Group led by Janice Moerschel

Welcome and Announcements

We watched the following video done by Connie Knox (on YouTube). Below the link I have highlighted some key points. Click here

Connie Knox "Maximizing Ancestry 3 Secrets the Pros Use (updated Sep 2025)  (about 35 minutes) Some key points:

• don't select all trees when reviewing tree hints • check out the trees with sources

• check the member tree's gallery

• view images

• don't select 'all trees' unless doing a q&d tree, adding a 'floating tree,' or doing descendant research

• open records - check each name to make sure the record is attached to right person

• tell Ancestry why, i.e., give feedback, when you are saving/accepting a record or hint (or not) as it helps the algorithyms

• check your ethnicity estimates to see where your common ancestor may appear in their branch (Connie explains)

• Avoid duplicating people in your tree. (I always check my tree after I've saved a record)

• Compare your info to member trees. If yours is more accurate/better, don't choose their tree info. 

Edit info - if - and as needed.

For our next meeting, we may discuss Networks (a ProTools feature). 

I am open to additional suggestions and volunteers to present a topic.

*** I meant to mention that Ancestry.com is offering tours - some group tours are virtual. I attended one shown in Dublin (Leinster area), Ireland last week. (Other countries are offered.) The tours involving actual travel, well, those would cost the most, of course. Then there is the virtual travel, which can be tailored to suit - this costs more as well - but not as much as traveling there. I did the virtual group tour (on Zoom, at home) for $75. Watch Crista Cowan's video (which is posted at the "Education Center.". https://www.ancestry.com/c/discover/education. Look down through the selections in the Education Center for the video on "Heritage Travel."***

Our next TAG meeting is Thursday, March 12. Topic - possibly the "Networks" feature available with a ProTools subscription. Other ideas or volunteers to present on a topic are welcomed.

Attendance (19): Ruth Anne Halligan, Chris Murphy, Ardis Storms, Virginia Omoto, May Cotton, Juanita McBride, Barbara Gumm, Karen Lehfeldt, Sandi Gaffney, Lynda Keenan, Dianne Bongarts, Cindy Peterson (new to our group), Patricia Robinson, Albert Calderon, Ron Martin, Kelly Taylor, Carol  Hsu, Judy Benson, Janice Moerschel