Hi everyone!
It's time to get to know another one of our wonderful WikiTreers. This week's member is Travis Dykhoff.
Travis became a Wiki Genealogist in November 2023. He's involved in several projects and recently became Project Coordinator for the North Dakota Project.
When did you get interested in genealogy?
At a young age I would hear my family members talk about our ancestors and the story of my 2nd great grandfather and 2nd great grandmother emigrating from Holland in 1908. I find it interesting that a photo of my family still is on display at Ellis Island to this day.
What is your genealogical research focus?
I have done genealogical research of my family, on and off. Now that I am older, I find myself not only researching my family but others as well. My research has consistently stayed the same, but I find myself assisting other people as well.
Are you are interested in certain surnames or locations?
I am partial to the surname I currently hold, Dykhoff. The research of my given surname will always be an interest to me and there is much work left to be done.
What is your toughest brick wall currently?
Right now, Dirck Dijckhoff is a real thorn in the side for me. A family member and myself have smacked straight into a brick wall for my 8th great grandfather. We feel that he is a direct descendant of patrician family Dieckhoff/Dyckhoff from Bremen, Germany. However, we can find proof at this time.
How long have you been on WikiTree?
I have only been a member since November 2023. I wanted to try WikiTree because it claimed to be a collaborative effort on a single-family tree. I started using the platform and really enjoyed it because of the level of moderation and volunteerism. I was tired of seeing multiple family trees on one site with conflicting information.
What do you spend the most time doing on WikiTree?
I still spend most of my time on my family tree since I am new and there was not much inputted prior to me doing so. However, I have branched out into several projects which take some of my time away from my family tree, but I enjoy it.
Which projects are you most involved in?
I am a member of several projects that I joined due to my research. The Netherlands Project is one of my favorites due to only being the 3rd generation being born in the United States and being a descendant of Holland. I enjoy that project because I learn something new everyday about where my family came from. There are very smart people in the project that are a wealth of knowledge.
What inspires you to contribute so much of yourself to WikiTree's mission?
I feel the unknown helps with my drive to learn more about history. I just want to document the facts because there is a plethora of information out there that is wrong in genealogy. (Just go to three different platforms and you will see three different answers.) Copy and paste, without research, is hurting people trying to find out legitimate information about their families. I do not do this for my legacy, just to help others.
Do you have any tips for someone who wants to get more involved in our community?
START SLOW! There is a lot to learn using this platform and I made some mistakes early on. Luckily, everyone here has been very friendly and helpful. Just remember everything you input on WikiTree will be viewed by someone, and you do not want to be the reason they receive false information that lacks the evidence or resources.
