The Pitfall of "Copy & Paste" Genealogy

Why Caution is Key with Online Family Trees

One of the biggest challenges I encounter — both in my own research and when helping clients — is the widespread tendency to accept information on websites like Ancestry.com at face value. These platforms are excellent tools, but they come with a significant warning:

🔔 Not everything you find is accurate.

Many users unknowingly accept hints or matches as fact without checking original records or copy other people's family trees, assuming they are correct. Unfortunately, these trees often contain:

❌ Incorrect names or relationships

❌ Assumptions presented as fact

❌ Edited information to "make it fit" — sometimes changing spouses or parents to suit a preferred lineage.

I've personally come across cases where individuals have changed the names of spouses or manipulated relationships just to connect their tree to a more desirable or famous lineage — completely disregarding documented facts.

Why This Matters:

When mistakes like this go unchecked, they don’t just affect one tree they can mislead hundreds of others who copy the same information. Over time, a false family connection can appear to be "fact" simply because it has been repeated so often.

How I Approach Genealogy Differently

As a genealogist with over 25 years of research experience, I follow a verify-first, copy-later approach:

✔️ I rely on primary sources whenever possible — records created by eyewitnesses

✔️ I carefully examine secondary sources and seek supporting evidence

✔️ I never accept someone else's family tree as fact without independent verification

The result? A family history you can feel confident about — one built on reliable, well-documented research, not assumptions.

Genealogy is about discovering the truth — not just building a tree that looks impressive.

 How I Can Help:

As a genealogist with over 25 years of experience, I prioritize source-based, verifiable research. I cross-check facts, investigate conflicting records, and avoid assumptions. My goal is to build accurate, well-documented family trees that can be confidently passed down for generations.

If you’re looking to verify your tree, correct potential errors, or start fresh with solid records, I’m here to help.