What is the main purpose of Wikitree and what is/are the goal(s)?

Question

Users have numerous different goals but I would like to know the official standpoint.

Thanks

Jean

Answer 1

Hi Jean, see Help:About WikiTree.

"Our mission is to grow an accurate single family tree that connects us all and is freely accessible to us all, forever."

Comments

Sorry for any confusion; I believe that at our current stage WikiTree needs both a "relaxed" policy for post-1700 profiles and a "strict" policy for pre-1500 ones.  If you consider these "extremes," that's not my word for it.  We want to attract new members who, in general, are mainly interested in their immediate Family Tree and connections, then Educate Them about genealogy and finding reliable sources that confirm their family history (or not).  Too strict at the outset for recent profiles will turn newcomers off (and we Are a "Wiki" site - which implies free access); allowing a "free-for-all" for deep and multiple-shared ancestors (pre-1700) and especially pre-1500 ones, where sources are specialized, will hurt our credibility.  

As with the Buddha, I choose a Middle Road.

Best always

Chet Snow

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Thanks for the clarification

Quantity before quality is giving WikiTree a bad reputation as an unreliable site. People are telling others not to use it as it is unreliable.

I am hearing it more often from different groups outside of WikiTree. We are so many that use so much of our free time for quality, I feel we deserve better. I know I use way too much time that I could use to add new profiles following unreliable sources for nothing.

So no matter how great we think it could be and is we need to face the facts. That is not how we are being perceived.

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Jean, feel free to propose a change to the current rules.

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Help:Developing_New_Rules

You may want to look at previous proposals first, though, as it's possible that your idea (whatever it may be) has been proposed before.

https://www.wikitree.com/g2g/tag/proposals

Good luck with that. 

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Thank you, Ian, for the positive suggestion.  One good thing about WikiTree is that we are a community and suggestions do get considered - not always agreed to but definitely considered.

Jean, I am sorry you and apparently some of your friends feel as you say you do.  My comment was that "at the beginning..." WikiTree focused on quantity but I clearly stated that such was Not the Case today.  Since 2016 the leadership team has worked ceaselessly to improve profiles and especially to Educate our members about the issues you raise.  But, and there is a but, we remain a "Wiki" site and that means "Free access" not "professional standards".   As someone who has done a lot of research on other public genealogy sites (including Ancestry) I can safely say that WikiTree stands out for its Transparency and Ease with which informed members can Improve "Open"  profiles - all that are over 150 years old must be Open.  I do not find that on the other sites.  Yes, many of the "early-created" profiles need work but we have Projects and Teams that are improving things daily - remember we are all Volunteers.  

By all  means, please make positive specific proposals that will improve our Tree and methods but please honor our commitment to free public access especially to more-recent ancestors where personal knowledge can be important.

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Clarification - you are making assumptions

"please honor our commitment to free public access especially to more-recent ancestors where personal knowledge can be important"

I do that often and work very hard at it!!!! I have been doing genealogy for 50 years worldwide. I have pushed using Wikitree for 2 Societies one in UK and one in North America and the Clan. I have been a DNA admin for almost 15 years also push there for my group to use Wikitree. 

" apparently some of your friends feel as you say you do"
On a personal basis I have no idea who these people are - nor did I even hint they were friends. I belong to loads of groups and that is where I hear it sometimes. I do not take part in the conversation.

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Please answer the question asked:  What does this mean? Without clarification I don't know what you are talking about.

We need to agree to use

The golden mean or golden middle way

The desirable middle between two extremes

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I explained it the best I could -- 

Below the basic required by Wikitree and extreme Chicago method required by projects

The first is way too basic the other is way too difficult for many--they need to agree and promote somewhere in the middle of these 2 ways in my opinion "The middle way between the 2 extremes" 

Sourcing

 a basic list=one extreme

•  National Records of Scotland
• The Invereshie Book, A Clan Treasure 
• National Library of Scotland
• Kirk Session Records Scotland
• ScotlandsPeople 

The other extreme that projects promote. Using inline and the Chicago method=the other extreme 

