A Genealogically Correct FamilySearch Family Tree – Robert Raymond

SESSION: NGS2104-SP-10

SPONSORED BY: FamilySearch

Robert Raymond

FamilySearch Family Tree is a different paradigm in family trees. Family Tree is a single, shared tree database to which all may contribute. Each member of the human family will be represented only once rather than duplicated many times across many personal trees.

Family Tree is scary. Rather than post “your genealogy” for sharing, you post your current best picture of your ancestry, open for anyone to critique—even change. And change, they will, not always for the better. This is disconcerting! You must participate in Family Tree with the spirit of sharing—not just your genealogy, but your time and expertise.

Robert’s Raymond line has a widely accepted but erroneous father-son connection. As each of a dozen cousins reverted the true line to the erroneous one, he patiently engaged with each one, teaching good techniques for evidence analysis and critical thinking. As he came to understand their thinking, Robert added helpful sources, notes, discussions, and proof arguments to the appropriate ancestor.

The reversions slowed over time until something amazing happened. One day, Robert saw the error reintroduced and prepared to engage a new student. But, before Robert could act, another cousin jumped in, fixed it, and began himself to mentor the newly discovered cousin.

In this session, Robert will demonstrate techniques with an eye towards the genealogical proof standard that you can use in Family Tree to convince others that your conclusions are sound.

This is an important endeavor. The tree of all humankind is of inestimable value. It is worthy of participation from all of us. Robert hopes to “see” you in his session.

To learn more about FamilySearch, visit FamilySearch.org. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and the FamilySearch Blog. 

BIO: Robert is a FamilySearch deputy CGO, assisting David Rencher in guiding genealogical soundness of FamilySearch.org. He is a former director of the National Genealogical Society. Robert is a genealogical technologist with 40 years of experience in technology and genealogy.

The Virtual NGS 2021 On-Demand! Viewing Starts 15 June

This lecture series is available to view from home on your computer or mobile device and offers you the opportunity to develop exceptional genealogy skills with a highly comprehensive set of on-demand webinars from NGS’s expert conference speakers. On-Demand! packages of audio-visual lectures are now available for purchase.

Select from the 20 or 40 On-Demand! lecture packages with over 85 sessions to choose from. Watch starting 15 June 2021 through 31 December 2021. Both packages come with access to two full days of NGS 2021 Live! from 19-20 May 2021, the virtual conference syllabus, and sponsored bonus sessions. Plus, view the sessions from NGS 2021 Live! and any sessions you did not choose from the breakouts (nine more) beginning 15 June. All sessions will be closed captioned.

To learn more about the NGS 2021 Virtual Family History Conference’s week-long events, 17-21 May, visit the conference and download a copy of the program brochure.