Feelings About FamilySearch

I haven't written about FamilySearch.org, not because it isn't a good site...it definitely is! The records and resources can be extremely beneficial. In fact, many sites offering hints do so to records found on FamilySearch. My biggest issue is with the shared family tree. It's really hard for me to get excited about a tree anyone can change. Those with established trees and years of research under their belt have undoubtedly used the site at some point. This post is more for those who may be looking for ways to get started with their journey, or for those who haven't visited the site in awhile.

Let's start on the bright side, FamilySearch is totally free. For many, this is understandably a big draw. If you're new to genealogy and want to get your feet wet without the limitation of tons of hints you can't actually view and without a monetary investment, this may well be the best site to start with. They have a huge repository of records! Some are indexed, some aren't (as with many sites). While many of their records are digitized, with more added every week, there are some records only viewable at their family history centers. I've personally never been to one of their centers, as the majority of records I've been interested in I've been able to view online (or there were transcribed results sufficient for my needs). If you live near a FamilySearch center, you can even get one-on-one help by visiting them. For a free site, FamilySearch absolutely has a lot to offer.

They go far beyond just trees, hints and record collections. A tremendous plus is the FamilySearch Research Wiki (no login required) Even if, like me, you don't care for the tree building on the site, the Wiki is truly an amazing resource. You'll find information on records, research and many other valuable resources. Even for seasoned researchers, the Wiki is definitely worth having as a tool in your genealogy toolbox. On their main site (login required) you can also connect with and message other members. I've done this a few times, and people have always been very pleasant and helpful. I also enjoy the Activities section. From time to time, I check out my potential famous relatives (though I have yet to connect any to my tree via my own research). There are also numerous other activities available to encourage both adults and children alike to engage in family history. FamilySearch also hosts and sponsors RootsTech. If you aren't familiar, it's "A family history conference. An on-demand learning library. A way to grow closer to the people, places, and stories that matter most." For the past few years, they've offered the ability to participate in the conference virtually, for free. If you've not signed up for RootsTech this year, I encourage you to do so here. 

And now for the downside. For me, this is a hurdle I can't get past. Unlike the big subscription sites (ex: Ancestry, MyHeritage, FindMyPast) where you control your tree and who has access to see and edit it, on FamilySearch your tree really isn't "yours". While you'll see your ancestors when you login, the entries are actually part of a larger shared family tree. Some call this type of tree a "one world tree". The data you add to your tree can be viewed and edited by others. The only privacy is for living people. You could shut down your computer one night, happy with your progress and research, only to log in tomorrow to find a bunch of changes you didn't make. It's simply how the system works. In theory, if everyone was detailed and citied everything it would be great. But it isn't reality. I've read countless posts by folks who simply get tired of trying to fix mistakes perpetuated by others. There is no "double check" to be sure others enter correct information. This often leads to duplicate people, incorrect family members, and facts without any citations. The accuracy of the tree is sometimes questionable. I absolutely do refer to my FamilySearch tree at times, but it's fairly infrequent. 

As a resource for records, research guidance and learning opportunities, the site is truly fantastic! The activities can be very engaging and certainly a great springboard for younger generations to learn about their ancestors. Being free is a huge bonus! There are very real costs associated with making so many records available. Whether you're accessing these records via hints on other sites, or directly on FamilySearch, we're all very lucky to have such a diverse collection of records made available to us. My only gripe is the shared tree and I really don't expect it to change. Doing so now would be a monumental undertaking. It's simply a limitation to be aware of, and to keep in mind when you're working on the site. If you're new to genealogy and haven't visited FamilySearch.org, I absolutely encourage you to check it out. Whether you decide to keep a tree there, or not, is a personal choice. The shared tree doesn't diminish the overall value of the site.

Image by stokpic from Pixabay