A few weeks ago, I asked how you share your genealogy with family. But this week, I’m wondering about collaboration.
In my family, I have a few interested in genealogy, but only more distant cousins I’ve met through genealogy whom I have shared with, but we don’t collaborate. We share what we learn, but we don’t have a common tree that we work on like I hear Crista Cowan , The Barefoot Genealogy from Ancestry talks about (lucky girl to have parents that are so interested).
Do you collaborate with other family members? If so, are they close relatives or more distant? Do you have a common tree? Do you do Ancestry Circles (group message)? Leave your comment below.
Our family association has a Research Committee. This is a decendancy of a 1762 immigrant to Pennsylvania and his wife. We have over 7,000 people in the database. The committee meets weekly on Zoom. We all have RootsMagic9. Only one person does the editing to the tree and it is stored on Dropbox where everyone can see it and even download it, but only that one person has editing power. There are still missing people born after 1880, but we are looking for people born after 1910, and then there are those born after the 1950 US Census.
The Research Committee members are 5th cousins or more. We have all met in person at reunions or have close relatives who know the others.
We share the database via gedcom with any family member, and we watch the online trees to watch out for incorrect information being posted and notify people when we see errors; and protest loudly when interlopers try to join the family.
Edward, That sounds very interesting. I belong to a similar group for the Middlebrook Society. Your group sounds like a dedicated group and I love how you’re able to meet on Zoom. How long as your group been working on the project?
The shape of the project has changed with technology. It started 60 years ago with 2 post binders holding legal-size family group sheets. Information was shared in a printed newsletter or mailed copies of family group sheets. Research was done at family reunions, hours scrolling through microfilm, writing letters, and phone calls. All but three of the original collaborators are now deceased and only one is active.
Computers have changed all of that. Weekly video meetings began just prior to COVID-19. The project predates most of the committee members’ births.
Edward, That is amazing and shows true dedication on everyone’s part. I always admire those that have huge family reunions and have so many that are dedicated to their genealogy. Happy hunting.
My son helps me on my tree. He has edit access to my online tree.
Most others have view capability and we share information.
Marcy, your so lucky to have a son that’s has the same interest as you do. My boys listen to the stories but that’s as far as it goes. Happy hunting.