How to Use WikiTree

[@michaelrochester48]

The thing I like about that website is that it allows you to create biographies of your ancestors rather than just shows you the sources. You can create biographical accounts of your ancestors and source site every single one

[@GenealogyTV]

Amen

[@elainefiveland1462]

I started looking at WikiTree but got totally overwhelmed. Now I have to go back and start again. There goes my free time!! Thank you 😊

[@debbiekjohnson2568]

This is me exactly! I love research! I have my tree on all kinds of site, but wikitree is so confusing. Maybe eventually I will understand it. Hope your videos get me through it! Thanks for this, I needed it so badly!

[@DonnaMM6361]

Yes, me too. I tried to look at it a few years ago. I found nothing useful at all. But, reflecting back I think that I was just trying to research my brick walls which are from times where there just are no records. But, I have met distant relatives on FB that use Wikitree primarily. My husband's paternal line is all Bessarabian. Maybe that's why they use Wikitree. I will definitively check it out again. I'm much more experienced now, too.

[@GenealogyTV]

My pleasure. I needed it too!

[@GenealogyTV]

Donna, if you know how this FB relative connects to you, you could build your tree out enough to connect to them... and it will help you see all the work he/she has done already... which might just ripple out to other branches of yours. Just a thought.

[@juanitabarnett8232]

Me too!

[@corrytarbox9790]

I will be giving this a serious look! Thank you for this site.

[@GenealogyTV]

Hope you like it!

[@donnanorth7324]

I have a great idea for a video. I chose you to make it. lol Imagine a rookie genealogist/DNA researcher that is aging. There are accounts, trees and DNA spread all over several sites (ancestry, GEDMatch, 23andMe....). Maybe there is a mix of autosomal and Y or mt DNA uploaded as well. No one in the family is currently interested in the research. THE RESEARCHER DIES. We need a video of exactly what to assemble on a card or in a will, to give some future yet unknown researcher all the links, passwords, email addresses, etc, needed to pick up where the dead researcher left off. I got locked out of my mom's DNA at Ancestry because we could not come up with her email address that was used to open the account that was only ever used to upload her DNA. I needed to DL her DNA for GEDMatch, but couldn't and had to get a second test done to be able to DL the results. That experienced spawned this idea. It is very important to be able to maintain control of ALL of the work after death! Thank You.

[@GenealogyTV]

Yes... this is a good subject. I'll put it in the planner... I make no promises... but this is a subject I have thought about too.

[@LindaSchreiber]

I was a very early adopter at WikiTree when I was still researching my adoptive family. I uploaded that tree, when it was the early wild west there ;). The syntax necessary for adding information and sources was daunting, but I learned some, and I really got value from the 'discussion' pages on ancestors! Learned a ton from others! I have gotten away from it, now that I have the biologicals, but I find that relearning the syntax is holding me back. Gotta stop that! I can do this! WikiTree is so much better than it was way back....

[@GenealogyTV]

Wow. I love being an early adopter.

[@TheDoe53]

I use Wikitree for the Acadian Project. I am still learning my way around it but have my ancestry dna link and recently uploaded my GEDcom file. Thank you for teaching me about GEDcom. I encourage people to play with Wikitree. Very useful, free tool.

[@GenealogyTV]

Thanks for sharing!

[@IowaKim]

I watched your video yesterday on the challenge, and that made me dive into WikiTree. Today watching this video, as yesterday I floundered around a bit, there's a lot going on in there! Very well designed site. at 18:38 you just answered a question I had. Yesterday I was adding my grandfather, and *thought* I had chosen him in the list of possibles, by clicking the box on the left, and turns out I should have clicked the "Set as father" on the right. I ended up with a duplicate and went through the trial of merging, and met a cousin in the process. Turns out you can't delete a mistaken person, only merge. So be careful! I'm going to explore more today (in between yard chores).

[@GenealogyTV]

Good to know Kim. Thanks for sharing. I'm sure others will benefit from your comment.

[@tobypetzold4540]

This is one of your best videos yet, Connie. Thank you for posting. And thank you, Mindy, for inspiring me to finally sign up for WikiTree.

[@GenealogyTV]

Wow, thanks. You are so welcome!

