I read a post about an online family tree, the culmination of twenty years of research, taken down from a popular genealogy site. The family requested the tree be deleted after the genealogist’s passing. That took my breath away. I am involved with family history and genealogy to preserve my family’s memory and contributions for future generations, not to have it tossed away when I die.
So, let’s work on ways to preserve our research so it is available to future generations of researchers and historians. These are some of my ways:
#1 A Database Can be Shared
I did not start with online trees, I started with a tracking system on a spreadsheet to help me remember who was who. My goal was to research my family history and find an angle that would be a good subject for a book..I didn’t want to create a tree. However, I found that I had to have a database to keep facts straight and know how one person was related to another and where they lived.
I can electronically share this spreadsheet with other family members. I can print the tree and the log and give it to the local historical society.
#2 A Printed Tree Can Be Part of a DIY Booklet
I met a third cousin who had spoken years ago with a first cousin of mine and exchanged some names, dates and photos. When my third and I sat down together with our photos, we were able to swap family photos and facts and expand our family history knowledge! Originally, third and first met each other because they had online trees. This is when I realized the potential value of creating one.
The biggest perk of online trees was finding that the online software offered another means of visualizing and printing out family history research. I like that because printing out the family tree from a spreadsheet made it difficult to see the family overview and how one person was related to the other.
A printable fan view is the easiest view for understanding who was related to whom and how. It would be easier to understand relationships with this chart which you could make it part of your DIY family history book.
#3 A Book Can Be Published
If you have a good story or a great angle, publish a book of your family history. What makes your family interesting? It might be who they knew, the times they lived or where they lived. Test the waters in groups on Facebook, WattPad or other social media platforms. Then, move onto self-publishing platforms.
Pick an option. Create another option. Get a copy of your research to historical associations which are local to your ancestors . Ensure your work survives you and that your research will never be erased.
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