Meet our Members: Robin Shaules

+31 votes
1.1k views

Hi everyone!

It's time to get to know another one of our wonderful WikiTreers! This week's member is Robin Shaules.

500px-Meet_our_Members_Photos-45.jpgRobin became a Wiki Genealogist in March of 2017.  She is active in our Profile Improvement and Cemeterists projects and is also a Sourcerer, Data Doctor and Connector.

What are some of the surnames you are researching?

The main surnames that I'm working on are those of my grandparents: Dodge, Millar, Witcher, and Medearis. I also spend time working on my husband's family: Shaules, Patten, Kerrigan, and Samse. I have been very intrigued with the Shaules line as it has been so obscure and difficult to track.

What are some of the locations you are researching?

Until recently I had not been researching any specific areas. When my husband and I moved to rural Del Norte County in California two years ago, I became very interested in what I thought was a small cemetery in the area. At that time I joined the Cemeterist project and started researching the "little" cemetery located nearby so that I could add it to WikiTree. There turned out to be much more to this cemetery than I had imagined at first, which I discovered was also a memorial to a shipwreck that happened locally in 1865. After spending time researching and learning about the memorial and shipwreck, as well as taking photos and transcribing the headstones, I was hooked on the area, and have continued to work in the other local cemeteries. This also led me to learn about the history of the area. There is much to learn about here: tsunamis, Native American tribes, Indian Wars, fishing and fishermen, redwoods and the lumber industry, and the pioneers who settled what was, and still is called, "the Wild Rivers Coast".

When and how did you get interested in genealogy and family history?

Actually it was probably inevitable since my paternal grandmother and her mother always had an interest in their families and kept fairly complete family trees. I was close to my grandmother and spent a lot of time with her, so I often heard different stories about my paternal ancestors. Not only was my grandmother familiar with her own family history, but once she married, she started researching my grandfather's family as well. 

She passed this information, and love of family history, on to several of her descendants. I happened to be one of those. I have a spiral notebook which she passed on to me when I was probably in my late teens. This notebook has pages and pages of old photostat copies of information she researched and discovered for my paternal grandfather, as well as copies of letters from her mother. This is one of my cherished possessions and the catalyst that started me on my journey of family discovery.

Who's your favorite ancestor and why?

My favorite ancestor is actually not my ancestor, he is my husband's paternal grandfather, William Arthur Shaules. Everything about him has been an enigma -- his birth, his family, his ancestors, his life. Though the research has not yet been completed, it appears that he led quite an adventurous life; everything from being a delinquent, a cowboy, a sheriff, and a victim of several gun-fight incidents. Add to that being a gold miner, a hotel/saloon proprietor, a land developer, and serving in the military during two different wars, as well as fathering two families, and you have quite an interesting adventurer to research.

(Interview continues in comments)

WikiTree profile: Robin Shaules
in The Tree House by Eowyn Walker G2G Astronaut (2.4m points)
edited by Eowyn Walker

Tell us about a brick wall you were able to break down.

There had been a big brick wall in the Shaules line which had withstood the work of a number of family members and several professional genealogists during the 1990s into the 2000s. We were stuck in what turned out to be a "name game" that wouldn't let us get back prior to the 1800s. 

When the rest of us gave up, there was one determined family member, a former WikiTreer, who I had worked with over the years outside of WikiTree, who continued on alone. Unfortunately, he died before breaking down the wall.  It was near to that time that my interest was rekindled and I found his work on WikiTree. One of our biggest problems was that the surname Shaules had been anglicized from a French name, Chasles. Learning that was the first step, but since I do not speak or read French, I was fortunate to find a fellow WikiTreer who does both. The French and the English were brought together with her help, and we were able to trace the ancestry back to the 1600s. And the wall came tumbling down. This was probably my biggest lesson in the value of collaboration -- both using the work of my deceased Shaules friend and the help of my newly found WikiTree friend.

What are some of your interests outside of genealogy?

As time goes on, and the inevitable age advances, my outside interests become less adventurous.  Both my husband and I love the ocean and we spent many wonderful times over the years tent camping along the Pacific coast.  He surfed while I spent time exploring and photographing the surroundings.  Today we still love the ocean, and live within a mile of the coast.  But now our trips there, though often, are short and limited to occasional walks.  We also live within a few miles of the beautiful Redwoods and a lovely river, which we also enjoy visiting.  More at home, I enjoy knitting, crocheting, and cross stitch.  I always have a project or two going.  Reading is also a great diversion.  I read a little of everything -- fiction, non-fiction, history, biographies, mysteries, even children's classics.  My favorites are the old classics -- Austen, Trollope, George, Dickens to name a few.

