Where Should I Contribute My Genealogical Data?

by Gerhard Ruf, gruf@xmission.com

© copyright 2001-2005
updated 26 June 2005

Overview

    Deciding if and where to contribute your valuable family history data can be challenging. We will look at different databases which invite you to contribute your data and look at how they handle that information and how likely it will be that others will find your information. Criteria for determining which ones to choose will be discussed. It is assumed that the participants know how to create a GEDCOM file.
 

1. Why contribute your family history data?
   1. Publish it for others to see.
   2. Allow others with common ancestry to find you, instead of your doing all the searching.
   3. Safe backup of your data, if its fully retrievable to you.
   
    
2. Which are the most prominent databases?
    

   Ancestry Archive Index at Kindred Konnections

   http://www.kindredkonnections.com/ancestry.html
   Only the index can be viewed and searched for free. The My Trees feature matches the names you submitted against all other names in their databases, for a fee.
    

   AncestralFile at FamilySearch

   http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/frameset_search.asp
   Started with 4 generation program submissions in the 1960s.
   All contributions merged into one great tree.
   Can no longer be added to or modified.
    

   Ancestry World Tree at Ancestry (merged with World Connect listed below)

   http://ancestry.com/trees/awt/main.htm
   The largest user-contributed genealogical database on the Internet
    

   GenServ by Cliff Manis

   http://www.genserv.com/
   Matches your data against all others in its database, for a fee.
   Will not accept data from AncestralFile.
    

   Global Tree at GenCircles

   http://www.gencircles.com/
   Smart Matching provides a report of matches between the indivuals you added and other contributed names. Register for free for this added service.
    

   One Great Family

   http://onegreatfamily.com/
   See potential matches and conflicts of your data with that contributed by others.
   A fee is required to see the data of others.
   Provides online editing of your own data.
    

   Pedigree Resource File at FamilySearch

   http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/frameset_search.asp?PAGE=prf/search_PRF.asp
   User contributed information with sources and notes, if included in submission.
   Search the index for free.
    

   World Connect Project at RootsWeb (merged with Ancestry World Tree listed above)

   http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/
   Merged with Ancestry World Tree in Oct 2001
   Contributor has control of downloadability by others.
    

   World Family Tree at Genealogy.com

   http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/wfttop.html?Welcome=1029055493
   Full information only available for a fee.

   
    
3. As you view each of the above collections look for answers to the following questions
   1. Will they allow me to change, edit, modify, replace my data as it changes?
   2. Will they allow me to remove or delete my information?
   3. Will they publish it on CDs?
   4. Will they charge a fee for others to access my data?
   5. Will they allow me to retain copyright so I can publish it myself?
   6. Can I retrieve the information (GEDCOM file) that I submitted?
   7. Can others easily retrieve all or parts of what I submitted?
   8. Can I update my contact information?
   9. Are my notes and sources displayed?
   10. Will they remove designated information on living individuals for you?
   
    
4. Eliminating data on living individuals
   1. Get written permission to include living individuals identifying information or leave it out.
   2. Use programs to remove the unwanted information.
      • Most GEDCOM generating genealogy programs allow you to remove living information in the process.
      • GEDClean will remove it from an existing GEDCOM file.
   3. You may want to leave in the names and their family links - be careful. Some financial institutions still required maiden name of mother.
   
    
5. After you have submitted your information
   1. Keep a list of where, when and what file you submitted.
   2. Also note the filenames, account names, and passwords for each submission in a safe place.
   3. Update the site if your email, snail mail, web site or other contact information changes.
   
    
6. Some precautions for when you search
   1. Remember that undocumented information is only hearsay.
   2. Even documented information needs to be verified to evaluate its thoroughness.
   
    
7. Examples of uploading to some of these databases.
   Using WorldConnect as an example
   Using Pedigree Resource File as an example

If you have questions or comments please contact me at gruf@xmission.com

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