Whether you are a beginner or have been doing genealogy for
a while there are some things you need to know. Since I belong to various
genealogy Facebook groups, I have notice somethings people don't know. Remember,
if there is anything you have a question about, try Googling for the answer. So
here are some of the things you may want to know if you are into Genealogy.
Ancestry.com is not owned by the Mormon Church,
FamilySearch.org is. Yes there is some sort of agreement between the two, but
they are not own by the same group/corporation.
Extra fact: Ancestry Corporate Brands include Ancestry, AncestryDNA, AncestryProGenealogists, AncestryAcademy, AncestryInstitution, Fold3, Rootsweb, Newspapers, FindAGrave, Archives.com
User trees on Ancestry are not verified by the staff of
Ancestry. Anyone can create a tree and put whomever and whatever relationship
between people they want.
Ancestry hints are not proven facts for your person; they
are just possible records for your person. It’s up to you to determine if they
are indeed for your person.
Your ancestors are not just in your tree, they may have many
descendants and thus will appear in other people's trees, which may or may not
be built accurately.
If the only place you build your tree is on Ancestry, make
sure to download a GEDCOM to your computer as a backup.
GEDCOM's are used by genealogy tree websites and genealogy software
packages as a standard format that only they can use to exchange information.
You will not be able to read a GEDCOM on your computer by just clicking and opening
it.
There is no such thing as "your tree" on FamilySearch.org.
You are the only one who can edit living people you have entered; however all
deceased individuals are fair game to everybody. This means it’s a
collaborative tree, not "your tree".
Genealogy software is a computer program you install on your
computer. Which can be used to build a family tree, run reports and so much more.
You do not need the internet to access the information stored on your computer
program.
Family trees maintained via web based applications such as
Ancestry.com, or FamilySearch.org will require an internet connection and
usually doesn't have all the features of a computer program.
Not everyone takes a DNA test to find out more about their
genealogy. AncestryDNA advertises for Ethnicity, while 23amdMe advertise about
health reports. Thus many are taking these test for other reasons than just
genealogy. Therefore, you may not get replies when corresponding to these
people.
Just because AncestryDNA doesn’t show your match has a tree
attached to their DNA, doesn’t mean they don’t have a tree. 
Understand relationships, first cousins, second cousins,
first cousins once removed.
Cite your sources. This means write down where you find
something. If your Aunt Martha gives you a family tree and information, then
Aunt Martha is your source. If you use Ancestry.com to find information, than
Ancestry.com plus the database you are looking at; becomes your source. There
is more to citing your sources, however there are some bare minimums.
As with any hobby, whether you are beginner or have been
doing it for many, many years, you will need to keep up with the latest and
greatest by reading about your hobby. Read genealogy blogs, belong to various
genealogy Facebook groups, join a genealogy society, go to a genealogy seminar,
watch a genealogy webinar, view YouTube videos about genealogy, there are so
many places to learn more.
