Create an accurate family tree by fixing errors

You can create a more accurate family tree if you dedicate time to identifying and fixing errors. This article will help you understand how family history errors occur and help you implement practices to minimise and fix them.

What are family history errors and how do they occur?

An error is an action or information which is inaccurate or incorrect.

There are three main types of family history errors:

• errors that exist in sources and are mistakenly copied into a family tree
• data entry errors that occur as information is entered into a family tree
• errors resulting from mistakes made during the analysis of information, such as assumptions or misinterpretations.

Note: The term ‘sources’ means anything you obtain information from, including other people’s family trees.

Errors in sources

Errors in sources are usually the result of:

• mistakes made by the creator of the source
• errors in a source used by the creator of the source, or
• incorrect information provided by an informant.

It is important to remember that all sources can have errors. However, here are some general rules about the likelihood of errors in a source:

• Original sources may have fewer errors than derivative sources. Derivative sources are created using information from other sources and that increases the chances of errors occurring. However, as mentioned above, even original sources can have errors.
• Contemporary sources may have fewer errors than sources created after the event. This is because sources created closer to an event are more likely to have access to reliable information about that event.
• Official sources may have fewer errors than non-official sources, because they are often created in accordance with legislation or regulations.

Data entry errors

Common causes of data entry errors include:

• a lack of familiarity with the program used to enter data, such as a family history software program or online family tree service
• overlooking or ignoring details
• imprecise copying of details.

Analytical errors

Analytical errors typically occur when:

• no analysis is conducted
• very little analysis is conducted, or
• analysis is conducted but mistakes are made.

Common analytical errors include:

• assuming that information in a source is accurate
• assuming that a person with the same or similar name is the right person
• failing to gather sufficient evidence from the best sources
• accepting a search result without corroborating evidence
• failing to consider alternatives
• accepting information which was offered as a hint without first analysing whether it is correct information. As an example, read the article on Ancestry about the steps you should take to analyse green leaf hints.

Analytical errors can also occur due to misunderstanding, resulting from insufficient knowledge. For example:

• misreading the text of a source, particularly with handwritten sources or poor-quality copies
• difficulties with the language or the meaning of words
• lack of familiarity with the format of information, the type of source, locations or place names.

For more information about these types of mistakes, read my article about Mistakes and Misinterpretation.  

Examples of family history errors

Here are some specific examples of errors to watch out for if you want an accurate family tree.

Incorrect or incomplete information, such as:

• typographical errors or spelling mistakes
• errors in the name or other details, such as birth or death information
• names transposed, or names recorded in the wrong place on a form
• information entered in the wrong place information that is entered in an inconsistent or incomplete manner, such as a date without a year, or inconsistent spelling of a place name
• accidental or deliberate omissions, such as the removal of the names of children

Other common errors include:

• inclusion of the wrong person
• creation of incorrect or inaccurate relationships between people
• duplicate entries or people linked to each other more than once
• a conclusion that is contrary to the available evidence.

Errors can also occur as a result of deficiencies in the research process, such as:

• missing or poorly constructed source citations
• including information in a family tree without citing sufficient reliable sources. The information itself may be accurate, but that accuracy cannot be demonstrated or tested without citing sources.
• attaching a source citation to information which was not obtained from that source. For example, I often see sources cited for the date and location of birth, but the sources only mention the year. In such circumstances, additional sources should be provided for the location.

Avoid family history errors

Improve the accuracy of your family tree and minimise the risk of errors occurring by:

• taking a systematic approach to research and developing your research skills
• conducting a reasonably exhaustive search to find the best sources
• critically analysing information and gathering sufficient evidence to reach reasonable and defensible conclusions
• learning about the types of sources and the way that information is formatted in them (e.g. date formats)
• studying the locations and places your family lived, and learning how the place names should be recorded
• being meticulous in your data entry, verifying the information and proof reading your work.

Identify errors in sources and your family tree

In addition to the strategies listed to avoid errors, to create an accurate family tree you should also:

• be aware of common errors, and information patterns that may indicate errors (see checklist below)
• gather more sources, as that will help to highlight inconsistencies
• examine different versions of the same source
• examine other sources about the same person
• apply the FFANs technique
• re-examine the sources you have already used and compare that information with the information in your family tree
• compare your family tree to trees compiled by other researchers
• analyse whether you have sufficient evidence to support your conclusions.

See my article, Baptised Before Birth and Other Silly Claims.

Fix errors in your family tree

To create an accurate family tree, you need a systematic approach. This will make the task manageable and eliminate more errors.

• Fix errors as you find them, or mark them to be fixed later.
• Schedule regular maintenance and keep a record of where you are up to. Systematically work your way through your family tree, one generation at a time or one grandparent line at a time.
• Conduct regular checks for missing source citations and poorly constructed source citations.
• Use the tools provided by your family history software or online family tree service to check your tree for errors. For example, Legacy Family Tree software has a Potential Problems Report and Ancestry has Tree Checker feature in its Pro Tools.

A research plan can be a useful tool for reviewing your tree and listing remedial tasks.

Conclusion

Creating an accurate family tree requires implementation of good research practices. By understanding the types of errors that occur and being more systematic with your research, you can minimise errors and ensure your family history is as accurate as possible. Regularly reviewing and updating your tree will help maintain its accuracy.

For more tips on managing family trees, see my article: How to Manage Multiple Family Trees to Benefit Your Research.

More information

For more of my articles about analysing sources, go to the Analyse page.

For more of my articles about maintaining your family history, go to the Maintain page.

If you like this article, you will like my book, The Good Genealogist.

Featured image generated using AI apps in Canva, demonstrating the need to watch out for computer generated errors too!