Meet our Members: Russell Butler

Question

Hi everyone! 

It's time to get to know another one of our wonderful WikiTreers. This week's member is Russell Butler.

Russell became a Wiki Genealogist in August 2021. He is active in our Notables, US Black Heritage, and Canada projects.

When and how did you get interested in family history?

In high school and college, I conducted historical research for a governmental agency. When my father retired in 1985, I assisted him when he researched our family history. After my dad died in 2020, I inherited his research. I wanted to continue and expand my dad’s work.

What are some of your interests outside of genealogy?

I enjoy spending time with my family and traveling. 

What is your genealogical research focus?

My geographical focus is Massachusetts, Canada, England, France, Ireland, and Lithuania where my ancestors lived. More recently, I have worked on connecting individuals who are notables.

Are you are interested in certain surnames or locations?

As I have only limited information on my Lithuanian ancestors, among the surnames I am particularly interested are Korkus, Ķerbele, Pečulis, Pečule, and Butkas. 

Do you have a favorite ancestor?

One of my favorite ancestors is my fifth great-grandfather, Reuben Baker. A few days after the Battle of Lexington, Reuben went to Cambridge, Massachusetts where he enlisted with a company of the Massachusetts militia for the Continental Army. He served in Captain Richard Gridley's Company of Artillery and he was injured in the Battle of Bunker Hill.

Do you have a favorite genealogical discovery? 

In the Latvian Roman Catholic Church Books, I found the marriage register of my maternal grandparents, Staņislavs Korkus and Anna Mary Pečule.

A brick wall breakthrough story?

Several of my wife’s ancestors are Palatine immigrants. Working with the Palatine Migration Project helped in finding several additional ancestors on her line. 

What is your toughest brick wall currently?

Birth and parent information of my Butler immigrant ancestor, William Buttler remains my toughest brick wall.

How long have you been on WikiTree?

About 15 months. After my father passed away, I inherited the profiles he managed in May 2020.  However, it was not until September 2021 that I signed the Honor Code and became active on WikiTree. 

What do you spend the most time doing on WikiTree?

Originally, I worked on my ancestors, my wife’s ancestors, and my daughters-in-law’s ancestors.  For my descendants, I want to document their ancestors.

Most recently, I have worked on connecting individuals who are notable. I enjoy the challenge of connecting individuals.

Which projects are you most involved in?

I work with several projects including Notables, USBH, Canada, etc.  I work to connect and manage the profiles of individuals who are notable.

How can others help those projects?

Others should start by reviewing the projects’ website and connecting with a project leader. Projects need volunteers for many needs.  If you have an interest, I found that the projects will find ways for you to contribute to assist the project.

(interview continues in comments)

Comments

What inspires you to contribute so much of yourself to WikiTree? Do you consider your work here to be part of your legacy?

I started with and still use Ancestry.com for research. However, I found that many trees in Ancestry conflicted and often lacked verifiable sources. I like WikiTree because of the ability to collaborate for the common good. By adding and improving profiles on WikiTree, I assist as part of a great genealogy effort, WikiTree. While I had not previously thought about my work on WikiTree as part of my legacy, in retrospect, I believe that my contributions are a part of my legacy and I am glad to be a part of the effort.

What is your favorite feature or function on WikiTree?

WikiTree Sourcer is a great tool for sourcing profiles. 

What feature or function would you most like to see added or improved?

Location suggestions for date-appropriate locations should be updated so that the suggestions are correct.

Do you have a story about how someone was helped through your participation on WikiTree?

My assistance has been warmly received by many. I have received comments on my profile, in messages, in remarks in G2G, and in “Thank Yous.” Just recently, the daughter of a notable contacted me to thank me for merging, editing, and adding profiles for members of her line.  She said, “Thank you so much for getting that all organized. I admit, I am not good at WikiTree and could not for the life of me figure out how to merge the two, or whether they had already been merged or not.” While the changes may have been small to me, I understand that many times the changes will be significant to others. 

In re-writing the biography of John Hanson, I helped breathe life into an important individual whose efforts were seemingly lost over time. I feel that others will benefit from knowing about his contributions as an American founding father.

Do you have a story about how you were helped through the work of others on WikiTree?

I received help in using Ancestry Explorer. Using that App, I was able to not only identify ancestors, but also to find the roles those ancestors had in society.

Do you have any tips for someone who wants to get more involved in our community?

Start with what you know, which in my case were my relatives.  Once you have a lay of the land and know what you like, do not hesitate to reach out to project leaders and others.  A couple of my examples  – 

• After I found out about a one-place study regarding the Chebacco Parish, Massachusetts One Place Study, which is a location where my ancestors lived, I volunteered to assist with ministerial changes that needed to occur.  

• After expressing an interest in some hockey players, I led the effort to create a space regarding the 1st Stanley Cup Champion Team - Montreal Hockey Club.

As a result of my volunteering, I have learned a lot.  I am eager to go back with my newly gained knowledge like using WikiTree Sourcer, to improve and expand the profiles of my family members.

What could we do to inspire more people to participate in our mission?

I became a second-generation WikiTree member because I knew of my father’s work with WikiTree.  I believe that WikiTree users can help spread the news.  One way that I will spread the news - I will include my work in WikiTree in my family’s annual holiday mailing.   

When working on Ancestry, I do not recall receiving any information from Ancestry about WikiTree.  Creating outreach with providers like Ancestry and their users could result in many additional WikiTree users.  Part of that outreach should include the benefits of using WikiTree, Gedcoms files, and WikiTree Sourcer in addition to using the benefits of the providers.

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Hello Russell, I have very much enjoyed reading your background. Thank you so much for your contributions. We we are separated by 18 degrees; however, not through anyone truly in common. On the other hand, we are cousins! We are 9th cousins/1xr through MRCA John Stone (https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Stone-168) who came from Suffolk, England and died at Cambridge, Massachusetts. I found it of interest that you highlighted your 5th GGF of Cambridge and we have an ancestor in Common from Cambridge. I had the pleasure of meandering through the Old Burying Ground at Cambridge in 2019 and posted 2 photos on his biography.

Thank you for a very interesting Meet Our Members!

Answer 1

It was great learning more about you Russell! I am very grateful for your help as a part of the US Black Heritage Notables Team to improve profiles and make suggestions for the Connections Finder themes. It's can be so hard to sort out who might qualify each week so we can propose names.

Answer 2

LOVED your page on 1st Stanley Cup Champs.  Well written and recorded page.

Answer 3

Hello Russell and thank you for joining! It was good to learn about you and your journey's. I am in central Virginia area just outside of Charlottesville. Great to meet a 10th cousin. Enjoy the time!

Answer 4

Thank you Russell for your interesting work.  In this featured connection I found Celine Dion to be 8th cousin once removed and yourself a 9th cousin!

Answer 5

Congratulations, Russell, and thank you for all you do for our tree.  We're 9th cousins, twice removed, through a Richardson connection.  I enjoyed reading your interview.  Thank you, Eowyn, for introducing us to Russell and his work.