[@alicemthomsen]

I really found some good information from this video

[@charlotteruse158]

I'm so glad you chose Wikitree as one of your topics! Why I became a member of Wikitree. Out of curiosity I did a Google search of my dad's mother's name. She died very young and my dad never talked about her or his father. Her mother's mother's Wikitree profile popped up in the results. I created a guest account and looked at her profile and found all these people who were my relatives that I knew nothing about. I joined as a member to see more but never became interested until a few years later. I didn't know about family search then which has so many family trees with incorrect relatives. Anyway I'm so glad I found Wikitree first because validating relationships , birth dates, death dates etc with sources is so important there. I have been an active member since 2018 and I would never dream of having my tree anywhere else. Everybody is super friendly and helpful, they care about the integrity of their tree and your tree too, it's fun and there's so many things you can do. When I started the G2G forum and help index were my go tos for everything. You should try it it's like being with family and they are.

[@GenealogyTV]

Love your comment. It sounds like you found a home on WikiTree.

[@ShineKelly]

Very timely - I have my tree on Ancestry and didn't pay any attention to wiki tree... just made a profile after watching this video and hearing from a contact who ONLY uses wikitree. So I have joined and will see how I like it. Thanks.

[@GenealogyTV]

Excellent. It usually helps us to find more resources and connections when we expand out horizons… especially when it is a free resource like this.

[@junebutka6571]

Great interview ladies. I find this very useful and maybe I'll be a little more adventurous in growing my tree.

[@GenealogyTV]

Thanks June... me too!

[@ginagaladriel]

Very interesting, I've used wikitree (not as a member), and always wondered if I should start one or not, this has helped me decide that is def worthy to try, hopefully it can help me break some walls, thank you so much!

[@GenealogyTV]

Yep. My pleasure. It's a new resource for me too. I had played with it, but not much. I'll be going back a lot now.

[@exdus235]

Love this community. People sharing gold, with an open heart, for the benefit of others. 2022 👋🏻😊

[@matttolmanaz]

You provide such good content. With everything I'm learning I just feel overwhelmed at times with trying to absorb it and then apply it. You have been such a great help over the last couple of month as I've begun to dig and unearth my family history and the family history of wife's DNA family. Thank you.

[@GenealogyTV]

Thanks Matt!

[@ruthrobb4406]

Thank-you there is a lot to be learned. I am looking forward to learning more.😮😊

[@GenealogyTV]

So nice of you. Stay tuned.

[@carolcroft6248]

Wow! So much extraordinary information presented from what seems like a fabulous community resource! And what an excellent interview! 🙏

[@GenealogyTV]

Thank you Carol.

[@cindycarrasco2383]

Wow...very excited by this...myself was really unsure how good the information was from Wikitree. Been to it several times just to see or find ancestors but have had it on the back burner as to whether I wanted to do and join this site, but after this video today definitely going to do this. You are awesome Connie and so are your guests when you have them on the videos. I definitely have learned so much...again thank you for all you do in helping people breaking brick walls and learning more on ancestors. 😉

[@GenealogyTV]

Wow. Thank you Cindy. That was very nice of you to say.

[@EastOrlandoFlorida]

I love using the compare gedcom feature to confirm DNA relations to lines way back in time I was slightly unsure about.

[@GenealogyTV]

Yes... I think that's what helps set WikiTree apart from others... and helps verify the connections.

[@bsemmanz7274]

Blessings to you and your loved ones, thank you. Kind Regards MBM Lamh Laidir An Uachtar

[@gailivey2015]

I'm a volunteer at Wiki Tree, too, but haven't done much there lately. However, one thing I REALLY like is that you can link your tree from Wiki Tree to Gedmatch.

[@GenealogyTV]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[@aquaticgal]

Just stumbled upon wiki tree and I’m obsessed lol

[@GenealogyTV]

Yay!

[@suellenw561]

I recently joined FamilySearch & find all the duplicates ... or more correctly "near duplicates" ... to be very confusing. Sounds like WikiTree is where I should have been working. I've been researching my & my husb's families for over 10 yrs but started with some info I had collected on my Dad's family as far back as my high school days in early 1960s. It was one page with birth dates mostly. It's amazing how much has become available online. I found my Dad's draft registration several months ago. It was filled out in 1942 in his handwriting.

