Researching on WikiTree
WikiTree is a free, shared family tree that genealogists around the world build together, with one profile for each person who ever lived. Everything needs sources, and volunteers work together to fix mistakes and merge duplicates.
Getting started
-
Join for free
WikiTree is free and paid for by ads. You can look around as a guest. To add or edit profiles, you sign the WikiTree Honor Code (nine simple rules about working together and citing sources) and become a Wiki Genealogist.
-
Understand the one shared tree
Each person should have just one profile, which everyone improves together. Profiles have IDs made from the surname and a number, like Loes-12. When two profiles turn out to be the same person, they're merged.
-
Find the family
Each surname has its own index page listing every profile with that name, for example wikitree.com/genealogy/Loes. You can also search by first and last name from the top of any page.
-
Add and connect people
Search first so you don't create a duplicate. Then add the person with their dates, places and at least one source. Living people are protected by privacy settings. Only people on a profile's Trusted List see everything.
Have a tree elsewhere? WikiTree can import a GEDCOM file and shows which people already exist.
Good to know
Ask the community
The G2G forum ("genealogist to genealogist") is the place to ask questions, for example for help reading a German or Luxembourgish record.
Sources make it stick
Profiles without sources get flagged. Add the record that proves each fact, such as the FamilySearch or Ancestry record you found it in.
Share a profile link
WikiTree IDs are easy to share. If you find or create a family profile, send it to Jordan so it can be linked from the Family Portal.
