Needed - volunteers to help relatives who live far from members and are not sufficiently computer literate to enter DNA?

Question

This is an outgrowth from an answer to another question that was about how to get DNA results into WikiTree for relatives who are elderly and/or too computer challenged to do it themselves.  Here's my answer, with comments up to the present time:

After seeing several posts expressing frustration with this same problem I have an idea.

WikiTree has a group of people who have volunteered to provide boots-on-the-ground help with genealogy research near their home for other members who are far away but need to access records in person.

I think it's time that we make a list of members who live near another member's non-computer-literate relative and are willing to assist them in adding their DNA tests to WikiTree.

I'll start the ball rolling - will go to Marshall, Jackson, or Madison county in Alabama, United States if requested.

answered 2 hours ago by Gaile Connolly G2G6 Pilot (520k points)

I'm available in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area of Florida.

commented 1 hour ago by Rob Jacobson G2G6 Mach 8

I would be available near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho or between there and Spokane, WA. .  but  need to learn to do it first.

This is a great idea, Gaile!!!

commented 12 minutes ago by Barbara Roesch G2G6 Mach 3

Barbara, it's very easy.  You don't upload any data here - just enter where they took the test and the kit number.  Here's how:

1. On the menu at top right, click on your WikiTree ID and select DNA in the dropdown list.
2. At the top of the DNA page, click the DNA Tests tab.
3. Follow the instructions under "Add New Test Information"

commented 4 minutes ago by Gaile Connolly G2G6 Pilot

Comments

Posted on another thread, but will recap here:

While I think this may be helpful to a small set of users, I do not think that this would be a very viable or frequently used tool (idea). For instance, if it was an older relative, would they just welcome some stranger into their home? I have made quite a few "friends" here on WikiTree, and I mean absolutely no offense to anyone, but I am not quite ready to invite anyone over.

Instead, I think there should be a comprehensive guide written in up and as simple of terms as possible, with both images (screenshots) and links, that can be freely passed around to those who need help. I am sure some members would even help online, using a screen sharing tool and a phone call, rather than travelling to a stranger's home.

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Steven, I agree that some computer challenged people (probably most likely to be senior citizens) might not be ready to welcome a WikiTree member in their home, even at the request of one of their relatives who wants to arrange it.  It is also possible that some WikiTree members would not be comfortable offering to go to the home of a member who is in need of such help.

That, however, is not ample reason to not provide a list of members who are both willing and able to provide this kind of help, that could be utilized by members who have a relative located too far away for them to help in person.  I see this working the same way the research volunteer list works, even if it attracts fewer member volunteers and gets less use by members in need of this sort of help.

A comprehensive guide, no matter how simple, will still be way above and beyond the ability of some members to utilize.  What you call "a screen sharing tool" will also be beyond the ability of the members I am thinking of.

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Gaile,

While I believe that this is a noble idea, I don't see how something like this can be reasonably broadly implemented, except for the few people that members here on WikiTree might know personally. As Steven mentions, there are many folks that would not want to welcome strangers into their home, that would not recommend doing so for their relatives, or that would not be comfortable going into someone's home.

I see this as something much more significant than having someone volunteer to take cemetery photos for you or volunteering to do local research for someone else. I believe that there are additional issues that would need to be addressed.

For those that might need assistance and would consider actually having a stranger come into their home, what kind of protections would be in place for them? Would there be some sort of vetting process for volunteers to ensure the safety and security of those who might be willing to accept such help. If so, who would do that? Would WikiTree and/or a vetting committee be liable for any actions of the volunteers, if any problems were to occur, for facilitating such activity? What if an elderly uncle's expensive watch is missing after a volunteer visit? Or something worse?

And the safety of the volunteers that are actually willing to go into a stranger's home would need to be considered as well. Will the Wikitreers and their elderly relatives that are willing to accept volunteers into their homes be vetted? How can the volunteers be assured that they are walking into a safe and legitimate volunteer environment? What if an elderly uncle claims an expensive watch is missing after a volunteer visit? Or something worse?

While some may consider my views pessimistic or even alarmist, I consider myself a realist. This is a public web site, and as such it is subject to all the good and the bad that exists on the internet.

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The reason I specified within an hour of my location is that I will offer my assistance at our local public library. They have tables set up for us to work one-on-one. That will alleviate any security issues that I and those I work with would have.

Answer 1

I have created two Free Space Pages:

https://www.wikitree.com/index.php?title=Space:United_States_of_America_Volunteers_by_Location&public=1

and

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

where members can sign up to be local volunteers in specific locations

I recommend they meet at things like local libraries.

Comments

Thank you Laura.  I just signed up for Pierce County, WA

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Thanks David

Answer 2

You know, now that I think about it, my mothers newly found second cousin does live in the same city as my mother and this second cousin has successfully created her own profile and entered her DNA details.

Maybe I can ask her to help my mother to, not create a new profile, but at least give my mother access to the profile I have already created for her, and enter her DNA details.

That is a brilliant idea. Cant believe that never occurred to me.

I can send off an email and ask. No hurry when this gets done, but I'm sure it can be done.

I can be there on Skype while they are doing this...

UM can I give my mother trusted access to an unlisted profile?

I think that's OK, right?

Comments

Robynne:

You won't be able to attach DNA results to an unlisted (non-member) profile.  Your Mom would have to join as at least a "Family" member, and take control of her own profile first.

Ditto with being on a Trusted List for some other profile.  Only members can be on a Trusted List.

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

David

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Thanks David.

I might do the email invite but that can wait for a weekend when they are both available to get this done.

Answer 3

I'd be happy to help anyone in the Elgin-Middlesex area of Southern Ontario

Answer 4

I'd be happy to help anyone in the Winnipeg area of Southern Manitoba and nearby Northern Ontario.

Answer 5

Starting in April I can help in the Greater St Louis Missouri area which includes the parts of Illinois just over the Mississippi River and St Charles Missouri

Answer 6

I can help out in the Atlanta GA metro area.

Answer 7

I could help anyone who is within an hour of Leesburg, Lake County, Florida.

Answer 8

I'm available for anyone along the I-25 corridor of Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico

Answer 9

https://www.wikitree.com/g2g/756183/create-country-state-volunteers-available-providing-local

Answer 10

Would it be more helpful if these offers and requests were organized (alphabetically by city/country) on a WikiTree free space page?

Comments

From the first, I had been thinking about doing that, but haven't.  I think it's a good idea, can add to each whatever they are volunteering to do (or perhaps what they are NOT willing to help with).