Post 1 - Ancestry Rant

Welcome Gilmore Family!

Over the last 20 years or so, I've collected lots of information about my Gilmore family.  And, I've been reluctant to share it because I've spent lots of money and time researching my family.  The time I've spent has made me feel so close to (and protective of) my ancestors and their stories. 


But, recently I decided to let go and share what I've gathered, so that the accurate information about my Gilmore family is online, for all to see and share.  (In other words, I hope that, as a result of my sharing accurate information with you, then the enormous amount of wrong information on my Gilmore family will be stamped out!)


Please feel free to share this information with your family members..... BUT, please make sure that you share it accurately.  Please do not publish it in a book, because that would be violation of copyright, since it's already published by me.  The FBI frowns on stealing copyrighted books.  😃


In 2006, I published a book on my Gilmore family, but it is not available anymore.  Only a few family members have a copy.  There's no way you can get ahold of it, unless you are part of one of those families.  So, I'm in the process of editing and updating the book and will be publishing the new edition in November 2019.


Over the last several years, I've noticed that there's LOTS of wrong information online about my Gilmore ancestors..... particularly on Ancestry and Ancestry family trees.  So, I caution you to be very skeptical when you find something on Ancestry.  Make sure that the information you find is verified (documented) by legitimate sources, such as birth, marriage, or death certificates, church records, newspaper articles (or obits), old city directories, Census records, property records, or courthouse records.


Ancestry does not check to make sure that what's posted on family trees is accurate.  Ancestry also does not check to make sure that the "hints," indexes, transcriptions, and sources they show you are correct.  It's up to you to verify that those things are correct!  Look for additional sources to make sure what you say is correct.


My next blog post will explain some ways to improve your genealogy skills, and give some tips on how to make sure that what you say about your ancestors is accurate..... and not a fairy tale!


If you are part of my Gilmore family, you are invited to join our FaceBook group, "Tracing My Gilmore Roots."




Sandy Gilmore
Gilmore Family Genealogist