+ Visit Cardiff FC for Latest News, Transfer Gossip, Fixtures and Match Results |
One word of warning. Don't just accept the "potential mothers" or "potential fathers".
I went back to my 4th great grandfather. It offered me my 5th which I accepted, but couldn't find a source other than 10 "ancestry trees" (i.e. trees filled in by amateurs, like me). So, lots of hints are offered, but no real evidence.
I did this on one line and ended back with Edward the Heretic Wightman - the last man burnt at the stake in England for heresy.
The link, in my case, was to a Nicholas Wightman - but when I researched Edward the Heretic on some history sites, he didn't even have a son called Nicholas.
I messaged 3 people asking how they managed to get the link, and each one was quite annoyed that I dare challenge their methods.
But, to go back 6-7 generations has been good. I am fairly confident (through censuses) that what I have is correct. People weren't very imaginative with names back then though so it does take a fair bit of critical analysis.
I found it a bit strange that lots of people were able to trace back to the 1500s, and one chap (same tree as me) went back to 950 - but did he have any sources? Nope.
Once the censuses dry up, it gets tricky. On my part, I have to research the Weetmans of Baddesley Clinton to try to get a link from my 4th great grandfather to my 5th. If I get that link, I can probably go back another 3-4 generations until I hit the bloke burnt at the stake for heresy.
However, my father's grandfather and mother's grandmother sides are just going nowhere.
It is worth doing it, but I will most likely stop in a few weeks because it will not be possible to go back further using the site - I may then try other sources, or just leave it there.
It can become very addictive if you let it. I'm up to 2500 relatives spread across 4 continents. Each branch of the tree fizzles out around 1400 / 1500.
It has allowed me to put my wife in touch with her fathers family who she has never known & set up a Belfast reunion.
My word of warning do not believe or just copy & paste other peoples trees, 90% are wrong, mainly due to Americans grabbing any heritage they can. Do the work yourself and be patient