• ↑ ^1.0 1.1 “Extract Discharge and Assignation” Collection of records held by the National Records of Scotland National Records of Scotland, Catalogue (https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/research/catalogues-and-indexes/: accessed 1 Jul 2021), Extract Discharge and Assignation (2 copies) whereby Anna Forbes, relict of Ewen Mcphersone of Clunie discharges Andrew Mcphersone, now of Clunie, eldest son and apparent heir of said Ewen, of the articles of the marriage contract in GD80/14 on payment of 4500 merks by Ewen Mcphersone, tutor of Clunie, and assigns said Ewen the annualrent of 1000 merks due to her by said contract 9 Jun 1652 Registered in Inverness sheriff court books, 9 June, 1652 Reference Number: MacPherson of Cluny Papers GD80/21
• ↑ The Invereshie Book, A Clan Treasure (31 Mar 2011), [1] : accessed 1 Jul 2021), May 1650 N.B. That two or three gentlemen of the name of McPherson happening accidentallie at Inverness as Montrose was led prisoner that way with a convoy of 2 or 3 troops of horse he knowing them as he passed by saluted them and ask if Ewan of Cluny was yet in life, they told him no and that they were heartily sorrie to see his lordship under such restraint at which drawing his hat over his eyes he wept exceedingly and said Waes me then, I am a gon man adding that if he were in life he would expect to be released ere he past Spey Reference: Part 2 – The Genealogies of the Mcphersons page 22
• ↑ "Curatory of Andrew Macpherson of Cluny given to John Forbes and others 1658". (Item Ch.1680 National Library of Scotland : accessed 1 Jul 2021)
• ↑ The Invereshie Book, A Clan Treasure (31 Mar 2011), [2] : accessed 1 Jul 2021), It was in Aberdeen, that Ewan’s sword was claimed to have broken upon the High street Reference: Part 2 – The Genealogies of the Mcphersons page 14
• ↑ "Kirk Session Records Scotland: Virtual Volumes" National Records of Scotland, ScotlandsPeople (https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/: accessed 1 Jul 2021), Reference Number: CH2/271/2, image 63 Moray synod, Minutes 13 Jan 1648
• ↑ “Collection of records held by the National Records of Scotland National Records of Scotland, Catalogue” (https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/research/catalogues-and-indexes/: accessed 1 Jul 2021), Marriage Contract between Euine Mcphersoune [McPherson], only lawful son and apparent heir of Andrew Mcphersone of Grainge [Grange], and Anna Forbes, lawful daughter of Duncan Forbes of Cullodine [Culloden].25 Aug 1641 Reference Number: Warrand of Bught General Series GD23/4/9
• ↑ “Collection of records held by the National Records of Scotland National Records of Scotland, Catalogue” (https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/research/catalogues-and-indexes/: accessed 1 Jul 2021), Minute of ante-nuptial marriage contract between Ewen Mcphersoune, only son and apparent heir of Andrew Mcphersoune of Grainge, and his said father, on the one part, and Anna Forbes, daughter of Duncan Forbes of Cullodine, and her said father, on the other, whereby said Anna is to be infeft in an annualrent of 10 chalders victual furth of the lands of Grainge in sheriffdom of Bamff, or, if said lands are disponed away, in a yearly duty of 800 merks furth of said Andrew's lands in Badinoche, with 200 merks more of casualties, reserving lands of Clunie; Anna's tocher is 5000 merks 25 Aug 1641 Reference Number: MacPherson of Cluny Papers GD80/13
• ↑ "Coats of arms" Court of Lord Lyon, ScotlandsPeople (https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/ : accessed 1 Jul 2021), Duncan Mcphersone of Clunie (Coats of arms Volume 1 Page No 185Z) Reference Number: Vol 1 Record 1645
• see https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Macpherson-649

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Our quality is not good enough and I disagree, it seems to me that quantity is still more important than quality. It is hurting our credibility---

The facts

Wikitree came up as a source and the comment was
"Wikitree is filled with inaccurate info."

