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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: JanPennington on Saturday 27 May 17 23:57 BST (UK)

Title: Does anyone have experience of Wikitree
Post by: JanPennington on Saturday 27 May 17 23:57 BST (UK)
Hi

I recently heard a webinar about Wikitree and am considering putting at least part of the tree I have put together onto Wikitree.

I have a slight concern about putting a tree online having heard comments about hijacked trees on other sites and seeing strange things on trees that appear when I search for possible matches.  (A man with two wives at the same time and having sons by both wives born in the same years with the same names! - only ONE child with that name on GRO).

I am not particularly into growing my tree rapidly. I would rather make sure that I have the right person before I add them to my tree, but I would like to make contact with some unknown relatives and they claim to be able to make connections.

Am I being overly cautious?

Jan
Title: Re: Does anyone have experience of Wikitree
Post by: youngtug on Sunday 28 May 17 00:15 BST (UK)
the problem I found was other people editing and adding to what I put on. That is the way it works, in theory everybody helps,  theoretically that should be good, in practice, no. Others may find it OK but not me.
Title: Re: Does anyone have experience of Wikitree
Post by: JanPennington on Sunday 28 May 17 01:12 BST (UK)
Hi
Thanks for the feedback, youngtug.
I understand that they want to build tree with everyone on it with all allowed to co-operate.  Sounds good in theory and they claim to have checks to make sure it is all correct.
But I am not sure I want other people to 'edit' the work I have done and tried to check carefully.  I like to stay in control of my fsmiy tree.

Jan
Title: Re: Does anyone have experience of Wikitree
Post by: Rosinish on Sunday 28 May 17 05:14 BST (UK)
Hmm....

I have never seen nor heard of this but it sounds a farce & a free-for-all to me  ;D

If I'm being honest, I have found more genuine contacts through posts on RC with people doing 'genuine' research rather than people sitting waiting on green leaf hints on Fancestry or relying on contributions on FS or any other of the same sort but that's my own experience.

If I was to follow most of what I've seen for my family (of which is well documented) on 'online trees' I would still be searching for the proof of what I've seen  ;D

I do still believe online trees are good tools, a bit like a story which grows arms & legs but if I find anything of interest or possible matches I always check them out.

I don't think I fancy the idea of my tree which I've been researching for nearly 20 yrs & having spent £1000's being open to all & sundry to change/edit my work to their advantage for it to become a shim-sham/mish-mash although I may venture into it at some point now that you've drawn it to my attention (just for an idea of it's workings) as I'm now curious what's on it/how it works  ???  ::)  ;D

Annie

Title: Re: Does anyone have experience of Wikitree
Post by: JanPennington on Sunday 28 May 17 05:26 BST (UK)
Hi

The more I think about the less willing I am to put my full tree onto Wikitree even though it is only a year's work and not 20 years like yours, I might put a couple of generations on to try it out.
The webinar I saw was on https://familytreewebinars.com and the is titled Wkitree  free for all and you can see part of the webinar without needing to log in, if you want to find out a bit about it.

Jan

Title: Re: Does anyone have experience of Wikitree
Post by: Rosinish on Sunday 28 May 17 06:01 BST (UK)
Hi Jan,

Thanks for that link as it's worth a wee look around, nothing ventured...as they say  :P

No harm in a few generations to see what it generates  ???  :D

Likewise, I have never been in a hurry to expand my tree by copying what I find, even if I can't afford the certs. I need.

I do have many in my tree, children/siblings of my direct lines (no certs) but enough info. from various means to be content with my finds. I do however believe & strive to obtain all certs. for DIRECT lines even if I can't afford all certs. for siblings.

I have most images for my Scottish lines as they're minimal cost compared with my English & Irish ones.

I've probably spent more £s on wrong English certs. through so many variants of surnames than I've spent on genuine ones from SP  ;D

Annie

 
Title: Re: Does anyone have experience of Wikitree
Post by: a-l on Sunday 28 May 17 10:29 BST (UK)
I will not put my tree online in fact mine is handwritten, and staying that way  :D.
If my family decide to put it online in the future that will be their choice and the problems that come with it will be theirs too. ;D
I think I had better warn them  ;D
Title: Re: Does anyone have experience of Wikitree
Post by: joboy on Sunday 28 May 17 11:40 BST (UK)
Surely I am not the only roots chatter who uses wiki tree?
The interest so much is not getting a tree across but getting every individual with an individual record number your mum your dad and so on for the whole shebang each with their own identity.
My name which is Twitchin is limited and to only one other and both South of England and as yet we have not found a link so far.
The discipline is very good and I visit daily.
Free of charge and not what you quite might think.
Our shared tree includes 14,187,854 profiles edited by 426,854 genealogists from around the world.
It's worth a go,not exploitive and you will like it.
Joe
Title: Re: Does anyone have experience of Wikitree
Post by: carol80 on Sunday 28 May 17 23:01 BST (UK)
I use Wikitree and also my own program on my computer. Through Wikitree i have now got certificates for my Dutch family. Wikitree likes everything to be sourced and the source recorded. I now use Wikitree and Rootschat to find my missing family. I am the only one in my family that has an interest in family history so Wikitree is my backup for future family that are interested as i guess when i leave this earth my computer will be wiped clean or just thrown out.
                 Carol

