Chapter 17: Family Trees
We have spent a lot of time learning about genealogical concepts and record
types. You have also learned the skills of working with all types of databases, both textbased and digitized images online, including how to use the various templates, structure
searches, use wildcards, and more. Like most people, you will remember all of this when
you continually work with it. However, don’t be shy about returning to this book again
and again to refresh your memory about the ins and outs of using the immense and
dynamic Ancestry.com databases. With more than 23,000 databases and more than 5
billion names in those databases – and still growing – you will find that the Table of
Contents and the Index will help you find just the information you need.
As you search the databases and locate records, you will no doubt want to print
them for your paper files, save them into your personal Member Tree, and review those
records you may have saved in your Shoebox at Ancestry.com. Ultimately, however, you
will want to organize all of your data in a genealogical database. You may also want to
share your research findings in database format with other researchers.
In this chapter, we will discuss the family tree facilities at Ancestry.com and you
will learn how to use them to maximum advantage in your research and in your personal
organization of data. In Chapter 18, we will continue by exploring the Ancestry
Community, a compilation of tools and facilities that you can use to collaborate and share
information with other researchers, thus extending your knowledge and research.
Understanding the Family Trees at Ancestry.com
Ancestry.com has been around for a number of years, as you probably know.
Over time, it has grown in many directions. One of those areas and a primary goal of the
service have including the facilitation of collaboration and information sharing by
genealogists. One method of doing that was to allow genealogists to upload their
electronic version of their family tree to the Ancestry.com Web site. This was and is done
by using a GEDCOM file.
GEDCOM is an acronym for Genealogy Electronic Data COMmunications. A
GEDCOM file is an electronic file that has been created by and exported from a
genealogy database program on your PC or Macintosh computer. The GEDCOM file is
produced to a standardized format that allows each piece of data to be uniquely coded
and identified. When the GEDCOM file is produced by the user of one genealogy
database program, such as Family Tree Maker, the format can then be imported into any
other genealogy database program, such as Roots Magic, The Master Genealogist,
Legacy Family Tree, and Family Gathering, to name just a few. The imported program
can then be opened, formatted to the second genealogy database’s program, and the data
will all appear in the same basic organization. GEDCOM files do not always
accommodate every piece of data, nor do they allow for the transport of graphics and
photographs. However, this file export and import capability, using a standardized file
format (the GEDCOM standard) allows us to download and read other researchers’
database contents and allows us to upload and share our own with others as well.
What you should understand about GEDCOM files at Ancestry.com is that these
files are voluntarily submitted by Ancestry users like yourself. We take all files "as is"
and cannot guarantee the completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the information
contained in them. You don’t really know the quality of the research performed and
documented by another research. Therefore, you would be foolish to “assume” anything
about information in someone else’s GEDCOM file unless you recheck the data and
sources for yourself. However, the information found in the GEDCOM produced by
someone else could provide invaluable clues for finding, corroborating, and/or correcting
your own data.
There are several family trees at Ancestry.com. This may seem redundant and
confusing, but it really is not. Over the years, Ancestry.com has evolved in what it has
allowed to be uploaded and shared between users, and new features and functions have
been added. In the next few sections of this chapter, we will explore and come to
understand each of the types of family trees. In the meantime, please look at Figure 17-1.
This is the main screen for the Family Trees tab at Ancestry.com.
Figure 17- 1: The Family Tree Page
We will be exploring this screen in detail. However, please note that there are four
main sections of this screen.
1. My Trees – This box will be present and contain any of the personal
Member Trees that you create. More about Member Trees later in this
chapter.
2. Search for Family Trees Template – This template is used to search for
all types of family trees.
3. OneWorldTreeSM – This box on the right-hand side of the screen allows
you to look at records for the last couple of people whose information you
have searched, added, or changed in the OWT. Ancestry.com keeps track
of the last 5 people whose records you have viewed. If you click on the
link labeled ‘Recently viewed people,’ a page with links to those last 5
people’s pages in the OWT will be displayed. If you Go to all OWT
activity, the people for whom you performed any OWT recently will be
displayed on a page.
4. Family Tree Resources – This box contains several important links for
you. The Family Tree Tutorial is a multimedia slide show that will help
you get started working with family trees. The link to ‘Search Ancestry
World Tree’ takes you specifically to a search template for that facility.
(See below.)