This was comment in Oct 2020 in Scottish Indexes Group 12.5K members---That is a lot of people all with an interest in genealogy that got the message that Wikitree is not reliable. 

That is only one and there are others. If we want to stop the bad reputation we are getting and get people that are interested in Genealogy to use Wikitree. We need to do something. We really need people that are interested in Genealogy to join not be turned away. We need to change to stop this rolling snowball before it is too late.

To propose a change to the current rules does not seem to be a solution and the member voting doesn't seem to count. I can't see that will make a difference.

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Hi Jean, 

You never know... A small percentage of proposals are actually accepted.  I think it's good for everyone to re-evaluate the system from time to time. The discussion is always healthy and well-reasoned.  Unfortunately, WikiTree is not a democracy, but I've been assured that the Team listens.   

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Sources

maybe an idea that could be worked on? a middle way???

 I have had to change so people understand them for the Nisbet  one name study.  I needed/need to to get our members to use Wikitree and see the advantage of being able to find the record. 

Links citations etc confuse many, yet there must be enough information to be able to find the record being referred to no matter what source you use. Paid sites as links do not help those that do not have a subscription and are an irritation. We can find a census record at family search, ancestry, find my past, Scotlands people  and many other places as long as you have the needed information with at least a basic abstract of the info  

Year and complete location is more than enough to be able to find and control a census record.

1860 Census Pilot Knob Grand Marsh, Adams, Wisconsin, USA 

• John Nesbet 30

that should then be enough and everyone understands it and it is easy to find on what ever site you use.

This is not the ideal genealogy standards but it works. Better than the minimum we require to-day. It is also very easy to understand what is listed  under Sources. Also very easy to see if you are missing a census or another record. Everyone should understand it and be able to use it. 

