How long have you been on WikiTree?
I joined WikiTree on 19 April 2018. Amazing how time has flown. I originally used WikiTree to add to my database (FTM), but I realized I needed a permanent place to keep my research for future generations. Boy, am I glad I chose WikiTree! Later, I saw that there were projects that could help me and I them. Some I have dropped out of, but others I’ve stuck with. My interests have changed over time.
What do you spend the most time doing on WikiTree?
Believe it or not, I spend most of my time on WikiTree greeting new members and helping those who email me for assistance. My time greeting varies from 12 to 20 hours a week, depending on what’s going on in life and how many shifts happen to be open when I’m available to fill in. Not many newbies contact me, but I want to be there for them as others in our community have been there for me. On occasion, I do work on my own family. And then, of course, I spend a few weekends a year participating in the thons which I thoroughly enjoy!
Which project or projects are you most involved in?
I am mostly involved with the Greeters Project, and I have the greatest team to work with, members and leaders. I have worked on the Worldwide Disasters Project, particularly the Easington Colliery Disaster, adding profiles and trying to connect them to the Tree. I also am a member of the England Project with a focus on Gulval Parish in Cornwall. And of course, as a member of the Integrators Project, I have the honor and privilege of hosting the Weekend Chat, probably one of my favorite WikiTree activities.
How can others help the Greeters Project?
For the Greeters Project, we are always in need of more greeters! We just don’t have enough to cover all the hours in the day. We have a short training program and only one hour a week greeting is required.
Every project on WikiTree could use help. The more members there are, the more the goals of the projects can be furthered and the more accurate our Tree will be.
What inspires you to contribute so much of yourself to WikiTree's mission?
This is an easy one. It’s the community spirit. I must admit that I am embarrassed when someone mentions the work I do, because I know in my heart that I would not be the WikiTreer I am without the willingness of community members to guide and assist me. Some members have become friends and mentors. At the moment, neither of my children or my grandson are particularly interested in genealogy, but some cousin years from now may appreciate the work I have done.
What is your favorite feature or function on WikiTree?
This is a hard one. Some features that I enjoy do not really assist me in my research or duties, like seeing my surname stats each month. I love seeing who I am kin to in the categories, especially cemeteries. I believe that one feature is more specific to certain location projects, their training programs. I went through both the England Orphan Trail and the Scotland Tartan trail. I learned more from my trainers than I ever could have on my own.
What feature or function would you most like to see added or improved?
I would love to be able to print out a descendancy report like my FTM program does (with sources). Also, I’d like to see a revamping of the profile creation page with the names all grouped together, prefix and suffix before and after, plus locations grouped with the dates of birth and death.
Do you have a story about how someone was helped through your participation on WikiTree?
I don’t have one specific story. Most of the time, the assistance I give is to new people joining WikiTree. Usually, it’s just a technical question, but on occasion, I do give genealogical leads for them to follow.
Do you have a story about how you were helped through the work of others on WikiTree?
I have so many that I would hate not to mention someone. However, I will answer by mentioning David Selman, my first unofficial mentor on WikiTree. Early after I joined, David saw that I was not making good profiles. He showed how to start sourcing them better. Over the four years I’ve been a member, David has known that he could always inform me, correct me, and encourage me. He has become more than a mentor to me, and I hope he knows how much I appreciate him.
When I have been stuck on something, asking on G2G has been a boon to me. So many people, whose skills in certain areas are much better than mine, have helped to solve mysteries, from reading difficult handwriting to finding proof for a relationship. An early example of this was my requests for and getting help from one member in finding sources for some of my German ancestry that dates back into the late 1500s.
Do you have any tips for someone who wants to get more involved in our community?
Joining any of our excellent projects is one of the best ways to get more involved. It may be a location project or a functional/topical project. For newer members, this is one of the best ways to learn about WikiTree and become a fully integrated member.
What could we do to inspire more people to participate in our mission?
One of those things we have already had excellent coverage for our mission. Last year’s challenges gave us exposure like never before. For those members that are part of a genealogical or historical society, a presentation is a wonderful way to introduce the public to our mission. Of course, the main thing we can do to inspire others to participate is to believe in the mission ourselves and work toward forwarding that mission. I’m in, root and twig!
