In recent months I have been thinking seriously about future-proofing my research. What will happen to my family history when I am gone?
Although my family has promised to maintain my website after my demise, I recognize that life may be busy and circumstances may change. Good intentions do not always translate into sustained commitment. As family historians, we know how fragile records can be. We have heard of letters lost, photographs discarded and research notes tossed. Descendants or beneficiaries who do not yet value our treasures may consign them to a skip.
I do not want the stories of my kith and kin to disappear. It is my responsibility to preserve this family history.
WHY WIKITREE?
I have decided that my ancestors, forebears, and some FANs will have a home on WikiTree. I chose this platform after carefully considering online options like Ancestry, Familysearch, FindMyPast and MyHeritage. I am concerned about the accuracy of trees on these sites and doubt that my descendants will continue to pay the hefty subscriptions for continued access to the commercial sites. My work on WikiTree is part of my gift for the future.
WikiTree is a global family tree established in 2008 by Chris Whitten. It was developed as a free, collaborative, open family tree platform with one profile per person. That principle — one profile for each individual — lies at the heart of its power.
The site currently reports more than a million members and over forty million ancestors and cousins on the tree, millions of whom have DNA connections. What matters most is the collaborative philosophy behind WikiTree.
WikiTree provides free Anytime, Anywhere Access to those with an internet connection. It can be accessed via a range of devices using most browsers.
With WikiTree I can Strengthen, Safeguard and Sustain my research for future generations.
STRENGTHEN: Improving My Research Now
One of the greatest benefits of adding my research to WikiTree is that it strengthens my work immediately.
- Collaborative corrections improve accuracy.
- Shared profiles reduce duplication.
- Brick walls can be broken through cousin connections.
- The global tree provides broader context.
- Strict sourcing standards encourage research discipline.
I believe that “Done is better than nothing.” A well-sourced basic profile today can be expanded tomorrow — by me or by someone else.
Family History Research can be a lonely activity, The sense of community among WikiTree members is supplemented by several avenues of communication that foster conversation and provide guidance. In regular “thons” and challenges, researchers work on improving profiles already in the database. I am a proud member of the Super Aussie Genies Team that participates in these events.
There is definitely a steep learning curve with WikiTree. The interface is initially challenging and remains so for a while. There are, however, comprehensive help pages, videos, and supportive community members willing to assist. One can often get a quick answer by asking Google. Around the clock help is at your fingertips.
Persistence with the platform will pay off.
SAFEGUARD: Protecting My Research from Loss
Placing my research on WikiTree provides multiple layers of protection. These are more efficient than what I can manage and afford as a sole researcher
- Protection against computer failure.
- Protection against researcher death.
- Not locked in subscription software.
- Public accessibility with privacy controls.
- A living backup, not merely a static file.
Privacy is an important element of each WikiTree profile. Living persons’ profiles are private unless the Profile Manager, who takes responsibility for a profile, assigns a less stringent access level. Most profiles of deceased persons are generally open for public viewing and editing if they died over 100 years ago or were born over 150 years ago.
Members who wish to participate at a higher level in WikiTree agree to an Honor Code that outlines the site’s code of ethics and principles.
WikiTree, a non-profit organization, generates enough revenue from advertising to fund its operations now and into the future. It is supported mostly by an army of enthusiastic volunteers with just a small number of part-time contractors.
SUSTAIN: Ensuring My Genealogy Outlives Me
Genealogy is not just about names and dates. It is about stories. WikiTree allows unlimited space so that stories, images and DNA information can sit alongside facts. Links to external resources can be included. There is ample space for personal expression when sharing people’s stories.
Categories help organise profiles by place, occupation, military service, and more.
As a permanent, growing tree, WikiTree ensures that family histories can outlive the researcher. When the time is right for them future family historians or curious descendants can access and build upon the foundation already laid.
MY WIKITREE JOURNEY
My journey is just beginning. I joined WikiTree in 2017 and dabbled for several years. During that time I watched the WikiTree Community grow and become a respected and stable platform in the genealogy community.
In early 2025, inspired by the work of Australian genealogists Veronica Williams and Anne Young, I embraced WikiTree as a home for my Kith and Kin.
I have ensured that my direct ancestors — and those of my husband back 5 generations — have WikiTree profiles. There is still much work to refine and expand the profiles, but at least they exist. It was pleasing to find that many of my Connections already had a home on WikiTree. I have been able to enhance these profiles and connect them to my family lines and the larger WikiTree.
I am now working on ancestors and their descendants. WikiTree had enabled me to connect some of my mystery DNA connections into my family. WikiTree is now their collaborative home. I don’t believe in ”putting my eggs in one basket” so, while I am able, I will maintain my master database on my own device using RootsMagic. WikiTree serves as a collaborative safeguard that will live on after me.
BEYOND PERSONAL LINES
WikiTree hosts collaborative projects for One Name Studies (ONS) and One Place Studies (OPS) to gather, organize, and research specific surnames or places. These projects utilize Free-Space Pages, categories, and stickers to connect related profiles, aiming to map genealogical data across global, regional, or local contexts.
For my Carey Bay One-Place study, WikiTree provides an ideal platform to house profiles of people who lived, worked, and played in that community. By categorising them appropriately, I am connecting local history to global networks and ensuring those individuals are not forgotten.
To date WikiTree hosts pages for seven Genealogy/Family History Groups in Australia. The page for the Society of Australian Genealogists is a vehicle for information and promotion of that Group.
It doesn’t stop there. I can use WikiTree School Categories to chase down people from my schooldays, Places Categories to see who else came from my parents’ hometowns, or Military Categories to find out who else served with Dad in the Second World War. The possibilities are limitless.
The Categories on my WikiTree Profile will inform my descendants of the activities and places that were important to me.
PLEASE CONSIDER WIKITREE
Strengthen your work – Safeguard your effort – Sustain your legacy.
Genealogy is a perpetual work in progress. By placing my ancestors on WikiTree, I am contributing one layer to a much larger tapestry — a shared and enduring legacy for generations to come.
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