Family Data, Millennium Files oh my....

Question

What exactly are the Millennium files and Family Data indexes on Ancestry.com? Are these reliable sources and is there a site or repository that can be examined outside of Ancestry's site?

Answer 1

Not at all reliable. Even ancestry says "Databases like these are great starting points for beginning your research."

But because they are compendiums from lots of different databases, they are not considered sources. And there isn't someplace else you can go look. You may very well be able to find the same data in a reliable and/or at least a better source.

Comments

Ancestry's definition of Millenium File "created by the Institute of Family Research to track the records of its clients and the results of its professional research. It contains more than 880,000 linked family records, with lineages from throughout the world, including colonial America, the British Isles, Switzerland, and Germany. Many of these lineages extend back to nobility and renowned historical figures. In fact, one of the things the Millennium File focuses on is linking to European nobility and royalty."

Comment from Me: If it says linking to nobility - BEWARE!

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That's kind of what I suspected. I was looking for the references and sources for the citations and started to wonder when I couldn't find anything online.

Answer 2

Millennium File is the product of Ancestry's consulting division.

I imagine they work like all consultants - suss out what the customer wants and give it to them.

I have a suspicion that sometimes they put stuff in Millennium File so they can then cite it as a source.