Should i just give up now

+7 votes
489 views
I have much to contribute to Wikitree and would love to be able to do more but I don't have the technical skills/knowledge to be able to add sources etc and so I'm basically wondering if I should just give up now. I'm too scared to sign the honour code in case I mess things up therefore I can't even add the rest of my family!  I would appreciate some advice please on where I go from here?

Regards M.
WikiTree profile: M Private
in The Tree House by M Private G2G Crew (510 points)
recategorized by Abby Glann
Take it one step at a time. There is a lot of potential support from others if you want it. There's a learning curve. Everyone who has spent time here, had to crawl before they could walk. Hope you decide to give it a try.
Thank you Frank. I will give it another try.

M.
That's good to hear.

I hope you don't give up Private :) Many a time I've felt like walking away but it does get easier, it does click! I'm ADD so it took me a long time! :o If I can do it you can too! Any help I can possibly be to you please don't hesitate to message me. I'm not a mentor, nor am I an elite (pre 1500 genealogist), so I just may be able to help you in a way that is slow, steady, one step at a time, and non pressure :) 

10 Answers

+13 votes
 
Best answer
Yes, there's a learning curve at WikiTree, but it's a one time thing.  Read the help files, write questions here on G2G and practice.  Don't worry about making mistakes.  Everyone does.  I still do.  But I also learn every day.  Once you accept that it takes a while to get good at it you'll be on your way.  Sign the Honor Code and you'll be able to start adding profiles and get the experience you need and ask for help too. there are lots of friendly people here who will be happy to help you.
by Dave Dardinger G2G6 Pilot (434k points)
selected by M Private

I agree, it seems confusing at first but it gets easier.  I too am still not sure I do everything correctly.  However, the people here a very nice and helpful.  The Style Guide has a lot of helpful stuff.  If you have a specific question about adding sources, feel free to explain what has you confused.

Thanks for your prompt reply and encouragement. I'm basically self taught and so scared of making a complete fool of myself but I'm also terrified I mess up Wikitree. Is there any likelihood of this happening? I have tried umpteen times to add sources and I'm still not getting it right. What is the simplest way for me to do this in an acceptable way?

M.
It's next to impossible to mess up wikitree.  If you look at the changes tab on the profiles, there is an option to undo the changes.  So it's easy to fix mistakes.
Thanks John. That's reassuring. Perhaps I should look more to learning some computing skills!

I really don't want to give up now after putting in years of research. I'll plod on and see how I do. It's good to know I can come back here and ask for help

thank you to everyone for your replies

M.
Thanks very much Dave. Yes I think I'll sign the honour code now and add the rest of my family. Hopefully then I won't feel quite so frustrated and be able to relax a bit. There's so much pressure to add sources which I can understand the need for and take seriously but in so doing I also put myself under huge pressure. I'll keep trying for now and see how it goes. After all I might lack technical/computing skills but not research skills so hopefully I'll be able to contribute better to wikitree eventually!

Thanks again. M.
+12 votes
Don't give up. You can do it. WikiTree can be overwhelming at first but gradually you will catch on. I am learning by reading every answer on G2G to a question that concerns something that isn't familiar to me.

As far as sources, you can easily find sources on FamilySearch.org. Each record has a source citation that you can copy and paste into WikiTree.

Ask questions. Your questions are also helping others learn along with you. Inch by inch, its a cinch!
by J Kline G2G6 Mach 3 (39.6k points)
+15 votes
While there are people here who will correct you when you err, there is no penalty, no points taken away, no shaming.

Don't be afraid to enter folks, do the best  you can with  documentation, don't worry about any of it,

It will all be OK in the end, if it isn't OK, it isn't yet the end.
by Tom Bredehoft G2G6 Pilot (207k points)
Thank you so much Tom. I feel the better for hearing your kind words of encouragement.

M.
Hi Tom, I think I'm even doing this wrong! It's my first time conversing on G2G so I'm getting confused with comment and reply but want you to know I feel the better for your kind words (and everyone else's)

Thank you

M.
there's no real difference between "comment" and "reply"
+13 votes
The honor code is not a pledge to be perfect at all times. Rather, it is a pledge to try your best. Nobody's perfect, and nobody's expecting you to be perfect!
by Ellen Smith G2G Astronaut (1.5m points)
+9 votes
It will shortly be a year since I have been a member and am still learning things, it does have a high learning curve, check out YouTube, people learn in different ways and perhaps some of the lessons of a visual nature may be more helpful, for example - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrsUSbOaZxs.

Patience is the main thing, be willing to learn and love what you are doing.  Good luck.
by James LaLone G2G6 Mach 6 (61.4k points)
+8 votes
I'm technology challenged. Don't worry about mistakes, there's always someone who will offer to help you out. We've all been there and done that. BTW, welcome to Wikitree. :)
by J Murray G2G6 Mach 3 (36.8k points)
+5 votes
Nobody is perfect.....just do your best. Others will help. We collaborate, not discriminate.
by Doug Lockwood G2G Astronaut (2.6m points)
+6 votes

Part of the good news is that you also have a mentor who can help you .. Your mentor is Michelle (Saucier) Ladner (Saucier-101 )

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Saucier-101

You can communicate with her. Your passion for genealogy is wonderful. 

I sent your mentor a note in your regard. 

By taking the time and effort to ask for help on G2G demonstrates to me you are a WikiTreer ! 

We are a team. 

by Stanley Baraboo G2G Astronaut (1.4m points)
edited by Robin Lee
+5 votes
Hi, I am going to contact you as I am a WikiTree Mentor and I would like to help you.
by Michelle Ladner G2G6 Mach 1 (16.0k points)
+2 votes
Where sourcing is concerned, this is easy to use and free

https://familysearch.org/search

Just put a name, county/country and date range in if you don't know the exact place or exact dates, then usually you will be able to find a birth, death, marriage and/or census record from the results, for the person you are entering on Wikitree. When you click on a person, you will see the record summary and a citation underneath that you can copy and paste.
by Gillian Causier G2G6 Pilot (288k points)

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