Is there a quick and easy tutorial?

Question

I'm rather proficient in how ancestry.com works, but i'm lost here on WikiTree.

Answer 1

Hi Houston,

Welcome to WikiTree!

There are a number of resources to help you get started and when in doubt, just ask.  You will find the WikiTree community a very helpful and friendly bunch.

Here is a basic tutorial for WikiTree beginners:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrsUSbOaZxs&ab_channel=WikiTree

Here is another series with a lot of information called "Welcome to WikiTree":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76UUx8QAESc&ab_channel=WikiTree

I found these to be a good starting point and then you can explore the other videos on the WikiTree Channel.

There are also monthly New Member Q and A sessions held on Zoom.

 https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Space:New_Member_Q_and_A_via_Zoom

 Though the site is packed full of information, I sometimes found it difficult to locate the instructions on how to do something specific from within WikiTree.  However, I found by doing an simple internet search beginning with "WikiTree how to...", it would almost always show the top search results with the correct WikiTree page.  I then bookmark them so that I can find the instructions easily the next time I need them.

Another great way to become acquainted with WikiTree is to sign up for the Profile Improvement Program (PIP).  The goal of the Voyage is to develop the skills needed to improve profiles using the community developed guidelines.  You as the PIP Voyager are matched up with a Voyage Guide who will help guide you on how to build and improve one of your profiles on your watchlist.  It is a great learning tool as well as a handy badge to have if you eventually want to join any of the Special Project teams later on.

 https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Space:Profile_Improvement_Project_Voyage

 Lastly, take a look at completed profiles to see how they entered information to use as an example for creating profiles.  Here is a link to a page that has a few examples.

 https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Space:Completeness_Checklist

 Be patient as it is a learning curve; however, if you stick with it, I am confident that you will you begin to love it.

Happy WikiTreeing!

Comments

Really useful info. Thanks for providing your insight and experience.

Answer 2

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

That is a place to start.  There tutorials, there is a YouTube channel.  Look at the Help menu, poke around a little and you will find lots of help.

Answer 3

Good advice below, but don’t feel like everything has to be perfect or that you need to master every feature at once.

Begin with the basics—biographical details, sources, etc.—and then build on that foundation.

Remember, this is a collaborative site. If something is missed, you can always go back later, or someone else might step in to improve it. The beauty of this system is that we are all working together to enhance the same profile, rather than each generation starting from scratch.