Added; i have been researching for over 30 years
Title: Re: Does anyone have experience of Wikitree
Post by: bikermickau on Sunday 28 May 17 23:55 BST (UK)
I use familysearch to keep some of my tree online, each individual has id numbers assigned by familysearch, I can add any sources that are available on familysearch. A problem with it is anyone can edit, add and remove data.
I also have had my tree further expanded on Rootsweb for 10+ years, this is where I have received most of contacts seeking relatives.

Mick
Title: Re: Does anyone have experience of Wikitree
Post by: Voltaire1694 on Friday 07 July 17 01:27 BST (UK)
Depends if you're prepared to be collaborative on your tree or not.  It's built around the concept of one single contestable tree, rather than a collection of individual (and often unsourced) trees.  It has been primarily US-based but I think users from across the globe are expanding.

I've been using Wikitree for my online work and have made some great (Australian) connections.  I personally find the concept of one single tree rather interesting.  I monitor my profiles and haven't found anyone messing with them without a good reason and explanation (eg adding an individual to a particular category).

Most people I've come across on Wikitree are helpful and wish to collaborate.  There is capacity for someone to (deliberately or accidentally) obstruct, but Wikitree has some work arounds for unresponsive or nonactive profile managers.

The main problem I find with Ancestry or other paid subscription sites is that you might find something interesting on a private tree, but you can't communicate with the tree owner unless you are also a paid subscriber. And then there are cases where the tree owner is no longer active, so a tree even with errors becomes 'set in stone'.  The paid sites are great sources but have their limitations.

In terms of sharing information that you've spent money on. My Mother takes the view we shouldn't do it. But for me, as all genealogists would be acutely aware of, time travels and we'll all end up in a grave one day; what's the point of take all that research with you?  If I can help someone else, or reduce errors, by sharing that GRO certificate, why not!
Title: Re: Does anyone have experience of Wikitree
Post by: Rosinish on Friday 07 July 17 01:53 BST (UK)
Voltaire,

My problem was not about sharing but more of someone changing my correct info. at any time.
(I'm not on wikitree)!

As for sharing, I don't have a problem with that either......now that I have worked out how to decide whether root hunters are genuine!

Over the years I emailed many certs. to people in the belief of their word that I would receive certs. I didn't have i.e. trading info. for info...

I'm an honest person, fulfilled my part of the bargain & to this day those people have shared absolutely nothing!!!

I had one in particular who gave me access to their 'Fancestry' Tree...24 hrs later the access was no longer yet that person received a lot of info. on my line related to their ancestor!

As I previously mentioned, I have had more genuine contacts through RC with genuine research & exchanging info!!!

Annie
Title: Re: Does anyone have experience of Wikitree
Post by: Voltaire1694 on Friday 07 July 17 02:56 BST (UK)
You take the good with the bad. I've come across distant family who are very happy to receive information, but with nothing in return.

Then again, I've had one who was willing to share the details of his (unregistered and illegitimate) grandfather. He didn't know and got the full story from the best source, his mother who is still alive. Was truly impressed with the willingness to share a very private detail.
Title: Re: Does anyone have experience of Wikitree
Post by: Rosinish on Friday 07 July 17 04:01 BST (UK)
You were very fortunate Voltaire...

I gave up sharing my info. many years ago until I received info. initially rather than the opposite...me sending the info!

I have had more genuine responses working that way although I'm unsure as to how the contacts knew I was genuine or maybe they took a chance on me?

The strange thing about it, the family I had more documentation on (Scottish/Paternal) were the family who didn't respond after receiving all those docs. yet the family (maternal) who I had least documents for were the ones who were more genuine, sent me their info. & I sent mine.

The Scottish ones all 'shared' that info. on online trees & I also note there are many errors but those errors are not mine as I have all the documents i.e. some of their info. has been gleaned elsewhere & as I'm a 'one man band' they possibly think my info. is incorrect as some of it is a 2nd marriage which I didn't send them the info. on, i.e. I have no idea how they have my 2 x g g/father & his previously widowed wife with 12 children together?

