New Member Q & A via Zoom (March 2024)

Question

Are you new/newish to WikiTree and encountering some challenges in growing your branches?  These Zoom sessions hosted by Betsy Ko are for you!  The sessions are always recorded so you can watch later at a convenient time.  However, there's nothing like learning in real time and getting to ask your specific questions.  

Our two sessions in March are scheduled for March 14th and 24th:

• Thursday, March 14th at 8 pm EDT/midnight UTC: https://wikitree.zoom.us/j/89526735957
• Sunday, March 24th at 11 am EDT/ 3 pm UTC: https://wikitree.zoom.us/j/89764167282

You can participate in several ways.  Each month we actively recruit one or two individuals to join each call who are willing to let us look at their profiles and talk about their WikiTree questions.  Ideally, those participating in this way would be:

• Up and running with creating profiles (even just a few!)
• Be curious about how things work on WikiTree
• Be willing to let us make some changes to the profiles they show us
• Be comfortable talking on camera

Please answer this post if you'd like to volunteer to be a featured guest!

You can also be on the Zoom call and ask any general questions you have or just listen along.

Hope to see you at one or both sessions!

Comments

I definitely need to watch this. I'm not sure if it's the amount of information on each page here that overwhelms me, but I feel lost here. I would like to upload my DNA so I'm assuming this will be covered. Thank you for offering this!

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Hello G,

It can definitely be overwhelming when you're first starting out on WikiTree; many people have expressed that.  But going slowly, sticking with it, and asking lots of questions got me through that difficult period.

Each session is tailored to the questions that are brought to the table.  We can definitely talk about DNA; be sure to let us know that you want a tutorial on how to add your DNA.  It would be a good idea for you to set up a free account at www.gedmatch.com in advance.  You upload your DNA there, not to WikiTree.  Then WikiTree references your GEDMATCH number.

See you soon!

Betsy

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Thank you!

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Yes hellooa! i'm the newtie; so bad i think, more nearer to quit an take off all info. but today i loggied on!  i've a nak for looking reading old obits since a teen. have no clue why that is. but i'm finding that i sure would like to delve into some prison, orphan, or mental hospital,  snark if you will. cold cased, genealogy. love to knit, & crochet. when i was apt to garden i'd read historical fiction. gave me an opportunity to see the history of 'an estate' later day after all the drama. so now ...

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Hi Julie,

I see you just joined in November.  Don't give up!  I think we can get you up and running tonight.  Hope to see you on the Zoom call.

Betsy

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Those times are probably meant to be EDT and not EST, right?

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Hello Matthew,

Yes, the times are EDT.  I've just corrected that within the post.  Sorry for the confusion.

Betsy

Answer 1

Bumping this up!

Answer 2

This month is looking funny for me. I can't make any promises, and I'll keep you posted on my availability.

Answer 3

I plan to attend and be available to answer questions regarding the US Black Heritage project, such as the 1880 Census project.

Answer 4

I can come to both sessions and would love to be a featured tree. I also have questions on how to participate in challenges.

Comments

Wonderful, Mona.  Looking forward to talking about your profiles tomorrow!

Betsy

Answer 5

I would love to participate as a Newbee.  Love to learn and have many questions.

Comments

Hi Lynne,

You've been busy since signing the Honor Code in February!  Belated welcome to WikiTree and we'll look forward to answering your questions tomorrow.

Betsy

Answer 6

Here in Washington State, we're on PDT.  I'm wondering tomorrow's zoom is really on EST (or EDT)?  I don't want to miss it by an hour.

Comments

Hi Katie,

Tomorrow's Zoom will be at 8 pm EDT.  My brain hadn't caught up with the time change at the time I originally wrote this post.  Apologies for the confusion and see you tomorrow!

Betsy

Answer 7

Hi! I'm not a new member but I consider myself a newbie as far as how things work and want to make sure I do things right. I'd be happy to volunteer my tree as a teaching tool. Benningfield-116

Comments

Hi Yvonne,

We use the term "new" flexibly.  Anyone who has questions is very welcome to join these sessions.  Looking forward to meeting you tomorrow!

Betsy

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Thank you, Betsy! I'll be attending the Sunday zoom as I have a prior commitment tomorrow. Hope that's okay!

Yvonne

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Totally fine, Yvonne.  Note: the next session is on Sunday the 24th, not this coming Sunday.  See you then!

Answer 8

I am a preschool-level Wiki Treer and my nervousness about adding sources is keeping me from making progress. I would like to attend and listen and learn. My passion is finding anything I can about those my ancestors enslaved - the Black Heritage Project. I just don't know enough about adding sources.... I am related to Lee and Jefferson, among other enslavers.

Comments

Hi Mary,

We always talk a lot about sources--where to find them and how to cite them on a profile.

It might be very helpful for you to add this free browser extension before the Q & A.  It's called Sourcer and it helps with both finding and citing sources:

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Space:WikiTree_Sourcer

Looking forward to meeting you!

