How do you do anything in here

+7 votes
282 views
this is one confusing site. Everything seems to based on the fact that you already know all of the terms and what they are talking about.
This is one totally frustrating operation.
in WikiTree Help by Mike Cantin G2G1 (1.2k points)

4 Answers

+13 votes
 
Best answer
Mike, you should decide why, or whether, you want to be here.  

WikiTree is free.  That's a great attraction for some people.  I joined because I wanted a place to display my research to my relatives who were moderately interested in our family history, but not enough to pay for a subscription to a genealogy website.

There is a community you can draw on for help.  

The one-tree structure is attractive to some, but others would prefer to have their own tree (usually on a paid site).

WikiTree links DNA test information to ancestors so that other descendants/researchers can explore the genetic connections.

There is a learning curve.  Many of us have learned to deal with WT's structure and requirements fairly well.

The big downside (or one of them), I think, is that WT is not a records repository, so you will have to get your sources elsewhere.  The process for posting sources here is a bit more laborious than on Ancestry, for example, but there are some free apps and extensions that can make that easier.

If you decide the benefits are worth the effort, then I suggest starting with the Greeter messages on your profile, which should provide some links to help pages.
by Living Kelts G2G6 Pilot (551k points)
selected by Morgan Campbell
Thanks for the star, Morgan.
+14 votes
Hi Mike! Welcome to WikiTree! Nah, none of us already knew everything when we first got here. We all had to study the help pages, ask a bunch of questions here on G2G, and learn from our mistakes. You can help us help you by telling us a little more specifically what you are trying to do. All the best!
by Nelda Spires G2G6 Pilot (566k points)
Yeah, what Nelda said.  We all had to learn the "lingo" -- and  some of us are still learning it.  Things can seem confusing at first, but it does get better -- and easier -- I promise.
+10 votes
Welcome to WikiTree, Mike! As Nelda and Melanie have said, we all had to learn. You have made a good beginning with adding some of your ancestors and sourcing them. Just keep doing that, adding the information that you know and searching for new information. When you hit a wall, look in the Help drop-down button, ask here in G2G. Sometimes, just take a few minutes and read through the current G2G posts - I have been here since 2014 and I still do that. Before long, it will be much easier. We hope you enjoy the WikiTree journey and we look forward to your contributions!
by Virginia Fields G2G Astronaut (1.2m points)
+5 votes
Hi Mike!  Your twig on the WikiTree is well documented!  Thanks for all the sources.  Good job.

I added a generation to your mom's twig.
by Kitty Smith G2G6 Pilot (647k points)

Related questions

+2 votes
2 answers
+2 votes
3 answers
+1 vote
2 answers
161 views asked May 20, 2019 in WikiTree Help by Cindy Salters G2G Rookie (190 points)

WikiTree  ~  About  ~  Help Help  ~  Search Person Search  ~  Surname:

disclaimer - terms - copyright

...