The Ancestry World Tree
Ancestry.com began its collection of GEDCOM files with a database titled the
‘Ancestry World Tree.’ Over time, this collection grew by millions of names contributed
by users of the Ancestry.com site. When Ancestry.com acquired the Family Tree Maker®
genealogy database software, the company also acquired GEDCOM files that had been
created and contributed to the former owners’ company. These were added to Ancestry
World Tree. Then, several years ago, MyFamily.com, Inc., became the new owners of all
of Ancestry.com and subsequently became the funding support behind RootsWeb.com.
RootsWeb had its own collection of GEDCOM files that users likewise had contributed
there. The RootsWeb.com family tree database was called the ‘WorldConnect Project.’
The GEDCOM family tree files for Ancestry World Tree and the WorldConnect Project
ultimately were merged together to form a single body of content. That content is still
held at Ancestry.com as the Ancestry World Tree and at RootsWeb.com as the
WorldConnect Project. While the content is identical, the format of the displays in the
two systems is slightly different. It is free to search the contents of the Ancestry World
Tree.
To specifically search the Ancestry World Tree, click on the link labeled ‘Search
Ancestry World Tree’ in the Family Tree Resources box on the right of the screen shown
in Figure 17-1.
The OneWorldTree SM
Exclusive to Ancestry, the OneWorldTreeSM service gathers family trees and
family history records for millions of people and then displays the most probable birth,
death and marriage information for your ancestors. OneWorldTree (OWT) searches
family trees submitted by other genealogists as well as original documents (such as
census records) and displays the data located in a tree format.
The purpose of the OneWorldTree service is to decrease the difficulties some
users may encounter when trying to assemble their own family trees. This saves time
required in researching by providing all pertinent records in one location. No longer must
one filter through dozens of records one by one to determine if each one pertains to one's
ancestor. This also allows users to quickly validate or discount research they find.
OneWorldTree takes family trees submitted by Ancestry members and "stitches"
them together with family trees and historical records from other sources. OneWorldTree
identifies probable name matches between these sources and displays consolidated results
in a worldwide family tree that can help you with your family history research.
OneWorldTree can give you hints about your family history — but not
necessarily facts. There are a number of sources consolidated in OneWorldTree and it’s
impossible to know if there are errors in member-submitted family trees. Also,
occasionally the computer algorithms in OneWorldTree can incorrectly link people with
similar names.
In addition to the overall community tree, OneWorldTree also maintains the
original family trees and source records submitted. See original source information for
any person in a tree on the "edit person" page. Use the "connection service" if you want
to anonymously contact the Ancestry member who submitted a family tree or record.
In case you are concerned about privacy of information for living people,
Ancestry.com applies the same level of privacy that the U.S. government uses for U.S.
federal census records. OneWorldTree never shares information about living family
members born after 1930. Any information in your family tree regarding living people
born after 1930 will show up on your personal family tree but will remain hidden from
other Ancestry members. Also, OneWorldTree was created to let Ancestry members
benefit from the combined research efforts of the community. Even so, your personal
identity always remains private unless you choose to share it with other Ancestry
members on your own.
About the AWT and the OWT
The AWT and the OWT are predecessors of the Member Tree, the current
facility. While you can still add information to the OWT, you can no longer upload
GEDCOM files to either of these family tree types. GEDCOM uploads are only accepted
as one of the two forms of creating a personal Member Tree, which I will describe next.
However, there is a new utility that allows you to import your OWT file into the Member
Tree if you prefer.
Your Personal Member Tree
Ancestry.com has now evolved its family trees facility into an “in-network” or
“online” tree. What that means is that you can load one individual or your entire database
via GEDCOM file to the Ancestry.com site. You can then search the thousands of
databases to locate records that support or further your research, and then you can
actually link the records to the individuals within your tree. It is a very exciting concept!
Before we talk about searching for family trees, let’s discuss the process of
creating and maintaining a personal Member Tree.
Create and Maintain Your Personal Tree
Figure 17-2 shows a box labeled ‘My Trees.’ This is the beginning point for
setting up your own Member Tree. You will notice that I have two personal trees there.
The first, labeled ‘GGM – 4 October 2006,’ was created from uploading a GEDCOM file
of my complete genealogy database on that date. Since that time, I have added to and
edited data. The second, labeled ‘Holder Tree,’ consists of individual records I input, and
then data I have added, records I have linked, and other editing work I have done.