Betsy

Answer 9

I am going to try and come but may be a little late as I have Grief Group Counseling Meeting to go to that ends at around 8. I have a few questions that need to be answered..

Chris

Comments

Hi Chris,

It's totally fine to come late.  See you tonight!

Betsy

Answer 10

Hi Betsy, I can take part on Sunday, March 24th.  I need all the help I can get!!  I understand setting up profiles, bio & sources.  I've had problems with Nebraska Challenge. How G2G operates?  I have not joined a project, yet.

I do like all the friendly people I have met.

Julia

Comments

Hi Julia,

I agree with you that WikiTreers are a delightful group. 

We can definitely talk about challenges, projects and G2G.  Be sure to put that in the chat as a question or just ask it out loud.

Take care until the 24th.

Betsy

Answer 11

I will watch Sunday. I am struggling. Veronica

Comments

Hi Veronica,

We'd love to have you join us on Sunday.  I wanted to highlight that the Sunday session is on March 24, not this coming Sunday the 17th.  11am EDT/3pm UTC

https://wikitree.zoom.us/j/89764167282

Cheers,

Betsy

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Betsy, I was sick yesterday.  Sorry to miss the Zoom meeting.  Hopefully next time!!

Julia

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Hi Julia,

Hope you're feeling better!  Make sure you're subscribed to @WikiTreers on YouTube and then you'll see the recording from Sunday's session once it's uploaded.

Betsy

Answer 12

If we can't make the sessions, will a recording be available?

Thanks

Alex

Comments

Hi Alex,

Yes; you can find the whole playlist here:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEqK4ICkQWXSDUTl5g3sN8r7aqi4bXa0k&si=d3tZSjI3b_p6kznr

Thanks,

Betsy

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Excellent, thanks

Answer 13

I am going to do my best to attend this LIVE. I've watched some of the recorded sessions, but know I'd get more out of the live sessions. I've been around a while, but have not done a lot. My challenge - cleaning up a GEDCOM Import... adding sources and deleting the junk. I'd be happy to be a featured tree if Gedcom cleanup is a desirable example.

Comments

Hi Karen,

While it's great to have asynchronous learning options, the give and take of real time interaction is always best.  It would be wonderful to use your one of your profiles to demonstrate GEDCOM cleanup.  Thanks.  

To give you a heads up, I'm going to recomend that everyone add the WikiTree Browser Extension.  It's free and you can find out more here:

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Space:WikiTree_Browser_Extension

WBE is especially valuable for GEDCOM cleanup.

See you tonight!

Betsy

Answer 14

I am very new to wikitree. I have tried to enter my tree and dna. I don’t know if I have done correctly or not. And some reason I see my great grandfather listed in the dna. How can that be? Hope to see you Thursday night.

Comments

Hello D,

We can definitely talk about DNA tonight.  The system will show theoretical percentages, particularly if some of your DNA matches are already on WikiTree.

See you on Zoom!

Betsy

Answer 15

I'm looking forward to this. I have an extensive tree elsewhere but have been stonewalled trying to get almost any of my information onto WikiTree. Other people own the information about my close family members and don't respond to my requests for Trusted status. I completed the unresponsive manager form and still heard nothing from WikiTree. I then messaged one of the help team members and got no response from them, either. I had decided to give up when I got the notice of this meeting, so I'm giving it one more try. I would love to use a resource where the data can be trusted, but so far it's been a total bust for me.

Comments

Hi Bill,

I'll see if I can help.  Please look for a private message from me; you'll receive an email notification.

Thanks,

Betsy

Answer 16

I'll see u in 24 mins Love these I lean a lot just by listening. I should have done when I first signed up. See you SOON

Comments

It was so fun to put a face to your name, Anne.  I'm glad you made it last night!

Answer 17

I really want to join in on one of your zoom sessions as I have so much to learn, but your Thursday 8pm is my Friday 12 midday (middle of the work day), and your Sunday 11am is my Monday 3am. Do you change the days/ times so others around the world can join?

Comments

Hi Bev,

I understand.  Let me send you a private message to explore some options.

Betsy

Answer 18

Betsy, in one of your previous Q&A sessions, you explained how to add personal categories. I tried to do this myself, but was unsuccessful. Is this something you could demonstrate again tomorrow? I'd like to use personal categories to help me keep track of which profiles need more work, as I participate during the Connect-a-thon. Thanks!

Comments

I have LOTS of personal categories so we can certainly go through that tomorrow.

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Hi Pam,

Of course we can; I've added it to our list for today.  You can also rewatch the previous demonstration here:

https://www.youtube.com/live/5Zxhd5DFy1Q?si=8ub_nxcR9MDUwlts&t=3388

This link will take you right to the start of the tip segment.

Cheers,

Betsy

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Thank you, that was very helpful. I think I get it now!

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Excellent, Pam.  I love personal categories!