[@suellenw561]

I just watched this again today (5 months after the first post). I learned a few more things that I had missed before because I was so new. Thanks.

[@theredroadeast723]

There is a serious learning curve to navigating wiki tree. I am brand new and have not been successful utilizing the features as of yet.

[@suewegert2323]

This information is fantastic. I’m trying to find ancestors in Europe and had no idea how until I saw this. Will definitely be going here. Thanks.

[@GenealogyTV]

Glad it was helpful!

[@TravelBound2024]

What great timing! I just joined WikiTree last night so this tour was perfect! Thanks Connie and Mindy!

[@GenealogyTV]

Excellent

[@barblamoureux6826]

So glad I stumbled across you're genealogy videos! I hadn't known about wiki tree and I think I'll join...this video was amazing and very helpful!

[@GenealogyTV]

Thanks Barb. I am learning more about WikiTree everyday myself. You know, when it's free, it's hard to pass up.

[@michellepacheco5518]

This is great especially I am just starting out since December researching my genealogy. Especially my family in Azores

[@GenealogyTV]

Wonderful! Glad you are here. Stick around... I have lots in the works that will help you.

[@HarleenQuinnister]

Watching one year later thanks so much for this video! I'm new to wikitree and found the sources section super intimidating before seeing this.

[@GenealogyTV]

Glad it was helpful!

[@feliciagaffney1998]

I've been using Wikitree recently when I've been stuck. Sometimes it's helpful, sometimes not. Lol. But it is handy for yet another tool! Thank you for this interview! Good info here! I haven't spent a lot of time on the site yet.

[@idahughey3304]

That’s so cool. I have always wanted to do Genealogy of my family this is cool information thank you so much

[@GenealogyTV]

Any time!

[@pquodling]

The thing that I love about Wikitree is the "side-track" - aka "Featured Connections" - for example I am 19 degrees of separation from the queen of England. It is not about ancestors, but shows how related we all are...

[@GenealogyTV]

Just make sure you verify through records, every link.

[@SwearMY]

It's bewildering right now. Thanks for this video.

[@kathywiseman7944]

I started putting my tree on wikitree but because I've got so much information that is not online that I decided to add the information to Ancestry and FS first and then go to wikitree after. My tree is too large without making sure the information is correct first.

[@GenealogyTV]

I hear you. Me too. Sounds like you have a good strategy going.

[@wendywilliams2669]

This video was immensely helpful!!! Thanks so very much!

[@GenealogyTV]

You are so welcome!

[@margaretgarner853]

I love wikitree!

[@martnal]

I just never knew that you could click and drag over the cells in a Captcha. (For example like the bit at 4:53, over the coach.) That will save me so much time. I can't believe that I didn't know about it.

[@laurelclark4139]

A Wikitree Adoption Angel helped me figure out my potential birth family. My birth father’s family did find me & I have a great relationship with them & talk to my 90 year old father nearly everyday.( he didn’t know about me for 59 years). Still need to find out how to have a birth family tree & keep my adopted tree as my adopted parents were both only-children & there is no one else that will do their tree.

[@desertpatient]

Thanks Bunches

[@GenealogyTV]

You bet!

[@hallscroft]

I wonder if Wikitree is primarily a USA thing? My research is UK based and there is not a single ancestor of mine on the tree which was disappointing.

[@dreamawhatley9609]

Quick question and not related to WikiTree. . . I have a grandmother who was born after the 1880 census. There is no 1890 census and she was married by the time the 1900 census came around so I thought the possibility of finding her with her core family was going to be zero. I was looking for confirmation on who Ancestry was saying was the father of my 2nd great grandmother in the 1900 census and I remembered what another lady said about looking at more than just that particular family. Well, I found my great grandmother married to her second husband living two houses down. Would that be at least a hint that Ancestry was right about this family being my 2nd great grandmother's core family? And what other information might I be able to use to verify? My 2nd great grandmother, for some reason, told her family she was Susie Stewart. Clueless about why she would do that as well.