Figure 17- 2: The My Trees Box
At the top of the My Trees box is a link to an excellent Member Trees Tutorial
and to a number of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). At the bottom are three links:
1. Start a New Tree – Click here to begin entering data from scratch for a
new family tree.
2. Upload a Tree – Click here to upload your GEDCOM file.
3. What’s a GEDCOM? – You already know this, but read more about
GEDCOM files here. NOTE: GEDCOM needs to be capitalized on
this link!
Let’s take a look at the first database in my list. When you click on the tree name,
you will see the same page that you last worked with the last time you were in the tree.
Figure 17-3 shows the tree for my grandmother, Elizabeth Holder, and her ancestors
whom I have identified. Please read the tabs and links across the top of the page. You
may:
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Go to the Home Person you defined in your Member Tree;
View the Person’s individual record;
View the Family unit;
View the Tree, beginning with this person in the #1 position; and
View the Index of the entire database.
In addition, you can edit the person’s information, print the image on your screen, find
records in databases at Ancestry.com, and you can search for another individual in your
Member Tree database. Let’s look at the tabs first.
Figure 17- 3: Pedigree Tree View for Elizabeth Holder
Elizabeth Holder’s box shows her birth and death dates. The magnifying glass
icon when clicked will search for source records in the Ancestry.com databases. Figure
17-4 shows a portion of the search results specifically for Elizabeth. In her case, the first
and the last record results listed apply to her. I can click on a fact and go through the
process of linking the record to her in the Member Tree. If there is a fact of which I am
unsure, I can always save it to my Shoebox for later review.
Figure 17- 4: Search for Source Records Results
Back in Figure 17-3, the little green leaf in Elizabeth Holder’s box and the boxes
of others on this pedigree tree view screen indicates ‘Grow your tree,’ and, when you
hover your mouse over the leaf, additional information about the number of possible
source records and number of possible other matches in the OneWorldTree, as you see in
Figure 17-5. You can click on a link and the search results screen is displayed. You can
then examine the results and, if appropriate, link those records to the person. It’s very
simple!
Figure 17- 5: Additional Possibilities to Grow Your Tree.
For other people in this pedigree tree view, you may also hover your mouse
pointer over the name and see more information. You may click to search for records.
However, for every person shown, you can click on the link labeled ‘Go to person view.’
This has the same effect as clicking on the Person tab at the top of the chart if you have
the person at the #1 leftmost position of the chart.
Beneath Elizabeth’s box is an arrow to choose a spouse or child. When I click
there, a list is displayed as shown in Figure 17-6 with links I can click on to view that
person in the pedigree chart. Had she been married multiple times, all spouses included in
my database and children would be shown. Click the arrow again to close this window.
Figure 17- 6: Choose Spouse or Child List Box
In the same manner, if you want to move up the tree to another generation, an
arrow to the right of a name on the right side of the screen indicates more generations.
Click on the arrow and the chart will change to display more people.
At any time that you discover additional people, such as a father or mother, you
can click the link in the appropriate box and start entering the data you have discovered.
If you click on the tab labeled ‘Person’ at the top of the screen, the record for that
individual is displayed. Figures 17-7 and 17-8 show the top and bottom have of the
Person screen for Elizabeth Holder. You can add, edit, and change data, search for
sources, add photographs, stories, and more on this screen.
Figure 17- 7: Person View (top)
Figure 17- 8: Person View (bottom)
Click next on the Family tab at the top of the screen and the image shown in
Figure 17-9 is displayed. You can edit information, add a spouse, add a child, add other
life events, and more on this screen.
Figure 17- 9: Family View Screen
The tab labeled ‘Index’ gives you access to a full index of the database. You can
browse through the entire index, or enter the first letter(s) of a surname to quickly go to
that group of names. You can even enter one or more letters in the first name field and
the index will find and list every person whose first name begins with the letter or letters
you entered. Figure 17-10 shows an example of this. I entered wil, thinking I would find
William, Wil, Wilbert, Wilbur, and more. I was also rewarded with the surname Wilson
and the name of a female collateral relative, Willa Jane Alexander. As you can see,
shortening the first name or surname can present you with results you may not have
considered.
Figure 17-10: The Index Screen
If I enter the maiden name of my grandmother, Elizabeth Holder, and lick the
Find button, the search result shown in Figure 17-11 is displayed.
Figure 17-11: Search Result for an Exact Name in the Index
The name is a link and both the birth and death dates are shown. However, when I click
on the link to Holder, Elizabeth, the same Family View screen shown in Figure 17-9 is
displayed.
