Something Ain't Right!

If you’ve been doing genealogy research for any length of time, you have reached a point where you say to yourself, “Something ain’t right!” Often it comes when you’re comparing DNA results to your tree. You know you did everything right. You have been thorough. You only attached records and built branches that had supporting evidence. Don’t be dismayed. It happens to all of us.

When something just isn't right, you can approach it a couple ways: 1. Start over, or 2. Start from the problem. Starting over may seem a bit extreme, but depending on the progress you’ve made, it may not be a bad idea. I would venture to guess though, that starting from the problem is the most common solution. An error in one area doesn’t mean your entire foundation is off. Regardless of your approach, you will want to QUESTION and VERIFY EVERYTHING! Here are a few questions for you:

1. What records do I have to prove this person is who I think they are?

a. What is your source for the facts that you have attached?

b. Do you trust this source?

c. Did I have to make those records fit or were they clear?

d. Do my records support one another?

2. Are there multiple people born around the same time in the same area with almost the same name?

3. Can I trust the tree of my DNA match?

Let’s talk about records. The algorithm of ancestry adjusts their hint’s based on records that other people attach. Don’t assume a record is definitely for your ancestor without first reviewing it yourself. A census record, birth, death or marriage record that name an individual’s parents is a critical discovery and will change the turns of your tree. If you accept records that add to your tree, and the accepted record was wrong, now that entire limb or branch is wrong. If 90% of your records say a person was born a specific year or has a certain set of parents, you would need to feel VERY strongly about accepting a document that doesn’t fit with what you’ve found. Using these documents should paint a picture of an individual’s parents, spouse, children, etc. Sometimes there are error on records, but there should definitely be some cohesion.

Depending on how broad you search in a community, you may realize that there are multiple people with similar names. Names are generational, periodic and familial. Just as Chris was a common boys name in the 1980’s, there are periods in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s where I see multiple men with the first or middle name Wesley. Since names are familial, there may be multiple people in an area with the same unique name if the family stays in one area. I can’t begin to count the number of Alfred Blanks in my family tree. It can make it very challenging to be sure a record you uncover is attached to the correct person. This is especially problematic on death records where the age of the father in not listed. It may take a lot of work to clarify which Alfred Blanks fathered a child, when more than one is of the appropriate age and had multiple wives.

Usually it is when you find DNA matches that seem to close based on your tree and their tree, that you begin to realize something is off. After you have done a thorough check of your tree and clarified any potential errors, consider the problem may not be on your end. The tree of your DNA match may be inaccurate, not because of poor research habits, maybe simply from misinformation. You may be the revelation your match needs to question their tree. They may not be ready to accept this. We do the best we have with what we have. DNA can support or refute all of your hard work. Finding a disconnect does not mean you have done something wrong in your research. If the foundation of their research (or yours) is an unintentionally inaccurate oral family history, the DNA will not match the documents. Don’t be afraid to ask more questions of the loved ones who are still here. Consider asking those that aren’t close to the situation, and “shouldn’t” know the details. Think about how many “secrets” you know about your distant relatives. Don’t assume that only the deceased hold the truth!

Keep Searching,

The Tangled Roots Team