Step 9. Contact other relatives and descendants through ancestry website or a Genealogy forum

Welcome back to this installment of the 22 Steps in Researching Your Family Tree!

Why did the genealogist go to the cemetery with a pencil and paper?

To trace his roots!

Genealogy is a fascinating pursuit that allows us to explore our family history and connect with our ancestors. As we delve deeper into our family trees, we often discover that we have many relatives and descendants who share our interest in genealogy. Fortunately, the rise of technology has made it easier than ever to connect with others who may hold valuable information about our family history. In this article, we will explore the strategy of contacting other relatives and descendants through ancestry websites or genealogy forums. By utilizing these resources and following some simple tips, we can uncover new leads, gain valuable insights, and make exciting discoveries in our family history research.

Genealogy can be an exciting and fulfilling pursuit as we search for our roots and learn about the lives of our ancestors. With the rise of technology, it has become increasingly easier to connect with other relatives and descendants who may hold valuable information about our family history. In this article, we will discuss the strategy of contacting other relatives and descendants through ancestry websites or genealogy forums.

Ancestry Websites

Ancestry websites, such as Ancestry.com, have become popular resources for researching family history. These websites allow users to create family trees, search historical records, and connect with other users who may be researching the same family lines. Ancestry.com has a feature called DNA testing, which can provide users with information about their ethnic background and help them connect with distant relatives who share the same DNA.

One of the key benefits of using Ancestry.com is the ability to connect with other relatives and descendants who may have additional information about your family history. You can send messages to other users who are researching the same ancestors and share your research findings with them. This can lead to valuable insights and new leads to follow in your research.

If you’re looking to connect with other relatives and descendants through online genealogy websites, there are several strategies you can use to make the most of your research. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. Use DNA Testing: DNA testing has revolutionized genealogy research, allowing you to connect with distant relatives who share the same DNA. Ancestry.com has a feature called DNA testing, which can provide users with information about their ethnic background and help them connect with distant relatives. By testing your DNA and connecting with others who share the same DNA, you may be able to uncover new leads and make exciting discoveries in your family history research.
2. Create a Detailed Profile: When using genealogy websites, it’s important to create a detailed profile that includes information about your family history research. This can help you connect with other users who may be researching the same family lines. Be sure to include as much information as possible, such as names, dates, and locations of your ancestors.
3. Use Message Boards: Many genealogy websites have message boards where users can post questions or information about their family history research. These message boards can be a great way to connect with other users who may have valuable information about your family history. Be sure to check these message boards regularly and respond to any messages that may be relevant to your research.
4. Join Genealogy Groups: Many genealogy websites have groups or communities that are organized by geographic region, surname, or research interest. Joining these groups can be a great way to connect with other users who share your interests and may have valuable information about your family history.
5. Reach Out to Other Users: When you find other users who may be researching the same family lines, don’t be afraid to reach out to them. Send them a message and introduce yourself, and ask if they would be interested in sharing information or collaborating on research. Be respectful and provide them with information about your research and what you are looking for.

By utilizing these strategies, you can make the most of your research on genealogy websites and connect with other relatives and descendants who may hold valuable information about your family history.

Step-by-Step Guide using Ancestry.com

1. Sign in to your Ancestry.com account. If you do not have an account, create one by signing up for a free trial.
2. Navigate to the “Search” tab on the top of the Ancestry homepage.
3. Enter the name of your ancestor into the search bar, along with any other relevant information such as birth or death dates or locations.
4. Review the search results and select any relevant records, such as census records or marriage records, to add to your ancestor’s profile.
5. Click on the “Family Tree” tab to view your family tree.
6. Navigate to the ancestor that you are researching and click on their name to view their profile.
7. Scroll down to the “Family Members” section and click on the “View all” button to view all of your ancestor’s family members.
8. Look for any family members that you have not yet added to your family tree.
9. Click on the name of the family member to view their profile.
10. If the family member has already been added to another user’s family tree, you may be able to view the tree by clicking on the “View Tree” button.
11. If the family member has not been added to any other trees, you can use the “Search” tab to try and find additional records or information about them.
12. If you find any new information or potential leads, make a note of it and consider reaching out to other users who may be researching the same family lines.
13. To reach out to other users, navigate to the “Message Center” tab on the top of the Ancestry homepage.
14. Click on the “Compose Message” button to send a message to another user.
15. Be sure to follow the tips and strategies outlined in this article when contacting other users.

By following these steps and utilizing Ancestry.com’s search and family tree features, you can connect with other relatives and descendants who may hold valuable information about your family history.

Genealogy Forums

Genealogy forums are online communities where users can discuss their family history research and connect with others who share the same interests. These forums can be a valuable resource for connecting with other relatives and descendants who may have information about your family history.

Many genealogy forums are organized by geographic region, surname, or research interest. You can join these forums and post questions or information about your family history research. Other users can respond with their own research findings or share information about their own family history that may be relevant to your research.

Genealogy forums can also be a great place to connect with distant relatives who may be researching the same family lines. By sharing information and collaborating with others, you can piece together a more complete picture of your family history.