Let’s now go back to the top of the Family View screen. (See Figure 17-12.)
Since I arrived here this time by having clicked on Elizabeth Holder’s name in the Index,
I see a small pencil icon with a link labeled ‘Edit Elizabeth Holder.’
Figure 17-12: Top of Family View Screen Showing Options
When I click on that link, another screen is displayed, shown in Figure 17-13. The box at
left contains facts or events that already exist in my record for Elizabeth Holder. The
large arrow indicates the fact currently selected, but you can select another fact or you
can choose to add a new life event. In the example illustrated in Figure 17-13, Name
information is displayed.
Figure 17-13: The Edit Screen for Elizabeth Holder
She was known by her maiden name, Elizabeth Holder. She was also called by
nicknames of “Lizzie Bep” or “Bep.” She also was known by her married name,
Elizabeth Holder Weatherly. I can edit each of these as necessary by clicking on one of
two links. If I click on the orange Select arrow under the Alternatives list, that action will
result in that alternate name replacing the Preferred Name at the top of the box. If,
however, I merely click on the pencil icon or the Edit link, another box is displayed in
Figure 17-14.
17- 14: Edit Name (Alternate) Box
In this case, I selected the first Alternate name to edit. As you see, I can edit the existing
information and save the changes. I also have the option of adding a source for the
information or new alternative name.
If I choose to add source information and click that link, a new screen is
displayed, as shown in Figure 17-15. I can either add a source manually or I can find a
source record on Ancestry.com to support the fact. The source information on that record
will be filled in on this screen. If, however, I choose to add a source citation manually, I
can either add all the information by typing all the data, including a Web address (URL)
if the information was found on the Web, or I can use the drop-down list in the Source
box. That list has been created from the source citations that were uploaded in my
GEDCOM file from my genealogy database program. Figure 17-16 shows the opened
drop-down Source box from my Member Tree file.
Also in the Edit Name box, I have the option to Add a new life event. The screen
presented will contain only a drop-down list of life events. Once you select one, the
remainder of the box will be filled with empty fields that contain the common data used
to document such an event. In the example shown in Figure 17-17, I entered educational
information about Elizabeth Holder. When I click the Submit button, that record will be
added to her individual profile and becomes a part of my database. I can then go to that
record and add source information.
Likewise, at any point, I can Remove the person from my database. If I click on
the red X or the link beside it, I will be asked if I am sure I want to delete the person. I
can respond Yes or No. If I choose Yes, that person and all of his or her data will be
removed. Therefore, please be careful not to remove someone’s data you may need or
want later.
Looking at Figure 17-12 again, you also have the choice to search for records at
Ancestry.com. This option is available somewhere on the Individual View, Family View,
and Tree View page.
We’ve already discussed the ‘Find a person in tree’ choice. This is like the index.
It allows you to search for an individual and select them to view and edit as you have
seen.
Take a look at the top of Figure 17-7 again. In addition to links for ‘Edit Person’
and ‘Find Records,’ there are two other choices. The first is labeled ‘View Research
Note.’ When you click this link, a box is displayed that contains notes that you have
either uploaded as part of your GEDCOM file or manually added over time. Figure 17-18
shows a portion of the notes for Elizabeth Holder. It is important that you know that the
research notes included in your Member Tree cannot by viewed by anyone visiting your
tree. They are your personal, private notes.
The other option on Figure 17-7 is the ‘Comments.’ By clicking here, you can add
one or more comments about the individual.
17- 19: Comments Screen
These comments can be viewed by anyone you have authorized to visit your
Member Tree unless the person is marked as or presumed to be living. That presumption
by the Ancestry.com database is based on one of two factors:
1. the person is marked in the GEDCOM database you uploaded as
PRIVATE or LIVING; or
2. the person does not have a death date in your database and was born in
1930 or later.
Remember that both you and other visitors may leave notes in your tree. You will receive
an e-mail each time a new comment is added. You may authorize individuals to view
your tree at any time by clicking the green ‘Share My Tree’ icon on many of the Member
Tree screens. When you do so, you may invite individuals by name and e-mail address or
other Ancestry.com users to view information. You may also delete their authorization to
view your tree at any time. You have the control and option to delete comments that you
input or that other people leave on your screen.
