Family Tree
I just found this Ancestry site yesterday, signed up and then typed in my great grandfather's name, then, after a couple more clicks up came a family tree going back centuries. How was all this information put together, is it automatic or has some distant relative, who I don't know, been working on it? I know zilch about ancestry tracing but I'm very curious how all information about my family was all in one place. If anyone knows the answer I'd be very grateful.
Best Answer
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Maurice
Welcome to both, "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch'; and, this "Community.FamilySearch" Forum.
That is just so great, that you found your Great Grandmother; and, your "Ancestral" Lines on that side, going back all those Generations, in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.
You are not alone ...
We were all new once ...
I am just another 'lowly' User/Patron ...
'FamilySearch'; basically, originally the "Genealogical Society of Utah", has been operating for over 125 Years.
"Family Tree" [and, its predecessors, "New.FamilySearch"; and, the original Manual ("Hard-Copy" Paper) Methods - (eg. Family Group Records; Pedigree Charts; etc); plus, the "International Genealogical Index" (IGI); and, the like), of 'FamilySearch', is a culmination, of Years of work, of Members of the Church (ie. their Genealogy/Family History); and, of late (these latter Years), includes the work, of MANY User/Patrons who are not member of the Church (ie. their Genealogy/Family History).
Deep down, we are ALL "Related" ...
And, there are MANY; Many; many, Users/Patrons, ALL working on the SAME "Ancestral" Lines ...
"Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch', is NOT, Your "Tree"; or, My "Tree", it is Our "Tree", one SINGLE "Tree" ...
Here an old 'standby' of mine, that I have previously proffered on occasion ...
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Most new (and, some old) Users/Patrons DO NOT understand the basic 'nature' and 'premise' of "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch', when they join in.
Please let me explain ...
We do not have our OWN "Tree" in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.
We ONLY have "Branches" (ie. Ancestral" lines), that are interconnected, in this SINGLE "One" World "Tree", for all of us, that is "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.
"Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch' is NOT like 'On-Line' "Websites" (eg. "Ancestry_com"; or "MyHeritage_com"; or, the like); and/or, 'standalone' personal (computer) programmes (eg, the OLD, now no longer supported, "PAF"; or, "Ancestral Quest"; or, the like).
We DO NOT have "Private"/"Personal" 'Trees' in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch' like other 'On-Line' "Websites"; and/or, 'standalone' personal (computer) programmes.
We do not even, own; or, manage; and, are NOT even responsible for, the "Deceased" individuals/persons in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.
And, most importantly ...
We DO NOT even, own; or, manage; and, are NOT even responsible for, Our OWN "Deceased" Ancestors/Family/Relatives in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.
"Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch' is built on a "Open Edit" Platform - hence, why any registered User/Patron can "Edit" (ie. Add, Delete; and/or, Change) ANY "Deceased" individual/person in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.
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Basically ...
"Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch', is a collaborative effort by ALL of us.
MISTAKES, there are MANY ...
DUPLICATES of individuals/persons (and, Families), there are MANY ...
We ALL make MISTAKES ...
NONE of us are PERFECT ...
That is what WE are ALL try to address/fix ...
The best thing to do, is to just, ENJOY being PART of, this this SINGLE "One" World "Tree".
And, if you wish, contribute, where you can.
I have made contact with (and, even met with, in person) EXTENDED "Living" Family/Relatives, ALL around the various Countries and Unions of World, that I had not even known that I even had, through the likes of, "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch'; "Ancestry_com"; and, "MyHeritage_com".
The 'catch cry', of 'FamilySearch", was once ... "Where Generations Meet" ...
I always like to add ... "BOTH, the LIVING; and, the DEAD" ...
By the way ...
Be warned ...
Genealogy/Family History, is a "Disease" ... but, such a wonderful "Disease" ...
Once you 'catch it' (ie. start), there is NO going back ...
So ...
That Said ...
Short Answer, to your 'Question' of ... How was all this information put together?
The COLLECTIVE efforts of MANY of us, just like yourself.
Good Luck, on your "Journey", into Genealogy/Family History ...
Enjoy.
Just my thoughts.
Brett
ps: From one, who has been at this, since I was a young Child ... some x60+ Years on ...
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Answers
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Thanks Brett.
I suspect you are correct in saying:
"Genealogy/Family History, is a "Disease" ... but, such a wonderful "Disease" ...
Once you 'catch it' (ie. start), there is NO going back ..."
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😀
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Hello @MauricePickering
Welcome to FamilySearch! You may be interested in reviewing a few facts about the website found through the "about" link:
While there may be some overlap in the information presented, here is a link to the Research Wiki article about familysearch.org:
Also, if you are interested, here is a link to our "Getting Started" page:
Best wishes to you!
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