When using genealogy forums to connect with other relatives and descendants, there are several strategies that can help you make the most out of your experience. Here are some tips:

1. Join relevant forums: There are many genealogy forums available online, so it’s important to join forums that are relevant to your research. Look for forums that focus on your ancestral region or the surnames you are researching.
2. Be specific in your post titles: When creating a post, make sure your title is specific and accurately describes the topic you’re asking about. This will help other users understand what you’re looking for and increase the likelihood of getting a response.
3. Provide details: In your post, provide as many details as possible about the ancestor or family line you’re researching. This will help other users provide relevant information or suggest new avenues of research.
4. Respond to other users’ posts: Participating in discussions and responding to other users’ posts can help you build relationships with other researchers and increase the likelihood of receiving help in return.
5. Be respectful and patient: Remember that other users on genealogy forums are volunteers and may not have the time or resources to respond immediately. Be patient and respectful in your interactions with other users.
6. Follow forum rules: Each genealogy forum has its own set of rules and guidelines. Make sure you read and follow these rules to avoid being banned or having your posts removed.
7. Use private messaging for sensitive information: If you need to share sensitive information, such as personal contact details, use the private messaging function rather than posting it publicly on the forum.
8. Offer help in return: If you’re able to help another user with their research, offer your assistance. This can help build relationships and foster a sense of community within the forum.

By following these strategies, you can effectively use genealogy forums to connect with other relatives and descendants and gain valuable information about your family history.

Charlotte’s Story

Here is a story about Charlotte and how she used Step 9 to her advantage:

Charlotte had always been interested in her family history, but she had hit a brick wall in her research when it came to her great-great-great-grandmother, Margaret. She had searched through census records, birth and death certificates, and marriage licenses, but she couldn’t find any information about Margaret’s parents or where she had come from.

Frustrated with her lack of progress, Charlotte turned to Step 9 of her research plan and decided to reach out to other relatives and descendants through genealogy forums. She joined several forums and posted questions about Margaret, hoping that someone might have some information that could help her.

To her surprise, she received a response from a distant cousin who had been researching the same family line. The cousin had a family Bible that had been passed down through the generations and contained information about Margaret’s parents and siblings. Charlotte was thrilled and grateful for the information and the cousin was happy to share their findings.

Through collaboration with the cousin, Charlotte was able to piece together more information about Margaret’s life and family history. She discovered that Margaret had grown up in a small town in Virginia and had married a man from a neighbouring town. They had moved to Ohio where they had several children, including Charlotte’s great-great-grandfather.

With the information provided by her cousin, Charlotte was able to fill in the gaps in her family tree and make new connections. She continued to stay in touch with her cousin and they shared information and photos of their ancestors. It was a rewarding experience for Charlotte, and she felt like she had gained a better understanding of her family history and heritage.

In the end, Charlotte realized that by reaching out to other relatives and descendants, she was able to break down the brick wall in her research and uncover new information about her great-great-great-grandmother Margaret. She was grateful for the resources available through genealogy forums and the willingness of others to collaborate and share their findings.

Tips for Contacting Other Relatives and Descendants

When contacting other relatives and descendants through ancestry websites or genealogy forums, there are a few tips to keep in mind:

1. Be respectful: Remember that you are contacting real people who may be busy with their own lives. Be polite and respectful in your messages and give them time to respond.
2. Provide information: When reaching out to other users, provide them with information about your research and what you are looking for. This will help them understand how they can assist you.
3. Share your research findings: When connecting with other users, share your own research findings with them. This can lead to valuable insights and new leads to follow in your research.
4. Be open to collaboration: Collaboration with others can be a powerful tool in genealogy research. Be open to working with other researchers and sharing information to help each other achieve your research goals.

List of Some Genealogy Forum Websites

1. Ancestry Message Boards – https://www.ancestry.com/boards/
2. Genealogy.com Forums – https://www.genealogy.com/forum/
3. Family Tree Forum – https://www.familytreeforum.com/
4. RootsChat.com – https://www.rootschat.com/forum/
5. MyHeritage Community – https://www.myheritage.com/community
6. Genealogy Wise – https://www.genealogywise.com/
7. Find a Grave Forums – https://www.findagraveforums.com/
8. Cyndi’s List – Genealogy Resources – https://cyndislist.com/forums/
9. GenealogyForum.co.uk – http://www.genealogyforum.co.uk/
10. Genealogy-Forum.de – https://www.genealogy-forum.de/

These forums are a great resource for connecting with other genealogists, asking for help with research, and sharing information about your family history.

Conclusion

Contacting other relatives and descendants through ancestry websites or genealogy forums can be a powerful strategy in your family history research. It allows you to connect with other researchers who may have valuable information about your family history and collaborate with them to uncover new leads and insights. When contacting other users, it is important to be respectful, provide information, share your research findings, and be open to collaboration. Remember to use these strategies to maximize your chances of success. By leveraging the power of technology and online communities, you can make exciting discoveries and piece together the puzzle of your family history.

Further Reading

• Breaking through Genealogy Research Barriers: Effective Strategies to Overcome Brick Walls

NOTE:

In closing this blog post, I hope that this blog series has been beneficial to you in learning more about genealogy and how to trace your family history. If you have any questions, comments, or feedback on the series or would like to suggest any improvements, please don’t hesitate to send me a message or email. I value your input and appreciate your support in helping me to create more helpful and informative content for aspiring genealogists. Thank you for following along on this journey, and I wish you the best of luck in your own genealogical research.

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