Top 10 Genealogy Mistakes to Avoid

Most families have stories and traditions which are handed down from generation to generation. These family legends can provide many clues to further your genealogy research, but you need to approach them with an open mind. Just because your Great-Grandma Mildred says that it happened that way, don't make it so! Stories about famous ancestors, war heroes, surname changes, and the family's nationality all probably have their roots in fact. Your job is to sort out these facts from the fiction which has likely grown as embellishments were added to stories over time. Approach family legends and traditions with an open mind, but be sure to carefully investigate the facts for yourself. If you are unable to prove or disprove a family legend you can still include it in a family history. Just be sure to explain what’s true and what’s false, and what’s proven and what's unproven - and write down how you arrived at your conclusions.