Hi, Before I cross over to WikiTree, is it better than FamilySearch Tree?

Question

I read that on FamilySearch anybody can change your tree.

Comments

That is pretty much true here as well.

Before you commit posting your work to any website you should think about what you want to be able to do with your data. For example, what sort of reports and charts do you want to create? How do you want to share information with your family?

You should have desktop genealogy software for your information. Personally, I would not rely on a website as the sole repository of my data, especially one where data can be changed.

I have posted information on three different websites. All offer different benefits, and all have drawbacks. My main data files are on my computer, which I back up periodically on an external hard drive. I have seen several website that were once popular disappear from the internet.

When I share data with family I generally provide it as a hard copy, bound report. I have found the majority of my family that is interested does not want to deal with a computer based genealogy.

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Welcome, Johan.  Your tree, that is who begat whom, where, and when, consists of a set of objective historical facts.  No one can change your tree.

Finding and reporting the correct facts requires skill, logic, intuition, access to historical records, and sometimes luck.  If you object to other people working alongside you to arrive at the correct facts, which might include correcting errors and omissions, then no shared 'one tree' project is right for you.  If you are open to collaborating and cooperating to discover and record accurate information, then I think WikiTree is the best place to do it.

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Ok thanks

What software would you recommend?

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I am currently transitioning to RootsMagic 7, but still also use PAF, since I have some rather large files, and have used it for many years (PAF is no longer supported).. RootsMagic 8 hopefully will be available soon.

One of the nice things about RootsMagic is that it imports PAF files directly.

The reports from PAF aren’t the best, but using Charting Companion, which reads the PAF file, far superior reports are possible.

Answer 1

Hi Johan, Wikitree is ONE world wide tree. The aim is to have one profile for each person. Whilst you will manager of profiles you create anyone can contribute to them, as long as they have sources to back it up. It is possible that there are already members of your family here on Wikitree and you will be able to connect to them.

I am sure you will find it a good place,, I certainly have.

Answer 2

If you like to work together, use eachothers knowledge and experience and not do double work, then WikiTree is the place to be.

If you want to work on your own, decide everything by yourself, do not want people cooperating on profiles and do not care about sourcing your profiles well: WikiTree is not the best place for you.

I came here as I really wanted a place where good sourcing is valued and required, and I am lazy so I do not like doing double work.

Comments

Ok thanks

My main concern is creating the family tree and somebody coming along and screwing it all up.

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All changes are logged, there is a very large community and many fact checking and data validation mechanisms around.

The only thing we sometimes see is that someone has an unsourced tree proving that they are related to someone important. Those types of links will be screwed up very quickly . My advice: just start slowly with some sourced profiles of your direct ancestors, ask your greeter if you are doing okay and then see if you like it.

Answer 3

Both the FamilySearch Family Tree and WikiTree are one worldwide tree (not several individual trees), aiming to have only one profile/page per person.  Both allow editing by others, although I feel that WikiTree is the one which has a stronger insistence on sources to back up each edit.

WikiTree also caters for the more creative soul by providing categories, stickers, and narratives.

Comments

Ok thanks