[Genealogy] Genealogy Misconceptions and More

Fri Dec 19 08:35:51 CST 2025

Today:

*Genealogy Misconceptions
*Full-Text and Catalog Webinars

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Genealogy Misconceptions
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*Note: This originally ran in the former **Ancestry Daily News** on 29
February 2000.*

This is a semi-serious look at some misconceptions that genealogists (and
non-genealogists) have about family history.

*1) We all have a famous ancestor, somewhere.* I have found the names of
over three hundred of my ancestors and have yet to have any of them qualify
as “famous.” In some cases, you may want to reconsider being related to
someone famous. Hard-working, law-abiding relatives are nothing to be
ashamed of. Try and document your ancestors accurately, whether they were
famous or not.

*2) There are no “early” babies or shady stories in my family tree.* Trace
your ancestry completely for six generations and then we will talk.

*3) There were three brothers with the last name of [Takeyourpick] who came
to America. We descend from the youngest (oldest, middle, tallest,
smartest, etc.).* If this is true, then the number of families who had
three sons is beyond statistical expectations. Check it out.

*4) Immmigrants were all poor.* There’s no doubt that the vast majority of
them were and came to America with only the clothes on their backs. Once in
a while though, you’ll find one who had a little bit of money and came to
America hoping to make more.

*5) Life before 1900 was one of bucolic pastoral bliss, dotted by barn
raisings and church socials.* Life before 1900 was hard. No running water,
no electricity, no law (in some areas), rudimentary medical care (if any),
child labor, and few of life’s creature comforts. This only scratches the
surface. I’m not even so certain life was “simple.” If I want a loaf of
bread, I go to the store. Great-great-grandma likely did not.

*6) Everyone likes to hear the tales of “notorious” ancestors.* Not
everyone will think the story of great-great-great-grandma’s four husbands,
two divorces, involvement in a murder, and the running of a tavern should
be included in the family history.

*7) Census ages are always correct.* You must be kidding.

*8) Official records should not contain errors.* They do. The best way to
deal with it is to try and research around it where possible.

*9) Genealogists are all retired.* Not so. There are genealogists out there
who have yet to hit forty or retirement. If you see one who has yet to hit
puberty, tell them to interview their grandparents now. Most of all
encourage them, gently.

*10) Genealogy is not an intellectual hobby.* Ever tried to read through
(and understand) sixty pages of court records from the 1840s? I’ve taken
calculus exams that made more sense. Same thing goes for platting property
in metes and bounds. Talk about applied mathematics.

*11) My family has a castle in Europe.* Some did, but don’t believe it
until you see it. Don’t really believe it until you see the deed, title,
etc.

*12) My ancestor served with Washington, Lee, Grant, etc.* Choose your war
. . . take your pick. There are lots of these stories. Check them out
before believing them. Document your ancestor’s service, accurately.

*13) I got it on the Internet, therefore it must be true.* Nope.

*14) I got it on the Internet, therefore it must be false.* Nope.

*15) I can do my genealogy entirely via the Internet.* Nope.

*16) I can do my genealogy without the Internet.* Possibly, but it really
saves time.

*17) The records in State Y are closing because it was posted to the
genealogy mailing list for that state.* Check out rumors before you spread
them. Think before you forward or copy and paste this type of information
to other people or lists.

*18) I can do all my research using only vital records, obituaries, and
census records.*Goodness! There’s a vast treasure trove of other sources
out there that you can utilize.

*19) My surname has always been spelled the same way; we never changed
it.* Maybe,
but then again, maybe not.

*20) Everyone replies to e-mail immediately.* Some genealogists have
non-genealogy commitments, such as family and employment. Be patient and
wait a few days before posting a follow-up e-mail.

*21) I can trace my ancestry in one afternoon at the computer.* Time for a
reality check.

*22) I can trace my ancestors in one afternoon at the Family History
Center.* (see number 21)

*23) Someone has already traced my entire family tree. I Just Have to Find
It.* That’s the tricky part—finding it! Then comes the fun of documenting
it.

*24) Documentation is only for genealogical geeks who get cheap thrills by
asking, “Where did you find it?”* How will you ever compare three different
birth dates for Grandpa if you don’t know where you obtained each date?