They had 4 together & my 2 x g g/mother had 5 with hubby no. 1 i.e. there are 3 mysterious children  ::)

Annie
Title: Re: Does anyone have experience of Wikitree
Post by: KinCityKitty on Sunday 05 November 17 21:37 GMT (UK)
I just answered another question here about WikiTree and privacy settings.  Please see my response at http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=781810.msg6364585#msg6364585 (http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=781810.msg6364585#msg6364585)

Several on this thread have expressed reservations about sharing "my tree" on the internet.  That is great that you know that about yourself and your research.  Clearly, WikiTree is not about "my tree" or your tree;  it is about a one world family tree, so it is not a good fit for those who want to limit editing by others on "my tree".  All donations of our family twigs (because in the worldwide, 15 million+ profiles on WikiTree, our individual contributions are just twigs) to the WikiTree are gifts to the WikiTree community, so it is a good idea to not give what you want to control. 

Please see the Honor Code for details:  https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Special:Honor_Code (https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Special:Honor_Code)

I also saw a concern about WikiTree hijacking data.  Please see this information about the commitment to a free, one world family tree:  https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Help:The_Free_Family_Tree (https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Help:The_Free_Family_Tree)

I would be happy to answer any questions about WikiTree.  Please feel free to contact me! 
Title: Re: Does anyone have experience of Wikitree
Post by: Jean Price on Monday 06 November 17 23:54 GMT (UK)
I am a new member of WikiTree and am very pleased to be there.
I too, like others, have years of research behind me, and much money spent.
I have no nieces or nephews anxious to take over my work so I decided on WikiTree where all of my extended family can access it for ever and a day.
If another person adds something to one of your family, you will be notified. Then you can either take them to task, or thank them for that little gem of information you didn't know about.
Come and join us.
Regards
Jean
Title: Re: Does anyone have experience of Wikitree
Post by: LizzieL on Wednesday 28 November 18 15:37 GMT (UK)
I signed up with Wikitree today after finding one of my ancestors on there. So far I haven't put my tree on there. It is a gedcom file with all my OH's tree in it as well, and until I find out how to split it up into smaller fragments, I won't be uploading it.
I did manage to add a little more information to my ancestor (baptism, parents names and burial dates). This has enabled him to be linked to a sibling put on Wikitree by a different person.
My other contribution was to sort out a lot of children of another ancestor, all of whom had parents called John and Grace but whose births spanned almost 35 years. John senior and his wife Grace had a son called John who also married a Grace, so the later children were theirs. In that case I didn't attempt to edit the existing tree, too complicated - but I pm'd the tree owner and got a message back already, thanking me for my help.

Title: Re: Does anyone have experience of Wikitree
Post by: LizzieW on Thursday 29 November 18 10:58 GMT (UK)
Hi

The more I think about the less willing I am to put my full tree onto Wikitree even though it is only a year's work and not 20 years like yours, I might put a couple of generations on to try it out.
The webinar I saw was on https://familytreewebinars.com and the is titled Wkitree  free for all and you can see part of the webinar without needing to log in, if you want to find out a bit about it.

Jan



I have a Legacy tree and I can see the Legacy webinars for free.
Title: Re: Does anyone have experience of Wikitree
Post by: andrewalston on Thursday 29 November 18 11:24 GMT (UK)
I had a go with WikiTree but found it hard work.

You upload a GEDCOM and then plough through everyone in there looking at possible matches with the existing entries. You get, if I remember correctly, 4 weeks to go through the automatically generated list of matches, and after that you do things manually. Bear in mind that your John Smith born in Birmingham will match with about 150 in Alabama, 20 in Alaska, …. and 500 whose place of birth was just left blank.

Once you have sorted through those, you then need to re-assemble your families, because the import process throws all that information from the GEDCOM away.

All this means that the GEDCOM you upload needs to be SMALL, or you will give up part way through.

When I commented on this, the person who responded said that she added all her entries longhand - yet another chance of transcription error.

The idea seems reasonable, but the implementation leaves a lot to be desired.
Title: Re: Does anyone have experience of Wikitree
Post by: Top-of-the-hill on Wednesday 05 January 22 18:08 GMT (UK)
   I have just been contacted by someone through Ancestry DNA, and find that s/he is working on wikitree, which I have no previous dealings with. While deciding what to do, I investigated wikitree, and putting in the name of a possible 17th century ancestor of mine, with a fairly unusual name, I found what I can only call absolute twaddle!
   I read a bit about the theory behind it and their ethos, so I suppose what I should do is wade in and try to correct that tree, but I don't think I could face it.
   Just sounding off!
Title: Re: Does anyone have experience of Wikitree
Post by: chrissiecruiser on Wednesday 05 January 22 21:32 GMT (UK)
Hi all,
I have been using Wikitree until this very day!
I found it quite good, and combined a couple of duplicate people in my line.

The one drawback for me was receiving multitudes of emails from them which I slimmed down to 1 per week.
This morning, after receiving my 4th weekly email at 5.20am I spat the dummy!
I am now not part of it, my people stay on and I can return but no more emails!!!

Cheers,
Chris