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What's So Important About A Family Tree?        Published Monthly
Lesson 030...                                                                                                            2018 04 01

Defining The Problem...
We all start out recording what we think is important, picking from or saving all information we find.
Soon we find many more people and important factors for them than we'd ever anticipated.

At first the discovery of so many is astounding, and disbelief at why no-one has accounted for them!
As we become adept at the process, it becomes thrilling and almost as if we can save it all!

We also become more familiar with our software, web searches, cemetery pictures and interviews.
Almost unconciously we begin exploring thoughts of "future" additions to use within the tree.

More and more with each passing triumph, we begin to expand both our knowledge and efforts.
Our family tree's begin to look magnificient! What could possibly go wrong with our plan?
Thus begins the downfall.... Blindly taking on more than we can hope to accomplish.

For some it starts as a hobby or time passage, becoming a purpose or even an addiction.
No matter what your personal reasons are, there are critical factors that must be adhered to.
As important as genealogy is to the world, we should remember that no one person can do it all.


How Did That Happen?...
At some point in our pasts, we became interested in genealogy-Even if we didn't know the word!
Soon the process of learning came about through conversations, photo albums or other ways.
Eventually, using computers and the internet became part of the way we do our research.

When we first see family trees online, their layouts look so simple, we think making one is easy too!
Especially when being coerced into adding to existing websites using "their software".
Eventually we realize that their "tree" does not belong to us at all.

After purchasing our "stand alone" version of software, we begin to add our already had information.
When we've run the course of saved data to our new program, we then start to add new people.
The novelty of having a variety of information options seems mystifying, yet draws us to it!

Good software not only performs well while using it, but grows to higher levels with more options.
At some point, we begin to understand that not even this software is ours "forever".
It's not uncommon to realize the wrong software choice has been made.


What's Been Done To Fix This?...
Essentially nothing! It's up to each of our own selves to curb our enthusiasm to a manageable degree.
The above scenarios show a normal and continued interest growth, eventually leading to choice.
After reaching our available time limits for input, we finally realize we must make choices.

The good news is in streamlining... Both in data collection points as well as recording methods.
Websites display their sources in the same format throughout the site through software.
Become aquainted with it for use with your own purposes and check each source.

Streamlining also refers to the specific items you find useful for recording to your family tree.
Most software programs have areas for essentially all the same items, with a few added variables.
Their purpose is to have something for every need. Your purpose is to decide what it is that you need.

Software, although becoming easy to use, now offers more data collection areas than ever before!
The amount of data types that can be stored may seem overwhelming at first.
Before you get too far along in your tree, try this excercise.

By far, the single biggest help you can do for preserving the past is to collect it!
Even persons with no interest in family trees can help preserve items for someone to build one!
Speak to your elders, and express your interest in these "family treasures", even if only for the future!


Where Can We Find All That Data?...
Information types can range from source transcriptions to document images or personal photographs.
Downloading or scanning may increase the projects manhours significantly if widely used.
Usage rights for publication may also be of consideration for some items.

Family photo albums, bibles, records and heirlooms are very good firsthand data.
If they are subject to longterm holdings, it may be wiser to collect data from elsewhere first.
History disapears from both outside and inside our walls. We must constantly choose which is at risk.

Regardless of our other choices, minimal requirements should be birth/death/marriage dates/places.
Though information is subject to availability, dates should be included even if only estimated.
Places should only be narrowed to as close as they can be correctly determined.

For beginers as well as advanced historians the primary "modern day" record of choice are censuses.
Although 1790-1840 censuses list only family heads, the 1850 and later list all members.
These contain all of the basic/primary data for creating a family tree.


What Did We Learn From This?...
All types of software used will have longterm effects on the project, including lifespan and sharing.
Choose one that will last through several operating system changes the first time.
Of all the timesaving decisions to make, this is the most important.

As always, it's the "chicken or the egg dilema": Large tree/minimal info vs. small tree/maximum info.
There's much to be said in favor of using either method, but their purposes can vary greatly.
Defining your reasons for creating a family tree can help with the next important factor.

These should be "decided" first in order to "set your course".
You may change your mind later... Though you should learn the basics first!
Most importantly, understand that a family tree takes many hours, and "re-doing" data is a waste.

With those choices made and behind you, it's time to do some "forward thinking".
At some point, you'll discover that the information you once found is no longer available.
How can this be? Where did it go? How can you now prove what you say is really how things were?

Websites dedicated to preserving the past are owned by persons that need to earn a living too.
Collecting data/images for just your tree takes a lot of time-Imagine how much time they've spent!
In the end, "What's so important about a family tree" are the very things YOU think are so important.


The Basic Rules...
First...
Choose your software carefully. Learn what to look for-And why.
This will have an impact on your actual productive time more than any other factor!

Second...
Understand your own personal reasons for wanting to create a family tree...
Tree usages and the data within differ widely. Decide at the begining what yours is to deliver.

Third...
If time is limited for data collection and production, the collection should always prevail.
Without available source data, the project will have reached its ultimate end. The data must survive.


As always...
What you'll choose to do with this information is up to you.
It will at least serve as a stepping stone for further knowledge.
You should be applauded for your willingness to educate yourself.

These are only basic guidelines, and can always be adjusted to suit your personal needs or budget.
Hopefully the knowledge gained here will help you to be better positioned as a family historian!

      Happy searches!!

        Massachusetts

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