Fire 17-2 shows a link labeled ‘Manage Tree’ to the right of each tree in the My
Trees box. Likewise, on every screen where the tree name appears, you will see a link
after the name labeled ‘view tree info.’ If you click on these links, a screen like the one in
Figure 17-20 will be displayed. It is here that you control information about and access to
your Member Tree. You have the following options:
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Tree Name – You may change the name of your tree at any time.
Tree Description – You may enter descriptive information about the tree.
For example, if you have created a tree for just one line, you may want to
indicate who is included. Also, if the tree is a work in progress and you do
not have source citations for all the facts, you may also indicate that so
that other researchers do not look for sources or contact you for them.
Delete Tree – You may delete the tree from Ancestry.com at any time.
This is irrevocable.
# of Users Invited – If you have invited individual researchers to view
your tree, you will see a number here. Likewise, you may click the link to
authorize and invite them here.
Is the Tree Public? – You can maintain the information in your Member
Tree as private – as a work in progress. Alternatively, you can change that
status and make the tree publicly available for others to see.
Date Last Modified – The date on which you last added, deleted, or made
changes to your Member Tree.
# of People in Tree – The number of individuals included in your
Member Tree.
# of Photos Attached to Tree – This is the number of photographs or
other graphics you have uploaded and attached to people in your Member
Tree.
Home Person –You can specify the person to whose record you would
like to always return when you are in your Member Tree. You can specify
anyone or no one. Remember that a Member Tree will always reopen to
the last record you viewed.
Who is “me” in this Tree – You can identify where your own record is in
the Member Tree. However, you may create a tree in which you are not
included. You can also specify ‘set to none.’
Upload Your GEDCOM File
You can, as we have discussed, upload your own GEDCOM file to create a
Member Tree, if you like. It is an excellent way to gain exposure for your own research.
You will find that other researchers will find your file, examine the content, and may
contact you with questions or offer to share additional information.
To begin the process of creating a GEDCOM file and exporting it from your
genealogy database program, please open that program, go to the Help file, and search for
GEDCOM and/or Export a File. The Help area should provide detailed instructions
concerning the procedure you should follow to create an exported GEDCOM file.
Many programs will compress a GEDCOM to make it easier to store, either for
backup or for export. These files must be unzipped before they can be used or submitted.
If you need a utility to unzip a file you can go to <http://www.winzip.com/download.cgi>
and download one for the PC. Macintosh users can use ZipIt, and that program can be
downloaded at <http://www.maczipit.com/>.
Next, visit the Ancestry.com site to read the Submission Agreement, located at
<http://www.ancestry.com/trees/awt/subagreement.htm>.
Start a Member Tree from Your OneWorldTree Information
Ancestry.com is always striving to make it easier for you to work with the site.
One of those ways is to allow you to use information you may have submitted to the
OneWorldTree in the past and use that to start your Member Tree. You don’t need to
create a new GEDCOM file, unless of course your database is more up-to-date than the
data in your OneWorldTree entry. It really is a simple process.
On the right side of the Family Trees screen shown in Figure 17-1, there is a box
labeled ‘Did You Know?’ Click on the link there to start the process of importing your
OneWorldTree file to create a Member Tree.
The screen shown in Figure 17-21 shows you the steps required to complete the
process.
1. Select a Starting Point – OneWorldTree is one large continuous family tree. To
extract your unique family tree from OneWorldTree, select a "home" person, and
we will attach to that person all the other people in OneWorldTree that you have
added.
2. Enter a Name for Your New Member Tree – Enter a name for your new
Member Tree, and select the privacy settings (public or personal) you feel
comfortable with.
3. That's It! – The information you added to OneWorldTree will be added to your
Member Tree. Remember: All the information you have added to OneWorldTree
will remain in OneWorldTree (and, of course, information about living
individuals will remain hidden).
Click on the Start Now button to begin. If, however, you have never added anyone to the
OneWorldTree, you will have to use the GEDCOM or manual entry option.
Summary
Ancestry.com is the leader in making family trees available to search for clues
and for links to other researchers. In addition, the new Member Tree is a tremendously
powerful tool. It allows you to create and store your family tree online, and then to share
the details with others in a more complete and dynamic fashion than ever before. By
making your tree publicly available, you will suddenly find that researchers from around
the world will be viewing it and offering you data, advice and guidance, and
opportunities to collaborate together on common genealogical lines.
It is an exciting time to be working with your family tree, and Ancestry.com leads
the way in technology by making the in-network Member Tree facility available.
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