When I rebooted my genealogy research a few years ago and started my family tree from scratch, adding only those people for whom I had verified source information, I focused on my direct-line ancestors. That approach felt less overwhelming, less tedious, and it allowed me to move up my family tree more quickly, which felt rewarding.
In August 2013, I pondered whether I should be adding collateral lines (the siblings of my direct ancestors) and concluded it would be a good idea. I started adding children I found on censuses, properly sourcing them, of course. It did prove to be a bit tedious and it sort of dropped off my radar.
Then I took an Ancestry DNA test and transferred my DNA results to Family Tree DNA. Since then I’ve been contacted by a number of distant cousins. While I’m still trying to figure out how to use the DNA results to further my research, one thing has become very apparent: Having those siblings in my family tree would help me, as well as these cousins, figure out our relationships.
I’d like at the very least to have their name and approximate birth dates, easily obtainable from my ancestors’ census records. More information would be great, and maybe I’ll do more research on these siblings eventually, but right now I’m setting my sights on names and birth dates and states.
So I’m going for it. I’ve moved the goal of adding collateral lines to each family to the top of my list of things to accomplish when I’m focusing on a certain line. I’d added a sheet called Siblings Entered to my progress tracker. (I was glad to see that I’ve already entered the siblings of eleven ancestors; it’s a start.) The clues these collateral lines will give me should make them less tedious to enter. At last, I’m really seeing the value of the effort.
I look forward to having a more robust family tree!
I also include collateral lines in my genealogy database. 🙂
Jana, that doesn’t surprise me a bit, because it’s clearly a smart thing to do and you’re clearly a smart person! Thanks for your comment.
Janine,
I want to let you know that your blog post is listed in today’s Fab Finds post at http://janasgenealogyandfamilyhistory.blogspot.com/2015/01/follow-friday-fab-finds-for-january-16.html
Have a wonderful weekend!
Thank you so much, Jana! I’m honored when you include this blog in your weekly Fab Finds post.
Hi Janine, I have always included the siblings in my research as I have found information on my line through researching the siblings families. I call this going through the back door. This is especially helpful when you make contact with a descendant of that sibling and they have great information and treasures to share.
On a recent holiday I met a cousin for the first time. He is the youngest son of my Father’s youngest brother and it was wonderful to meet new family. But, the most exciting part of the visit was when he showed me some of his family’s old photos he had scanned for doing his family history .
Among them was one he had labled as “Mum and friend, taken when his Mother was younger. When I looked at this photo I was thrilled, because this “friend” was MY Mother. I had never seen this photo before, nor any similar; but the person in the photo was definitely my Mother and my husband confirmed it as well.
I was able to tell my cousin the circumstances of the photo and together we were able to date it as well, being taken on a trip to meet my Fathers family when I was one year old. We were two very happy researchers
Nan, thanks so much for sharing your experience. You’re strengthening my resolve to get to work on the collateral lines. I love hearing how it’s benefited you. What a thrill that must have been to recognize your mother and be able to get a label on that photo!
When I started doing my family I had to include the siblings because it was the only way to know if I had the right family. And like others, I often found the clue I needed from a sibling’s family. I even found grandparents living with siblings which I might not have done if I would have ignored everyone but them. If I would have only studied direct lines the married names of other family members would not have come to light; it would have been impossible to sort the children of 1st, 2nd and 3rd marriages.
Those are all excellent points, Toni! Thanks for commenting.
Janine, I love this blog purely because you talk absolute sense!
I have on a couple of occassions when I have been given information about Death dates, I have struggled to find an individual before that dat I have looked at some of the siblings and even grandchildrne of the individual to find them!
You’re very kind, Marion! Thanks for sharing your experience!