One might be fueled with a new-found enthusiasm to research their family history. That said, people often make mistakes when doing so. One mistake most people make is assuming that old videotapes of their family, daily life, and milestones will be around forever. But that’s not the case. So begin by digitizing these videos, and then move on to the research part. Other than this, there are a few other mistakes to be aware of.

Mistakes to avoid when researching one’s family history
Here are the top five mistakes to avoid when researching one’s family history:

1. Assuming a surname is spelled a certain way
Typically, the family names may have different spellings. So, merely because the family one knows spells the name in a particular manner does not mean it has always been spelled in such a way. One’s ancestors or people who entered information on their behalf were not infallible. What if the mistakes they made in recording the family name are how one knows it today?

For instance, Callaghan may be spelled Callan, Dillon may be spelled Dillane, and Smyth may be spelled Smith. So, always look for the phonetic variations of the second name. Further, use an asterisk to get more results. For instance, if one looks up John*, one will see results for John, Johnson, Johnny, etc.

2. Using only census records for researching
While census records are the most logical and incredible tool to begin research, they have certain drawbacks. One of the most crucial ones is the census, which is taken once a decade. So, there’s no record of what happened in the nine years in between. Hence, while the census records may be valuable, they are not the only way to research the family tree. So, what can one do? Consider expanding the research . Try including other types of records. One can find various documents for researchers ready to do the extra work.

Ideally, expand the research to court records, wills, immigration records, military records, land records, obituaries, and other vital records.

3. Forgetting one’s existing relatives
Mapping an entire family tree with plenty of unexpected branches may be a fascinating, addictive, or exciting hobby. Every tentative link one may identify via research can nudge one toward charming stories or previously unsuspected or new ancestors.

So, it is vital that one takes their time and sits down with their far-flung and more distant relatives from their extended family. Interview them and consider recording the anecdotes or the stories for this family log. Moreover, given the push and encouragement, most relatives will be eager to cooperate and okay with recording their memories for posterity.

Further, one can also ask distant relatives for any old VHS tapes they may have. While some of these tapes may be corrupted, convert the rest to digital format. Sadly, magnetic tapes are susceptible to dust and mold and have a brief lifespan. So, as one progresses through their research, try converting the tapes and 8 mm films for future reference. It is an easy, inexpensive process and maintains a lifelong record.

4. Using the free family history websites
Not sourcing information is one of the top five mistakes to avoid when researching one’s family history. Remember, doing something is only worth it if it is done right. Thus, accurate citations are vital to ensuring evidence can be judged. It also enables someone else to use one’s research and study it further. This applies when one uses the research drafted by someone else. Never accept anything as a fact if it is not sourced properly. So, what should be done? Properly source where information was taken from. One can find several books on this subject. However, it is recommended to follow a definitive guide on how to cite every conceivable source material a genealogist might employ.

5. Assuming one is related to a famous person
It is human to want to claim descent from a famous relative because we all want somebody famous in the family tree. Individuals’ jumping-off point is usually a drive to dig if they potentially share a history with somebody famous. Many even start with a famous person and then try to find a connection with their family. It is the wrong approach. Always start with oneself and work one’s way up. One may have a famous person in the family tree. But not everyone has royal connections, heroes, or rock stars in their family tree. So, never jump to premature conclusions. Never accept hearsay or a family tale as proof of connection. If there is a famous person in the family tree, it will appear if one diligently researches back through many generations of the family tree.

Starting to research the family tree may be exciting, but it is easy to make mistakes as one is probably new to it. But now that one is aware of the five mistakes to avoid when researching one’s family history, it should be easier to find one’s ancestors and dig out who is related to them without any folly.