[@GenealogyTV]

Yes this is perfect for the FAN Club strategy. Watch both of these videos. 1890 US Census Substitutes - kzbin.info/www/bejne/roalm2yIbtaGoZY What is F.A.N. Club Research for Genealogy and Family History? kzbin.info/www/bejne/pomydaF7p7yLfNk

[@tina3247]

This was very helpful

[@GenealogyTV]

Awesome

[@lbfaith]

I’m stuck on one person born 1910 in Alabama. No birth certificate no census’ but one or 2 same city in Ohio but connect connect the 2. Can’t find census’ for her as a child and can’t trace the possible parents of each that could be her. She had a kid in Ohio apparently but doesn’t match either parents last name. Next census she’s taking her mothers married name. It’s confusing. I also can’t find death cert or marriage certificate.

[@GenealogyTV]

If she has any siblings, research them extensively. You may find a connection through them.

[@lbfaith]

@@GenealogyTV don’t know of any…. This is my husbands family. Right now all I know is everyone passes away young. 40-55. The oldest ones are also confused.

[@sr2291]

Her name may be misspelled.

[@robinnunan4641]

Connie, how do I become a full member to have access to the information documents? I can not find the link you mention? Thanks!

[@GenealogyTV]

Click the join button on the KZbin channel. Then, once joined, go to the community tab for the handouts.

[@AmeliaBucks]

Can you PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do a video on how to set up a tree if one is adopted? I just don't understand their instructions. I am a visual learner! And I can not find ANYONE on youtube who had done a video about it. I would GREATLY appreciate it!

[@GenealogyTV]

Hi Amelia. If I do it would be on Ancestry.

[@AmeliaBucks]

@@GenealogyTV Sadly I already know how to do it on ancestry and have a huge tree. I would like to put my tree on Wikitree but oh well!

[@minikitz5642]

Connie, Once again PERFECT TIMING! I just joined WikiTree a couple weeks back, uploaded a gedcom and immediately felt I was over my head! LOL! This was a wonderful informational video. Now I don't feel so overwhelmed and will go back and try again. I love the "WikiTree Challenge" videos and have seen a few. I can't wait to see yours. Thank you! Debbie Jones, Phoenix AZ

[@GenealogyTV]

Thanks Debbie. I was overwhelmed too. That’s why I asked Mindy to do this show. Thanks for your support.

[@judegirl7607]

Obviously I am a living person. I found my name in a tree on Ancestry. I contacted the tree owner told her about it, and she refused to remove my name. I contacted Ancestry several times, and they refused to help me. The last Ancestry person I spoke with told me she could see my name, but Ancestry cannot go into someone's tree and remove entries or contact people. So don't believe you are "protected." Another thing; "honor code." People can publish anything they choose no matter how hurtful. My bother passed away, and I found himit just about killed me as i loved his so much. One week later his obit was published on a Ancestry tree. I was told, and I looked at the tree. I was in a state of shock. The owner informed me "The dead don't have rights." I have had encounters with some really unscrupulous "genealogists" including a first cousin who was born, and raised in another state and never came to visit the state her mother was born in while I grew up with her mother's (my fathers) family. Beware what you publish.

[@GenealogyTV]

I'm sorry to read this Jude.

[@kekes1234]

I need help finding two of my ancestors/grandparents. Now you might think this is easy and all but my grandparents were killed during a genocide when my mother was just a n infant sadly. Two remaining photos survived but many others were stolen. My grandpa was born somewhere in Indonesia (unknown birthdate/year) and my grandma was born in Battambang, Cambodia I think with an unknown birthdate/year however my mother might have that information. As I mentioned, the infamous Khmer Rouge Regime killed them and 2 photos survived. However, my grandpa was a very well known businessman in Cambodia before the genocide. My mother speculates that he ran a gem/crystal business. My mother gathered this information from her grandma. I want to see more pictures so I need help 😢

[@GenealogyTV]

This is definitely beyond my expertise. You might see if there is a WikiTree project for this area. You might consider hiring a professional genealogist. You can go to www.apgen.org/cpages/home to find a list of professionals. Ancestry also has a ProGenealogist website www.progenealogists.com/?test=help.default&_ga=2.50785261.530218882.1624394806-1538881176.1624112196

[@marykowalski7349]

I'm a channel member but can't find this particular handout. I appreciate all the many handouts but there are so many I can't find that specific one.... is there a way to search for the handout link for a specific video?