Another interest that I have just recently developed is collaborating with my Japanese friend, who is an associate professor at a Women's University in Tokyo. She became very interested in an American poet, Ina Coolbrith, who was California's first Poet Laureate, and the first poet laureate of any American state. She was also the granddaughter of Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism. My friend has been able to obtain copies of many of Ms. Coolbrith's letters and is hoping to have the letters published as a collection. I had also become interested in the same poet after she gifted me with a copy of the poet's biography. I have been developing profiles for this poet and her family. My friend and I are now collaborating on this project. Since English is not her first language, and English handwriting is even more foreign to her, I have been doing the transcription of these letters. Not only am I helping her, but these letters will allow me to build on Ms. Coolbrith's WikiTree profile.

How long have you been on WikiTree and what do you spend the most time doing?

March 2021 makes four years that I've been on WikiTree. Initially all I did was add people, with very little proper sourcing, but I learned "it just isn't done that way" quickly. But I'm still finding and correcting errors I made in the beginning. But I spend most of my time today working on the Profile Improvement Project, and the Cemeterist Project.  I've worked on a number of the 'thons' and I think that is what changed my level of involvement from just personal to community. I am also a Sourcerer, Data Doctor, and Connector.

What brought you to WikiTree?

Actually, I don't remember how I came to learn about WikiTree, but I believe it was from a family member who was also working on family history. This probably happened at a time when I wasn't doing much genealogy. Once I visited the site, I was intrigued. And once I started adding profiles, I was caught. I've been working steadily ever since, becoming more and more involved with the community.

What is your favorite thing about WikiTree, or which feature(s) do you like the most?

I actually have two favorites.  The first is the Profile Improvement Project (PIP) Voyage.  I went through the Voyage when it was first started and I learned more about building good profiles and the WikiTree guidelines during that time than in the  nearly three years previously spent on WikiTree.  I was fortunate enough to be asked to be a Guide for future Voyagers, and through that opportunity, I have learned even more.  The project gives the Voyager the opportunity to work through two 19th or 20th century profiles in their watchlist with the guidance of an experienced WikiTreer (Guide).  The Voyager works on everything from adding family, improving and creating inline sources, using RootsSearch, merging and GEDCOM cleanups, writing biographies (narrative or timeline), and other things, all within the WikiTree Guidelines.  Working with and getting to know each Voyager is an added benefit for me.

My other favorite project is the Cemeterist project.  I enjoy every aspect of working on the cemeteries and the profiles that are created as a result of this work -- taking the photos, creating profiles, transcribing the photos, and then attempting to build a history for the deceased person, and their family if possible. I've also enjoyed creating Free Space pages for the different cemeteries and adding a Table of Graves for each cemetery as I work through it. It's interesting as you find additional family members in the cemetery, and are able to fill in some of the blanks in their relatives' profiles.  I'm looking forward to the day that our local Historical Society reopens so that I can find even more history of the people buried here, and more history of the locality.

And I cannot leave out the camaraderie in WikiTree which is really what makes it what it is and makes it more interesting and fun. I have made some genuine friends here, even though we will probably never meet face-to-face. 

What is an example of how WikiTree has helped you with your genealogy?

There isn't one thing I can pick out as a help with my genealogy.  The whole basis of WikiTree has helped me with my genealogy -- I really didn't know what I was doing with genealogy before coming to WikiTree.  Basically, I was merely making lists of family with dates, with poor sourcing, no background, no narrative.  Now I am building histories for those who have gone before.

Any tips for someone just starting out on WikiTree?

Though I hesitated to join in the community when I started, that is probably the first thing I would suggest to a person just joining WikiTree -- introduce yourself, get involved with G2G, and ask questions.  I found the learning curve here steep, but once I started reading the G2G questions and then asking my own questions as well, I started to really learn.  Also the tutorials can be very helpful.  Joining into a challenge or a "thon" is another way to learn and become a part of the community.  Along the way one will make new acquaintances that often will develop into friendships. WikiTree is a wonderful community with members who are always willing to help.

What a wonderful interview, Robin!  It is great to learn more about you.  Thanks for all you do for PIP and WikiTree!
Thank you, Kathy! I enjoy working with you on PIP.
Congratulations my sweet friend Robin for being member of the week, you certainly deserve it

You are a wonderful treasure and so sweet to everyone

You are simply the best

12 Answers

+23 votes
Congratulations on beeing nominated as member of the week and thank you for all you do on WikiTree. You are a great member who is always willing to help and support others.

And good luck with the further research of your husbands paternal grandfather; ist seems that he was a very interesting man.
by Dieter Lewerenz G2G Astronaut (3.1m points)
Thank you, Dieter, for your comments and support. You're always encouraging to all of us.

