If you could pick one person in history to be related to, who would it be and why?
Maria Salomea (Skłodowska) Curie (1867 - 1934), because she was a tenacious scientist who continues to be an inspiration to women throughout the world. She was full of discoveries and improvements in chemistry and medicine. She walked in a man’s world as though she was rightfully born into it. She was much admired by our American Suffragettes.
What are some of your interests outside of genealogy?
I love to cook, read biographies, watch science fiction movies, do sudoku puzzles, and play the card game of bridge.
How long have you been on WikiTree and what do you spend the most time doing?
I have been on WikiTree for two years. I spend most of my time volunteering as an Adoption Angel, assisting adoptees and children with unknown parentage find their biological families. I like building family trees and researching, so I am not the first angel the applicant meets, rather the “closer” who walks that long road with the applicant until we identify their biological parents. I get satisfaction “paying it forward” to someone who faced the same hurdles as I once did.
What brought you to WikiTree?
I was doing a web search on my mother and came across a profile my nephew had done on WikiTree. His information was a bit off, so I requested that he let me be a co-manager so I could improve her profile.
What is your favorite thing about WikiTree?
My favorite aspect of WikiTree is the sharing of knowledge among genealogists. It certainly has made me a better researcher and family historian. I am grateful to all WikiTree’ers who have helped me grow my skills. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed with things I must learn to do better and faster. I am reassured that someone, or several someones, on WikiTree will share their knowledge and help me further my abilities.
If you could improve one thing about WikiTree, what would it be?
No more HTML! It is fine to be HTML-based, but how about doing it in an automated fashion, such as submitting the profile information in text-based form, and having the site suggest formatting? Then we could simply make slight changes. Our profiles would have a much similar look and feel.
What is an example of how WikiTree has helped you with your genealogy or how you’ve helped genealogy with WikiTree?
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The merge request is a great tool! Every time I receive or send a request to merge, I learn something new about my ancestor. WikiTree’s goal to create one tree is unique. And the sourcing requirement keeps us all honest. One cannot fudge someone’s life for long on WikiTree.
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I have helped WikiTree by being part of a core service, Adoption Angels, that helps drive members to the site.
Any tips for someone just starting out on WikiTree?
Ask for and take as much help as you need. I was not good at sourcing until I came across WikiTree and its sourcing mentors. I have turned to G2G many times with questions or problems, and always get help within hours.
