How long have you been on WikiTree?
I found Wiki Tree when I did a Google search, "free online family tree". I signed up immediately in 2017!
What do you spend the most time doing?
I am currently working on my CC7 but I am involved in the Appalachia Project. My focus in that project is connecting profiles mostly in the Middle Tennessee area of Appalachia. Since my children’s fathers are from the same area, I try to see how they all fit with my mother’s ancestors. I am also working on my father’s family in Ohio, West Virginia.
What else do you do in the Appalachia Project?
I have helped by categorizing and stickering the appropriate profiles and helping a fellow WikiTree member, Kristina Wheeler, with her research project on Dekalb County, Tennessee.
How can others help the project?
We could use the help of getting the profiles that qualify with improving the profiles, especially the biographies, putting stickers, cemetery categories, etc.
Do you consider your work here to be part of your legacy?
Yes! I hope to be able to leave a legacy of documenting not just my own ancestors but helping others with theirs.
What is your favorite feature on WikiTree?
The ability of being able to see the connections and relationships to different ancestors and others not directly related. Sometimes just knowing how everyone connects is fun to me.
What feature would you most like to see added or improved?
I think if WikiTree could come up with something to make it easier to read for those that have challenging eyesight. A large print version of WikiTree so I don't have to change my zoom settings on my browser.
Do you have a story about how someone was helped through your participation?
My daughter-in-law’s great uncle was able to get the letters he wrote to a man that had started a program for soldiers during WW2. The program was to write letters to soldiers. I was branching out my daughter-in-law's grandmother's family when I found a profile already made. Come to find out, the profile manager’s grandfather was involved in the same program during WW2. What a coincidence! I suggested to the PM that we might want to start a free-space page. We did and I shared it in some Facebook groups I am in for Putnam county, TN. I found a relative who knew the great uncle which allowed me to get in touch with Cathryn Hondros, the PM for the profile who had the letters.
Do you have a story about how you were helped through the work of others on WikiTree?
I never really actually got officially involved in a project until I volunteered for the 1950 census project. When that ended, Sandy Patak invited me to the Appalachia Project. I have learned so much from the other members of that project! We all seem to have a bond to one another as an extended family you might say.
Do you have any tips for someone who wants to get more involved in our community?
Find what ethnic groups or regions you are interested in and jump in. There are so many resources and people to help you figure out the steps to learn WikiTree.
What could we do to inspire more people to participate in our mission?
I think we all do a pretty job of inspiring people to participate. So just keep on what you are doing. Keep spreading the word about WikiTree.