I've really enjoyed working on my husband's grandfather and been surprised at some of what I've found in my research to confirm family stories. I'm hoping to to finish his life soon.
+23 votes
Robin, my dear and wonderful friend through G2G, congratulations on being the member of the week!   I loved reading more about your life and your hobbies.    You are such a great example for others on WikiTree.
by Alexis Nelson G2G6 Pilot (837k points)
Thank you, Alexis! I can always depend on you for encouragement and kind words, my friend.
+22 votes
Congrats Robin! It's great to learn more about you!
by Chandra Garrow G2G6 Mach 6 (69.3k points)
Thank you, Chandra!
+17 votes
Congratulations on being the Member of the Week, Robin! It is great to read about your genealogical life and what brought you to WikiTree as well as your hobbies and family.
by Virginia Fields G2G Astronaut (1.2m points)
Thank you, Virginia! I really enjoy being a part of this community.
+12 votes
zit's about time you got nomninated
by David Hughey G2G Astronaut (1.7m points)
Thanks David! You made me smile.
+11 votes
Hi Robin,

First, I checked and we are 13th cousins 3X removed through MRCA John Boys of Kent, England! So, 'hello cousin!'

Thank you very much for your very interesting and sincere profile. I really enjoyed reading about your brick walls, outside interests, and your PIP Voyage feedback.

I see your name so frequently and wonder who you are and what you might be about and here you are in Meet the Members. And now I am in the know. Thank you!
by Carol Baldwin G2G Astronaut (1.1m points)
Hello Carol, thank you for your kind words. I followed our 'trails' back to our common relative. I have to admit that some of my ancestors in that trail were unfamiliar to me. But now I'll have to try to get to know them better (and you). It's nice to find another cousin!
+11 votes
Congratulations, Robin, on being named wikitreer of the week, and thank you for all you do for our tree.  It turns out we are seventh cousins, three times removed, through Dodge and Herrick connections. Warm familial greetings, cousin!
by Mark Weinheimer G2G Astronaut (1.2m points)
It's nice to find another cousin! I'm a bit familiar with the Dodge/Herrick connection as Mary (Dodge) Herrick was the sister of my 5th gr-grandfather. Thank you for your kind congratulations!
You are more than welcome, Robin.  One of the things I like best about our tree, is that the work we do benefits so many other, unknown, cousins.  Today I made a  single connection that blossomed my wife's tree immensely.  Thank you, and all of our fellow Wikitreers for all of the contributions that make our mutual tree more complete.
The Herrick connection fascinates me, because I live a few hundred yards from the foot of Herrick Road, here in Bramans Corners, Duanesburg, New York.  I once traced the families, on FamilySearch, but they aren't quite here, yet, on WikiTree.
As it happens, there is also a Hardin Road, here, a few hundred yards from Herrick Road.  These are the things that I find amazing and wonderful,  I am entirely unaware of the Hardin family, here, but I'm sure there is some local record.
Mark, I have a Dodge Family book which shows a number of Herricks (didn't find any Hardins yet). I'll try to spend some time on this family soon and see if I can add anything to WT for them.
+10 votes
Congratulations Robin,

What a wonderful and interesting read! Thank you so much for sharing your WikiTree journey, filled with wonderful insights and encouragement to others.  Well done my little cousin.
by Nicole Boorse G2G6 Pilot (882k points)
Thank you my dear friend!! You have been a big part of the journey and always a help and encouragement along the way! Your friendship is very special to me.
+9 votes
Hi Robin!

Congratulations on being chosen as member of the week! What a great interview!!

 I'm pleased and honored to have been one of your Voyagers on the PIP Voyage, and to have remained in contact since then. Your invaluable  guidance has taught me to build better profiles, and to use better, reliable sources, and so much more.

I truly enjoy learning more about you and I treasure your friendship. Thank you for all you do for WikiTree!
by Donna Harris G2G6 Mach 2 (21.1k points)
Thank you Donna! I'm happy that we had the opportunity to get to know each other and to become friends. You've always been supportive and I appreciate your kind words very much.
+8 votes
Robin, Congratulations on your WikiTreer of the Week nomination. Way to go! You certainly deserve it for all of your great efforts.
by Marion Ceruti G2G6 Pilot (345k points)
Thank you, Marion! I love WikiTree and the opportunity to work with so many nice folks, like you.
+7 votes
It is no wonder that you are the WikiTreer of the Week:  I have never seen a "Contributions to Thank-yous" ratio higher than yours!  That just means you are making contributions that are really helpful and valuable!  I look forward to collaborating with you some day!
by Bartley McRorie G2G6 Pilot (162k points)
Thank you, Bartley, for your encouraging comments. I enjoy WikiTree and always hope to be helpful. It's nice to meet you, and I hope our paths will cross again here.
+6 votes

Hi Robin,

I just want you to know that you are the very best teacher here on WikiTree, and what a honor to have you guide me through The PIP Voyage. 

I wish that every team leader here on WikiTree had your kind patient personality.

Thank you,

Keith

by Keith Mann Spencer G2G6 Mach 3 (30.1k points)
Thank you very much. Keith, for your kind comments!

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