Hints and Clues on Ancestry

Ancestry.com has hints and clues all over their platform. Some are obvious and others are not. In this episode I’m revealing 20 hints and clues that you may have overlooked. This is everything from the obvious leafy hints to finding potential ancestors.
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OTHER VIDEOS
🔴 Ancestry New Mobile App Features and New Widgets: July 2021
• Ancestry New Mobile Ap...
🔴 Ancestry Q&A with Crista Cowan: July 2021
• Ancestry Q&A with Cris...
🔴AncestryDNA Communities Update: June 2021
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🔴 Genealogy Workflow: Workspace, Organizing, Filing & Research Process
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CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
1:01 Hints Tab
1:31 Leafy Hints on Tree
1:50 ThruLines Icon
2:44 Search Records from Profile
3:24 FamilyTrees on Search Results
4:24 Browse More Like This
4:42 Too Many Results
5:45 What are Smart Filters
8:39 Categories in Search Results
9:44 See All Results
10:12 Make a Connection
10:50 Home Page Tree Activity
11:46 Family Events
12:23 Historical Insights
13:24 Ignored Hints
14:40 Source Information
15:36 Related Data Collections
16:40 DNA Images
17:20 Potential Ancestors in Thrulines
18:09 Evaluate Potential Ancestors
19:03 Bonus Tip - Member Connect
20:24 Handout Info
20:52 Outro
Genealogy TV Episode 216
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I am a fanatic for genealogy, family history and DNA to research my American ancestors . My mission is to create the best free genealogy videos and webinars on KZbin. I teach the genealogy research skills while building my family tree and studying family origins. I am a professional genealogist; I teach research skills and records research. The best videos on “Genealogy TV” (KZbin) are about learning research notes, logs, staying organized, genetic genealogy, finding missing ancestors, and where to find family history records.
#Genealogy #GenealogyTV #FamilyHistory
Music Credits for Song on Word Tree Open
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[@dianapocalypse]

Did you like this week's video? Check out more from GenealogyTV! Connie has all the Ancestry tips and tricks you could ever need. Why not learn about new features added in May 2021? kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6Gto2Sta8xggcU

[@AnnNunnally]

After watching this video, I did another search on a brick wall ancestor, and I found more ideas for research since my search several months ago. Thanks!

[@GenealogyTV]

Oh fantastic.

[@kaybobbitt7787]

That was great. Glad to have the handout!

[@GenealogyTV]

Thanks Kay! Good seeing you the other day.

[@gloriagreen5707]

Connie, Thanks for a really great and helpful video. Some of these I did know, but many of these I did not know and it was great to add them to my research toolbox. Really appreciate everything you share with us! Hope you're doing well!

[@GenealogyTV]

Thanks Gloria. I’m doing well. I hope you are.

[@pattiharrison1211]

Very, very helpful Thank you so much for teaching me these things!!

[@GenealogyTV]

Glad to help.

[@barbarasorrells3242]

Thank you for all the great hints

[@GenealogyTV]

You are so welcome!

[@tedmetzger7017]

Thank you! Ancestry has really improved on hints over the years! I need to take advantage of ALL of them.

[@GenealogyTV]

Me too!

[@richardhoover4471]

Connie, thanks for some of the tips I really wasn’t aware of, i.e., the Smart Filter toggle and the Category view and the See More of record types! It was great to see our mutual Clark lines used in the video. Hope all is well with you. 👍

[@GenealogyTV]

Thanks Richard. Many people are not aware of Smart Filters.

[@dianehowdeshell4806]

Thank you so much for explaining in-depth how to use the hints on Ancestry. AWESOME!!!!

[@GenealogyTV]

My pleasure. Thanks for the compliments and for supporting GTV.

[@sherylfinch1428]

Wow - thank you for these tips! There are quite a few new to me.

[@GenealogyTV]

Excellent. Thanks for your support Sheryl

[@5sweetiepie]

Great video! I have not used all these search hints before but now I know they exist and will use them. Thanks Connie!

[@GenealogyTV]

You’re most welcome.

