Five Mistakes New Genealogy Researchers Make

I am coming to you as someone who has been there. I was once a beginner researcher and got very excited about doing genealogy. Unfortunately, that excitement cost me about six months of work on a family tree.

Once I realized that things were just not making sense, I stepped back and started researching what professional genealogists suggested and what advice they had to offer. It became clear that I had gotten too excited and needed to go back to the beginning.

So I did.

And it was not pretty. Let's just say things ended with me deleting my tree and starting all over again. Does it have to be that drastic? Not really. But I am the kind of person who believes that sometimes it is easier to start from scratch. I did, and I have never been happier for it.

The following mistakes and lessons learned are ones that I experienced myself and that many colleagues have also warned researchers about over the years.

1. Relying on the Transcription Alone

One of the biggest mistakes new researchers make is relying solely on the transcribed information provided by genealogy websites.

Today, many transcriptions are created by artificial intelligence, while others are completed by volunteers. Both can be incredibly helpful, but mistakes happen. Names are misread, dates are entered incorrectly, and important details are sometimes missed entirely.

Whenever an image of the original document is available, always open it and read it for yourself. You may discover information that was not included in the transcription or notice an error that could send your research in the wrong direction.

The original document should always be your primary source whenever possible.

2. Using Other People's Family Trees as Your Main Source

Online family trees can be wonderful resources, but they should be treated as clues—not evidence.

Unfortunately, many trees contain errors that have been copied from one researcher to another. When one person makes a mistake, it can quickly spread across dozens or even hundreds of trees.

Instead of attaching information directly from another person's tree, use it as a lead. Look at the records they cite, verify the information yourself, and build your own document trail.

Remember: a genealogy tree without supporting records is simply an unsourced opinion.

3. Ignoring Family Stories

Many researchers dismiss family stories because they assume they are not true.

In my experience, I have yet to encounter a family story that did not provide some kind of clue. Does that mean every detail is accurate? Of course not.

The timeline may be off. The story may have been attached to the wrong relative. Names and places may have changed over time. But there is often a small piece of truth hidden within the story.

Always write these stories down. Preserve them. As your research progresses, you may be surprised at how often those stories point you toward records, locations, or relatives you would never have considered otherwise.

Family stories are often the breadcrumbs that lead us to the next discovery.

4. Focusing Only on Your Direct Ancestors

Many beginners focus exclusively on their direct line of descent—their parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and so on.

However, genealogy often requires researching the entire family.

This is especially true in Hispanic genealogy, where records frequently mention grandparents, godparents, witnesses, and other relatives. In some cases, grandparents may even serve as informants on birth, marriage, or death records.

Researching siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandchildren can provide crucial evidence that helps identify the correct family. Sometimes the answer you are looking for is not found in your ancestor's records at all, but in the records of a brother, sister, or child.

The more complete your understanding of the family unit, the stronger your conclusions will be.

5. Not Researching History

Genealogy and history go hand in hand.

Understanding the historical context of your ancestors' lives can help explain why they moved, where records might be located, what occupations they held, and how major events affected their families.

Historical research can also provide important clues when tracing Indigenous, African, Caribbean, Central American, and South American ancestry. Understanding migration patterns, colonial history, slavery, military service, land distribution, and local customs can open doors that traditional record searches alone may not reveal.

History transforms names and dates into real people with real experiences.

It helps us understand not only who our ancestors were, but also the world they lived in.

Final Thoughts

Every genealogist makes mistakes. I certainly did.

The good news is that mistakes are part of the learning process. The key is recognizing them early, correcting them, and continuing to improve your research skills.

If there is one lesson I wish I had learned sooner, it is this: slow down.

Take the time to read every record, verify every fact, and build your conclusions on solid evidence. Your future self—and your family tree—will thank you for it.

About the Author

Irisneri Alicea Flores is a professional genealogist specializing in Caribbean, Central, and South American ancestry research. Her work focuses on uncovering complex colonial records, tracing African and Indigenous lineages, and helping families reclaim histori

es shaped by migration, enslavement, and displacement. Through documentary research and DNA analysis, she supports individuals across the Latin diaspora in reconnecting with their roots and preserving their family stories for future generations.