Conflicting family

Question

I have run across several ancestors where multiple relatives had added children or wives sometimes causing conflict. Especially where there are multiple Williams with sons John R. They have sources but some are from Missouri and some from Tn. They probably are related but the 20 or so kids are at least from different mothers and probably different family lines.

This is actually in Family Search rather than Wiki Tree as all the wives and kids have not been added to Wiki tree but I see the discrepancies when I look at cousins profiles.

I am a little overwhelmed at sorting them out. How does everyone else handle this? On paper, on a spreadsheet, test tree on Roots magic? I thought about using recipe cards and an index box. ?? Thank you!

Answer 1

I use a spreadsheet. I've tried paper, but I tend to misplace it, so a spreadsheet. I only use information from decent sources when trying to work out a conflict. I find it helpful to see all the information one one sheet. I'll head a column with possible parents and then place the children under them, provided there is a baptism or something naming the parents. My sister uses test trees, but I'm a spreadsheet gal.

A couple of things to note: A census record cannot reliably prove a relationship. Sometimes the wife listed is not the mother of the children, but the step-mother. This is not noted on a census. Some years the wife lists the number of children and those still living. That can be helpful. I hope you can find some marriage records listing the parents, that is often the best help.

I've been doing a lot of cleanup on Family Search. It is a lot of work.

Comments

Spreadsheet I use to help with families.  Use it frequently when I find duplicated families.