[@lornaescobar3828]

Thank you so much, never used the Smart Filtering before, but will now.

[@GenealogyTV]

It can be a valuable lesson to use it both on and off.

[@arlindanelson7928]

I've used most of the hints and tips you've suggested. A few New to me. You've done an excellent job of explaining each and making suggestions as well. Thank you Connie. Off subject: I just love your hair.

[@GenealogyTV]

Glad it was helpful... and thank you!

[@malikagadsden6430]

Thank you. You are always helpful

[@GenealogyTV]

Thanks. I appreciate your comment.

[@lizray53]

Thank you so much for the information. I have learned so much from your videos on how to use filters and so many others things.

[@GenealogyTV]

Great to hear! Thanks for the compliments.

[@Petra3067]

Thank you! I picked up some new tools I didn't know. Very helpful

[@GenealogyTV]

Thanks

[@kessliej]

Wow... Tip #14 blew me away. Had no idea it was there. I'd been thinking about doing my own historical events digging.... Whew! Dodged some unnecessary work on my part... Thank you so much for this video !!!??

[@thirdygames1490]

Great video!!!!

[@GenealogyTV]

Thank you

[@brendaeggleston7368]

Hi from the UK. I'm very new to Ancestry but very keen and excited by what you have shared in this you tube video. I get stuck sometimes on some of the basics, like why have I got several parts of my tree but not all on the same page, and is it easy to add a photo to my tree, got any ideas please.

[@GenealogyTV]

Regarding the tree, it is likely because as a tree gets larger, the Ancestry platform can't show it all or it would be so small you can't read it. Adding a photo is easy. Go to the Ancestor's profile and click on Gallery. On the right side there is a an Add button. Then you have a choice to add a photo or story. Try that. Welcome to Genealogy TV!

[@brendaeggleston7368]

@@GenealogyTV thankyou, I'll try that.

[@craftystash8667]

Spectacular info...I tend to click and move on..I need to spend MORE time with each person..it's not a competition 🤣

[@GenealogyTV]

So true.

[@mickdownes9265]

Thanks for a very informative video. I've tried out a few of these now - all very useful. It's a shame the Ancestry Hints process is so complicated now with the horrible sidebar. Here's my hint - right click on the hint and open it in a new window. you can then evaluate it using the old method (ie without the dreaded sidebar!).

[@GenealogyTV]

You can also click on the record title in the sidebar to view it the old way too.

[@mickdownes9265]

@@GenealogyTV That's an even better way of reviewing a hint. Ta v much for the tip!

[@GenealogyTV]

My pleasure.

[@Greywolfgrafix]

I have a great-grandmother whom I cannot find prior to 1880, when she was still married to her first husband. She was born about 1840, and married my great-grandfather in 1886 and had three children by him. THEN she apparently died by 1899 when he married his 3rd wife - his own step-daughter! I'm getting 2nd cousin matches to all of her children by her 1st husband. I just cannot find this family before 1880!

[@GenealogyTV]

Keep digging, you’ll figure it out.

[@GenealogyTV]

Have you looked on FamilySearch?

[@Greywolfgrafix]

@@GenealogyTV I use it all the time. I've been working on my genealogy for over 30 years. Started before all of this computer stuff.

[@patriciambrady910]

Could you enlarge and perhaps color your cursor? It is hard for me to track yours as is. Thanks

[@GenealogyTV]

I will consider that. Sorry.

[@janetaldana4179]

Hi Connie, I just came across your KZbin channel searching how to information. I received my ancestry, myheritage and 23andme results and am stuck on who my Biological Father could be. Do you or do you know of any genealogists that could help me in my search? I’m just really really confused.

[@GenealogyTV]

I have private coaching if you want to try that. That way we can jump on a Zoom call, share computer screens, and I can see your family tree. Here is a link with more information. genealogytv.org/virtual-private-coaching/

[@myraalexander3018]

I see my ThruLines when I go through the DNA summary but I don’t know how you get the “blue circle with figures” noting ThruLines to attach to my tree like your tree screen shown. When I am on the ThruLines screen, it states it is linked to my tree. What step am I missing to show DNA connections on my public ancestry tree?