[@GenealogyTV]

Just reposted it in the Community tab. Sometimes the older videos get buried in the posts. kzbin.infocommunity

[@karikm17]

when looking at the connect to me it shows green and yellow boxes what does this mean

[@GenealogyTV]

I’ll have to ask.

[@sherryledbetter1856]

Can you have multiple trees on WikiTree, as in biological and adopted, and keep them 'disconnected' if you're connected to both trees?

[@GenealogyTV]

I don’t think so since it is a collaborative tree. Go to the Help then G2G for help. That’s a good question.

[@GenealogyTV]

Thanks Sherry

[@buntysimmons2565]

This wekitree is on good, I live in N. Ireland, I put my grandmothers name is and no results, I pit my name in, no results

[@GenealogyTV]

Keep in mind on many sites, living people are not going to show. Also, this is volunteer driven. Perhaps you should be the volunteer who enters that information to connect to the world tree.

[@judybates2415]

I want to try this research website.

[@GenealogyTV]

You have nothing to lose... it's free.

[@teresagriffin]

I started WikiTree yesterday. When I tried to enter my grandmother who passed, it wouldn’t let me save because another record says she is alive?? I will figure this out!

[@ramtallen]

Hope you got this dilemma figured out 6 months ago. If not go to G2G and tell them you’re story and they’ll fix it for you.

[@teresagriffin]

Thank you! I just went on with entering other people. Now, I working with an adopted cousin trying to find his birth parents names. Everyone has passed. He has health issues so I’m trying to do this for him….not easy in Maryland!

[@netajanedoris9323]

Okay. I have joined at the all access level. I can not find any thing that provides me with a handout. How do I get one to print out.

[@GenealogyTV]

Hi Neta, All handouts for Channel Members are in the blog posts on the COMMUNITY TAB on the KZbin Channel. Once there, scroll down and look for HANDOUT. Click READ MORE (just above the image of the video), then click the HANDOUT LINK. Don’t forget to download it with the down arrow in the upper right corner. Info Access level channel members have access to all handouts. To go to the Community Tab directly... kzbin.infoCommunity. Thanks for supporting Genealogy TV!

[@kathrynfarmer3736]

As an adoptee still searching and unknown father Could I use this? Maybe I can sign up as just a guest. And get genealogy help. Of course my name has nothing to do with my bio makeup

[@GenealogyTV]

If you have not done so already, take an Ancestry DNA test. Using the cousin matches and building trees from those DNA cousins will help you reconstruct the bio family.

[@florianstraub9126]

It's not mandatory to have your parents on WikiTree. You can also add family to other profiles or even create new ones without any connection.

[@donnanorth7324]

I have a ton of questions: biggest one is can I download a gedcom from wikitree?

[@GenealogyTV]

www.wikitree.com/wiki/Help:GEDCOM

[@mabelconner6918]

Am trying to figure out how to export my Evans Family Tree on Ancestry to Wiki. Am not that computer savvy. Don't know what file or program I need to open and share it.

[@GenealogyTV]

I'm not sure it is worth the effort to export it from Ancestry... only because once you import it to WikiTree, you have to one-by-one compare it to the world tree. It would likely be easier to start from scratch. Just add a few people in your direct lines and see if they start to show up. Also, you could just search for your ancestors there and see if they are there... then start a tree.

[@legalass17]

I started my wiki tree and was going along great until I found a similar person. I was told by several people I had the wrong person but I have no idea how to cut that person out of my tree so I can add the right person.

[@GenealogyTV]

Go to the G2G forum under the help menu for help.

[@florianstraub9126]

Go to the edit tab/page, then on the right you can remove and add family

[@debbieblakley9761]

If you are unsure that someone else has wrong info.....how can that be checked? I have a 3rd gr-grandfather and everyone on the Internet has someone different for his parents. I have not found any "facts" or "proof" of who the parents actually really are. I am worried about all of the incorrect info. I have been researching for 30+ years.