*25) Genealogists are nuts.* More likely they are truly focused on their
research. However, one correspondent told me that working on genealogy
“beats spending all my free time at a bar.”

*26) Genealogists are rude at the courthouse or library.* Genealogists are
people and a few are rude. Just make certain it’s not you. No family
historian wants to walk into the courthouse just after the most obnoxious
genealogist on the planet has left the building.

*27) Genealogy is boring.* You must be kidding. I’ve learned a great deal
about history, culture, and myself researching my own family.

*28) You ought to be done with that family history by now.* Well, I would
except every time I find one ancestor I have two more parents to learn
about.

*29) There is one best genealogical software package.* Most have their pros
and cons. Pick one that works for you, keep alert for new packages, but
only change when you have good reason to. Time spent upgrading and
upgrading and constantly learning new packages can be spent doing research.

*30) You are completely addicted if you search the ingredient list of your
breakfast cereal for your ancestral surnames.* This is likely true, but I’m
not admitting to this one in public!
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Using the FamilySearch Catalog--Webinar
-----------------------------------------------------

Delivery date of 11 January 2026

Pre-order at $20.00 <https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/WAF85QETY39FW>.
Normal price is $28.00

Confused about what is on FamilySearch? Having difficulty knowing what is
online there and how to access it? This presentation will lead you out of
the confusion.

Contents will include:

Various ways the catalog can be searched–the six verbal ways (location,
title, keyword, surname, author, subject) and the two more numeric ways
(call number and film/image group number). We will see how to:

   -

   effectively navigate the catalog search results,
   -

   determine how catalog materials can be accessed,
   -

   be aware of all geographic levels for a specific location,
   -

   determine what indexes and finding aids are available
   -

   see ways to avoid searching the same set of records multiple times
   accidentally,
   -

   see how common record types are frequently cataloged,

Preorder today and save $8.
<https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/WAF85QETY39FW>

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Revised Full-Text Searching Webinar for 2026

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We’re excited to offer this revised presentation on the full-text searching
at *FamilySearch*--reflecting changes made to the site since this was
recorded in August 2025. We’ve redesigned our presentation as this
functionality continues to change. And…we have an extensive handout
complete with forms to help you find more people. Available for download by
5 January 2026. Order now for $25
<https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/67D7Z5H4ZQHJA>.

If you have purchased an earlier version of this presentation--email me at
mjnrootdig at gmail.com for the code to order this revision for $10.
Fully Utilizing Full-Text Search: Revised for January 2026

Your purchase includes:

   - *A 90 minute (or more presentation)* you can view as often as you want.
   - *Detailed handout* with charts and forms to help organize your
   searches. Charts and forms sent as separate files you can edit and
   customize and not as a locked PDF you have to re-create yourself as a new
   document.

We’ll be including and discussing:

*Determining what is in Full-Text Search—*what you can access at home and
what you will have to be in a FamilySearch facility or affiliate to access.

*Seeing How AI Transcriptions are different*—they aren’t like the
transcriptions made by humans. That can change your approach.

*Remembering that Full-Text means every word*—approaches need to differ as
we aren’t looking up a name in an index any more.

*Asking Who* is in the record? We aren’t just searching for the main person
like we did with traditional indexes. We’ll discuss how to determine who
could be mentioned in a record.

*Determining How to search?* There are a variety of ways to search and
filter results. We’ll see how each one works to help determine the best
strategy.

*Creating search strategies*—how full-text search changes your approach and
why just dumping terms in search boxes is not always effective.

*Determining what you found* The interface does not always make this clear.
We will show you how to get beyond the confusion and help you get enough
detail for a citation.

*Creating effective problem-solving approaches*—what to do when you cannot
find something you want.

*Demonstrating practical examples*—completely new people and families from
our previous presentations.

Available 5 January 2026. Order now for $25
<https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/67D7Z5H4ZQHJA>.

Until Next Time,

Michael

all concent (c) 2025 Michael John Neill
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Michael John Neill
Genealogy Tip of the Day
http://www.genealogytipoftheday.com
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