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Nisbet-1285

Sources 

I have add to delete som as post is too large

An autobiography by Nisbet, William, 1816-1886 his son

1. ↑ Deaths-Died at St. Mary's Isle, Kirkcudbright, on the 24th ult. (June, 1834), Mr. James Nisbet, gardener, aged 61 years - Dumfries and Galloway Courier jun 1934
2. ↑Banns/marriages index see profile
3. ↑ Banns/marriages abstract from image Scotlands People Old Parish Registers Abbotshall Fife 27 Aug 1796 at Abbotshall James Nisbet Parish of Jedburgh and Helen Nicol in this parish gave up their names to be proclaimed in order to marriage and after due process claimed they were married Sep 16th 1796 - 399/30 323 - Abbotshall
4. ↑ Inscription: Kirkcudbright Kirkcudbright Erected 11 Jul 1851 by Douglas Nisbet now residing in America as a tribute of respect to his father & brothers
5. ↑ An autobiography by Nisbet, William, 1816-1886
6. ↑ Baptism Index Scotlands People Old Parish Registers Lochgoilhead Argyll 1798 James Nesbet baptized 29 Apr 1798 at Lochgoilhead child of James Nesbet and Nelly Nicol - 527/110 389 - Lochgoilhead
7. ↑ Baptism Index Scotlands People Old Parish Registers see profile
8. ↑ Baptism Index Scotlands People Old Parish Registers see profile
9. ↑ Baptism Index Scotlands People Old Parish Registers Lochgoilhead Argyll 1801 John Nisbet baptized 23 Jan 1801 at Lochgoilhead child of James Nisbet and Nelly Nicol - 527/110 392 - Lochgoilhead
10. ↑ Baptism Index Scotlands People Old Parish Registers Lochgoilhead Argyll 1801 see profile
11. ↑ Baptism Index Scotlands People Old Parish Registers Kilmorich Argyll 1801 see profile
12. ↑ Baptism Index Scotlands People Old Parish Registers Kirkcudbright Kirkcudbright 1803 Margaret Nisbet baptized 31 Jan 1803 at Kirkcudbright child of James Nisbet and Helen Nicol - 871/10 334 - Kirkcudbright
13. ↑ Baptism Index Scotlands People Old Parish Registers Kirkcudbright Kirkcudbright 1804 Walter Nisbet baptized 30 Mar 1804 at Kirkcudbright child of James Nisbet and Helen Nicol - 871/10 346 - Kirkcudbright
14. ↑ Baptism Index Scotlands People Old Parish Registers Kirkcudbright Kirkcudbright 1805 Walter Nisbet baptized 23 Mar 1805 at Kirkcudbright child of James Nisbet and Helen Nicol - 871/10 356 - Kirkcudbright
15. ↑ Baptism Index Scotlands People Old Parish Registers Kirkcudbright Kirkcudbright 1807 Robert Nisbet baptized 04 Mar 1807 at Kirkcudbright child of James Nisbet and Helen Niele - 871/10 371 - Kirkcudbright
16. ↑ Baptism Index Scotlands People Old Parish Registers Kirkcudbright Kirkcudbright 1809 Henry Nisbet baptized 15 Jun 1809 at Kirkcudbright child of James Nisbet and Elisabeth Nicol - 871/10 388 - Kirkcudbright
17. ↑ Baptism Index Scotlands People Old Parish Registers Kirkcudbright Kirkcudbright 1809 Helen Nisbet baptized 15 Jun 1809 at Kirkcudbright child of James Nisbet and Elisabeth Nicol - 871/10 388 - Kirkcudbright
18. ↑ Baptism Index Scotlands People Old Parish Registers Kirkcudbright Kirkcudbright 1811 Helen Nisbet baptized 25 Aug 1811 at Kirkcudbright child of James Nisbet and Helen Nicol - 871/10 405 - Kirkcudbright
19. ↑ Baptism Index Scotlands People Old Parish Registers Kirkcudbright Kirkcudbright 1813 Isobella Nisbet baptized 21 Jul 1813 at Kirkcudbright child of James Nisbet and Helen Nicol - 871/10 421 - Kirkcudbright
20. ↑ Death Abstract Statutory (Civil) Records Scotland Edinburgh Midlothian Death 11 May 1868 Isabella Nisbet 54 widow (daughter of James Nisbet and Helen Nicol) wife of David Wilson reported by George Wilson, stepson
21. ↑ Baptism Index Scotlands People Old Parish Registers Kirkcudbright Kirkcudbright 1816 William Nisbet baptized 21 Jul 1816 at Kirkcudbright child of James Nisbet and Helen Nicol - 871/10 447 - Kirkcudbright
22. ↑ Baptism Index Scotlands People Old Parish Registers Kirkcudbright Kirkcudbright 1818 Jane Wederburn Nesbet baptized 17 May 1818 at Kirkcudbright child of James Nesbet and Helen Nicol - 871/10 466 - Kirkcudbright
23. ↑ Baptism Index Scotlands People Old Parish Registers Kirkcudbright Kirkcudbright 1818 Elisabeth Catha Nesbet baptized 17 May 1818 at Kirkcudbright child of James Nesbet and Helen Nicol - 871/10 466 - Kirkcudbright
24. ↑ Baptism Index Scotlands People Old Parish Registers Kirkcudbright Kirkcudbright 1820 Douglas Nisbet baptized 21 Dec 1820 at Kirkcudbright child of James Nisbet and Helen Nicol - 871/20 5 - Kirkcudbright
25. ↑ Baptism Index Scotlands People Old Parish Registers Kirkcudbright Kirkcudbright 1823 Mary Anna Nisbet baptized 27 Dec 1823 at Kirkcudbright child of James Nisbet and Helen Nichol - 871/20 14 - Kirkcudbright
26. ↑ Jan 27 1868 Henry Nisbet esq., writer, banker and Procurator Fiscal at Tobermory firm of Nisbet and Sproat died Feb 9 1867 at Tobermory Inventory; General Disposition and Deed of Settlement Dunoon Sheriff Court SC51/32/15
27. ↑ late James Nisbet Sheriff Court SC39/8/29 Edinburgh Sheriff Court Records Register of Extract Decrees 1852
28. ↑ 1851 Census Queen Arcade, 2, Barony, Blythswood, Lanarkshire, Scotland Barony, Blythswood Lanark