[@GenealogyTV]

That one is hard to answer without seeing your tree. It might have something to do with the size of your tree. I have thousands of people in my tree, and hundreds of DNA matches. If your tree is small, then you won't get many DNA cousins lining up in ThruLines. That's all I can think of right now because you said your DNA is attached to the right tree. If you have more than one tree, you might be looking at the wrong tree. Just some ideas.

[@rustypianist]

When you have your next Q & A with Crista Cowan, could you have her tell us the best method in letting Ancestry know when we encounter a non-working link. For example, if we're reviewing a record and in the source citation it has a link to perhaps where Ancestry obtain the record from, or is a link for more information about the record set, but the link no longer works, what is the best way to report that to Ancestry? Non-working links don't really fit into one of the "Report a Problem" categories contained when viewing a record, and using the "Contact Us" feature for ancestry doesn't have an option to email for general information, instead requiring to chat or call whereas this would be something to just let Ancestry know about, not necessarily worthy of a chat or call.

[@redf7209]

I've sometimes found these non working links work later on or with another attempt. I think the requests just time out too quick if network or database is too slow.

[@GenealogyTV]

All good points you both made. I don't know of another way, other than the "Report a Problem" link. You are right, it's not worth out time to make a call or chat. Good idea. I don't think I'll get very far with the Q&A but I'll add it to the list.

[@tomwalker7103]

How does Connie feel about Ancestry’s terms and conditions change giving it permanent right to use all member supplied images as they wish?

[@GenealogyTV]

I’m really not getting involved in the politics of the matter.

[@lautaroaguilar9584]

I’m having such a hard time with record from Argentina. I tried CEMLA with no avail. Any suggestions?

[@GenealogyTV]

I'm sorry, I don't. My first thought is to go to Ancestry's card catalog and drill down into Argentina. Doing so you will find 9 sets of records to research for Argentina. Go here directly to see it. www.ancestry.com/search/collections/catalog/?location=5024_1652394 Then do the same on FamilySearch. What is CEMLA? I'm not familiar.

[@JamesDavis-dn3wo]

I thought the thrulines hint was interesting so I gave it a try and wiped out half of my family tree. For some reason my mother showed up complete with dotted lines. She was already in my tree but I clicked on it anyway and it appears that the line of my mother was replaced by re-adding my mother. Oh no

[@GenealogyTV]

James... I suspect you're okay. Here's what I think happened. Someone else had your mother in their tree (maybe slightly spelled differently or had different dates so Ancestry thought it was a different person)... that's why it showed up in Thrulines. Then you added that new mother to your tree. You can fix this by searching for your mother in the trees search in the upper right corner of the tree. Once you find her, reattach her to you. Here is a video that helps explain how to fix that. Fixing Ancestor Relationships on Ancestry.com kzbin.info/www/bejne/l33Uq6aIqshjoNk

[@melissahahn4779]

Is there a way to filter out hints from your own tree?

[@GenealogyTV]

Not exactly. When you do a search, the green box at the top of the list shows what you already have in your tree. If smart filtering is turn on, you will not see other records that you already have. If smart filtering is turned off then you could see records again from the same record set.

[@lbfaith]

I am prematurely commenting within 3 min so sorry if you’re going to mention. But, when you ‘ok’ a potential parent and it lists their kids and spouse. It’s worth writing down bc ancestry doesn’t automatically add them. I think they should add that option bc it’ll save A LOT more time. Idk how many solid adds from potential parents that I didn’t realize that you have to find and add them yourself.. and I mean there’s at least 50-100 people easily of kids and spouses of potential parent hints that didn’t get added. Too many families I’d have to undo just to get the hints again to know who their children was bc I couldn’t find any censuses on them with my own searches. Side note: it says it’s been 2 hours since upload. And there are comments from 5 days ago.. so Yt gotta bug.

