How to add more generations to my tree

Question

My tree is only 3 generations and I want to add more so I hopefully will get a hit

Answer 1

Tommy, use the RootsSearch app. Go to the profile of the farthest out ancestor, click on the Family Tree tab, click on Genealogy Research, Click on "Research with RootsSearch"

If you haven't already, sign up for a familysearch.org account. Check your local library to see if you can access Ancestry.com for free. (even if you don't have an account to a specific site you can always post a specific question on G2G asking someone who does to look something up for you)

Then, when you use the RootsSearch app, you can find the sources that back up connections and start working on filling out your tree. Sometimes it's hard. Add a post on G2G with something about "brick wall" and people will jump in and help.

Use those Ancestry trees or Geni trees, or whatever you find online, as ideas for other research, but not sources with definitive information. Try to find all the census records, and make sure you add profiles for all the family members on those records, so you can more easily make connections.

You may be surprised, and only be one or two people away from connecting to the main tree, you never know!

Good luck!

Answer 2

I like to use Family Search to find sources to add to my ancestors in WikiTree.  It works well for hints and for finding out new connections.  Though information should be looked at and sources checked to make sure it all adds up correctly.  Sometimes on Family Search profiles can get merged incorrectly.  

I found the Family Search profile for Wilbur Thomas Phillips and was able to add few sources to his WikiTree page to get you started.

If you go to the sources tab on the Family Search profile you will be able to see the sources then detail view and look at the citation part, that is the part of the source you want to copy to wikitree to provide sources.

Wilbur Thomas Phillips Sr.

https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/sources/LTKC-7YK

Click view tree to get the tree view: https://www.familysearch.org/tree/pedigree/landscape/LTKC-7YK

There are some ancestors in the Family Search tree, though you can keep adding basic information for your ancestors there and over time it may automatically find some sources for you.  Or you can always do a search on Family Search for records as well.

I like to do a google search for older ancestors in the Family Search tree with the ancestors name and wikitree added to see if I can find Wikitree profiles already entered into connect up to.

In this case I was able to find a hit for Joseph Collins Glaze (1738 - 1776) https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Glaze-550 and then trace down to his grandson John Glass (abt. 1802) https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Glass-1562

So starting back on your Wikitree start adding in your ancestors up about four generations until you get to Jacob Harrison Glaze b 1834 and enter him and then connect him to his fathers profile at Glass-1562 and boom you will be connected up to the World Tree.

Let me know if you have any questions.

PEACE!

Answer 3

As others have noted, sign up for a free account at FamilySearch. The resources there will then be available for searching, and you will often be able to download the original documents. Once you get an account, the system will generate a profile for you. You are under no obligation to build a family tree there, but you can if you want to. 

For example, here is the link for the death certificate for John Thomas Phillips, and it names his parents. 

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9Y13-SBHR?i=210&cc=1983324&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AK368-NPC

I suspect you may be able to get the death certificates for several other members of your family tree from FamilySearch as well. Using these, you can look for their census records, and perhaps fill in the families.

Answer 4

Going back is good if you can find sources, but honestly, I make most connections by working sideways (siblings, spouses, and in-laws). There are some Hints and Tips on the Connectors Chat page.