[@GenealogyTV]

Hi Debbie. The best we can do is to make our tree the best it can. If you find records or documentation that shows a different story, write it up in a proof statement... add it to your tree... and maybe share it with those who you feel are incorrect, but tread softly. I don't bother reaching out to others... they usually find the truth in my tree.

[@brendakrans1937]

Please let me know how to get handouts

[@GenealogyTV]

Brenda, I'm sorry... I didn't see your comment. All handouts for Channel Members are in the blog posts on the COMMUNITY TAB on the KZbin Channel. Once there, scroll down and look for HANDOUT. CLICK READ MORE (just above the image of the video), then click the HANDOUT LINK. Don’t forget to download it with the down arrow in the upper right corner. Info Access level channel members have access to all handouts. To go to the Community Tab directly... kzbin.infoCommunity. Thanks for supporting Genealogy TV!

[@caroldunk.3481]

Once you start a tree can anyone change any info I have entered?

[@GenealogyTV]

Yes, but they have to have documents to show why.

[@caroldunk.3481]

@@GenealogyTV Thanks for reply. If Wiki Tree is like Family Search where they are also supposed to provide proof but they do not it is not worth my time. I made that error on Family Search. Some woman came and changed my GGGrandmother and added a Daughter married to my GGGrandfather. I changed it and she changed it back. So since the tree cannot be deleted from Family Search it remains that way. Sickening but true. Every time I see that tree I cringe. It has people that have no relation to me in any way. I will just keep watching your videos.

[@PaulBech1957]

@@caroldunk.3481 Hi Carol, I'm a WikiTree team member. WikiTree is a collaboration. That means not just working together, but ensuring accuracy. The best we can do that is to ensure we have document the sources of our information on each profile. The proof we place is on the main page of the profile so it is easily visible. This should prevent anyone making incorrect changes to a profile. There are plenty of processes in place for adjudication or intervention in the rare event there is a dispute (rather than getting into edit wars). There is little risk from incorrect changes but there are also great rewards when someone adds some information that you dont have. Everyone has a piece of the puzzle. WikiTree is just the place where all these pieces can come together.

[@GenealogyTV]

Thank you Paul for responding.

[@sr2291]

How do you sign up as Private?

[@GenealogyTV]

See if this helps www.wikitree.com/wiki/Help:Privacy

[@sr2291]

@@GenealogyTV Thank you.

[@tomroberts7221]

In my opinion, WikiTree is not user friendly. So far I'm not seeing its value.

[@ems5054]

There is a lot of information in Wikitree, but it is such a confusing mess. With it being 2024 now and the abilities out there with websites going to Wikitree is like going back to MS DOS. it is so outdated in style its not funny and becasue of that for the average person its a bunch of confusing nonsence. Time to bring it up to the 19th century!

[@ephraimwarrior6766]

familysearch is nice and free butt sucks case if some one gets a name out y0u tree and edit it a screw y0u tree up and many years a dr0p 0f names .

[@estelaporley]

please can you communicate in Spanish?WE need undestand your mesage!!!!!!

[@GenealogyTV]

I would love to, but I don’t speak Spanish

[@jillmorley5797]

YOu say FREE then you ask for money and other one who takes your tree and sells them- yes sells them when you put your info on here they charge for people to look - Beware

[@GenealogyTV]

I've not heard of anyone selling trees. But thanks for the heads up.

[@Holy_Moley]

I've been on there for years, and have never had to pay a cent. Visiting guests have ads on Wikitree, but as soon as you sign up, for FREE, you never see ads again. The only way I could have spent money, is if I choose to purchase one of their clothing items at their shop. I think Jill, you are more than likely confusing this with another site, because your description doesn't seem to match with anything that I have seen, using Wikitree for 4 years.

[@sharonrunolfsson4071]

I love WikiTree, recommend it a lot. however, this u-tube video is WAY TOO LONG. Can you break it into 8 to 10 minute segments?

[@GenealogyTV]

Yes... well... I did... there is another one coming out in a couple of weeks about the WikiTree Challenge. I know it was a long one, but many have appreciated learning how to use it. There is a lot there. Thanks for the feedback... I do appreciate it.

[@scorpio_moon]

I totally disagree, respectfully