What brought you to WikiTree?
I've always been interested in open data being a long-time Wikipedia editor, so an open wiki Pando tree always made intuitive sense to me. I started on WeRelate, switching to WikiTree in 2016 when that site started to decline.
I'm also a trustee of FreeUKGenealogy, the UK charity that supports the FreeREG, FreeBMD, and FreeCEN projects.
What do you spend the most time doing on WikiTree?
Besides researching my own tree and my One Name Studies, I enjoy sourcing, particularly in Norfolk. It's a clear way to improve our collective tree because without sources we can't be sure the profile details are correct and can't resolve any discrepancies.
Which project are you most involved in?
I'm most involved in the Norfolk Team within the England Project, where I help with sourcing.
How can others help the Norfolk Team?
Like other counties in England, we have lots of unsourced profiles where sources are easy to find on sites like FamilySearch and FreeREG. I'm happy to talk it through with anyone who has some spare time and wants to help out!
What inspires you to contribute so much of yourself to WikiTree's mission?
It's really important to me that all of my research is available to others to use and benefit from in decades to come - rather than ending up as scribbles on scraps of paper in the loft.
What is your favorite feature or function on WikiTree?
There are loads of great functions - the Relationship Finder I use a lot when connecting with relatives.
What feature or function would you most like to see added or improved?
WikiTree X used to work well, then stopped. I think a semi-automated profile importer, e.g. from FamilySearch or FreeREG, would have huge potential, if it could be done in a high quality and sustainable way.
Do you have a story about how you were helped through the work of others on WikiTree?
All the time! I regularly work with cousins on common ancestors and my One Name Studies rely heavily on other people researching my surnames of interest.
Do you have any tips for someone who wants to get more involved in our community?
Find your niche that you enjoy and keep doing it!
What could we do to inspire more people to participate in our mission?
Many online communities get to a stage of maturity where people are established in their roles and processes and routines get solidified. The risk is that it becomes more and more difficult for 'newbies' to get involved, particularly if they don't particularly want to do things the established way.
WikiTree seems to be getting to that stage. I think it's important to monitor what is happening there - are we still attracting new users, new project members, new leaders, etc. Are we still growing? If not, why not and what can be done to rejuvenate the community?
