

[@teresaeckford305]

I just wish the Description field would allow for more characters - some of my citations run long, so they get cut off. But I refuse to use Ancestry's Add Source feature for just the reason you state.

[@JDAnnyInskeep]

I have to add more here it's from town record book p 36. How do I find out more information do I go the Raymond Maine website which I was trying to do to look up more information. They came from Ireland. My great grandfather was born October 11 1783 in Raymond James Jordan .

[@GenealogyTV]

I have two episodes on Irish research. How to Research Your Irish Genealogy kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqq7oXh7iKukZ80 and FindMyPast UK and Irish Genealogy Research kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6atq4d5i5x-Zrs

[@lauriedavis7464]

i entered a question here about citations. but I dont see it. Is this the best why to ask a question?

[@JDAnnyInskeep]

I have a question I have a record from Raymond Maine of my great grandfather's birth record from 1783 his father name is on it Samuel Jordan.

[@kamrynonlyy2996]

I’m searching for my father. I’ve been searching for a while now. The only man that I had a name for was not my father. I did do Ancestry but I only have a second cousin that is on my fathers side. Please help any suggestions will help thank you ❤️

[@GenealogyTV]

Second cousins are great for this because that means you likely share great grandparents, meaning it is not too much work to trace the tree. Then research the descendants of that couple and see where it leads you. You might find more cousins that have a closer DNA match... which helps you zero in on the bio father. Then think about the right place and right time that conceived you when looking at possible fathers. Use all traditional research methods (like city directories, census, etc.) to help located potential relatives. Watch this video... it is an older one but good for visualizing the process. Solve Family History Mysteries with DNA Strategies the Pros Use kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWqViHuBd66Cr5Y

[@kamrynonlyy2996]

@@GenealogyTV thank you so much ❤️ I’ve tried and reached out to cousins but they have private trees. I found them on Instagram and Facebook but no response. I’m feeling hopeless like I will never know 🤦🏽‍♀️your page has helped tremendously!! Very comprehensive and easy to follow. If I can get past the private people I know my answer is there. That is the biggest dilemma for me.

[@MKB0720]

Thank you so much!!!

[@GenealogyTV]

You're welcome!

[@LuckyBruin1]

Is there any information on managing repositories and sources? You added a repository and source for your demo, but now is there a way to go in and delete them?

[@GenealogyTV]

Good question. I never tried to delete one before. If you delete it, how do you know how many sources you have attached to it. Perhaps an alternative is to just not use it anymore.

[@tinasepulveda1895]

On ANCESTRY TEST they changed some of my family member's last name to Seulvedo

[@JamesBrown-ux6md]

Me… I just put them in the description of the gallery item so citations travel with the photo/document

[@patriciajrs46]

When males take a dna test does it follow, list, or point out any of their mdna? What I'm asking is, is there any way to get information about my Dad's mom's ancestors?

[@GenealogyTV]

Using Ancestry DNA look for a cousin match that you know comes from that line. Then click into that dna cousins and click on shared matches. All those cousins are from that branch of the family somehow. Use traditional genealogy to figure out how they’re all connected.

[@GenealogyTV]

MtDNA has a different pattern. It is handed down to both son and daughter but stops with the son. He does not hand it down to the next generation. Knowing that you have to think backwards.

[@patriciajrs46]

@@GenealogyTV I was thinking backwards. At least I thought I was. I would like to know if my paternal grandfather's mtdna would lead to his mother. I'd like to know who she was.

[@skiser65]

Do you think they will ever make this feature more user friendly? Its a pain

[@GenealogyTV]

Good question.

[@cathyc6725]

Way better!

[@richardpaz1919]

I use a web link from family search to ancestory as a source. Does anyone else?

[@GenealogyTV]

I've done that. My only concern is that weblinks break. If say, 50 years from now FamilySearch decides to move those files to a different location, the web link will not work.

[@richardpaz1919]

@@GenealogyTVthanks for that info I hope they don’t move it anytime soon.

[@strangelyparanormal7459]

Ancestry’s entire way of citing sources is a mess. I use Family Historian 7 as my primary database to keep all of my data. I also don’t use Evidence Explained because it’s really unintuitive. I have used the Simple Citations templates for Family Historian 7 for a few years and then cut and paste that into Ancestry.

[@GenealogyTV]

Recently I started using cite-builder.com/. It's pretty good and most of it is free to use. I bought the pro plan to see how it does. As a professional, I'd say it is perfect for the hobbiest... and 90% for the professional.

[@johannesmith1979]

Thank you for sharing. This was very useful.

[@GenealogyTV]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for your continued support.