[@redf7209]

I think I want the opposite from you. Its quite common to find a good link to a hint person but the rest of the tree does not link or vice versa. So many trees out there copying the same error from tree to tree already. I want to check every one individually. I'd worry about inadvertantly adding in people erroneously because I accepted details of one person.

[@lbfaith]

@@redf7209 technically the same. We both just want the option to choose what we want from a hint or potential parent. I hope they update it.

[@GenealogyTV]

You are right. You need to add them individually. Depending on which screen you are on, some you can scroll down and add them. I don't like to do this because it's easy to add duplicates if you're not careful.

[@rucksackzen]

Connie not sure you have heard about Ancestry’s update to its Terms and Conditions giving them perpetual and non-revocable rights to use your photos, videos, audio and other materials attached to your tree for whatever purposes they wish. It’s really a bad move on their part and I am aware of many people purging their trees of uploaded material.

[@GenealogyTV]

Hummm. I saw they updated it but did not study it.

[@pbcanal1]

Off topic, but this came up at a wedding. How are we supposed to classify those who are non gender? My niece is now a they/them, and has changed her name to reflect this. What is correct?

[@GenealogyTV]

There are options. You don’t have to pick a gender. You can add alternate names. I recommend adding a persons birth name as the primary name on Ancestry and then adding any other names as alternate names by just adding another name fact.

[@ChristynO]

In my experience, pro genies live in the card catalog.

[@GenealogyTV]

Amen

[@macbirt56]

My problem with "Hints" is that sometimes you link to what looks like the right ancestor only one find out that there's a second one with very similar information, who is actually your ancestor. Once you try to correct it you continue to get hints for the wrong ancestor.

[@GenealogyTV]

Yes ancestry will deliver all hint possibilities. The computer can’t tell the difference between two people with the same or similar names. This is where your evaluation comes in. You need to review every record to make sure it is your ancestor.

[@Hs-tu2sl]

My hints are not always accurately provided

[@GenealogyTV]

Correct. Everything needs to be evaluated to determine if it is a match to your family or not.

[@rjb6327]

I have 'Historical incites" turned on for everyone in my tree, but I get none.

[@hg0580]

Do you have census sources for them for each decade that they’re available?

[@redf7209]

I'm not convinced these searches work. I often broaden searches to find someone i cant find with exact criteria and sometimes i get no matches even though the exact criteria did find people. Sometimes, I specifically look for records using exact criteria only to be given results outside this criteria. It seems particularly poor at geographic criteria and years. Giving me names in the US when I'm specifically choosing records or people who lived in the UK or in a particular area of the UK is not helpful. I've also sometimes found people in a broad search with the exact dob that should have come up in the exact search for that dob. I've also noticed that the ancestor mapping in the life story is often way out, how does it map a street in an English town to some uninhabited unnamed crossroads in Turkey? Sometimes if i don't put a country on a UK address it seems to have a habit of deciding it belongs to a namesake in the US by default. It's topographiical index must be pretty limited or non US ones must be often offline. I also often look at hints only to find that the record provided is just a name with no accompanying data to make any recognition of a link, or any information beyond the name that would add in any way to the name i already have, even if i did psychically decide it was the same.

[@GenealogyTV]

Yes... this is why I use the Card Catalog and drill into the location first. Then pick my databases I want to search methodically. I didn't cover the card catalog in this episode, but that's my first choice. You should consider searching on FindMyPast for UK records too.

[@tomwalker7103]

hmmm

[@GenealogyTV]

Fuel for thought.

[@ceciliaseiber5507]

I don’t have through line in my ancestry

[@GenealogyTV]

Have you taken a DNA test? You will only see ThrLines if you have a DNA kit attached to your tree.

[@Greywolfgrafix]

ThruLines is worthless to me. They have my Smiths linked to a family that has never been in Mississippi and cannot be my ancestors.

[@GenealogyTV]

That is likely because one of your DNA cousins have attached the wrong person to their tree.

[@Greywolfgrafix]

@@GenealogyTV Yes. That Smith family in New York is in no shape, form or fashion related to our Smiths in Carroll County, Mississippi. I have no idea how to get that removed from my ThruLine!