One of the things you don’t think about when you volunteer
time with FamilySearch and Billiongraves (via FamilySearch Tree Connect), is
that the families on the receiving end have no idea that you are a
volunteer.
I began my volunteer work with Billiongraves (BG) back in
December 2013, and in 2014 I started volunteering to connect
Billiongraves images with the FamilySearch Tree Connect records suggested to
match the BG images. As my volunteer
hours increased, so did the number of sources I matched with FamilySearch
records. In my mind I thought, “How
great is this? People researching their families will now have a source linked
to their file that may lead them to further information regarding their
ancestors.” What didn’t dawn on me was
that the people seeing the sources added would assume that I am their relative.
For the most part, the emails I have received have been
rather friendly and appreciative. Each
email has inquired as to my connection to the family and if I have any more
documented information – or better yet, photographs. I have had to reply with a standard email I
put together given below:
Good morning. I am thinking that the reason you reached out
to me was in regard to a Billiongraves source attached to a FamilySearch file
connected with your family line. I am a
volunteer with both Billiongraves and FamilySearch. The FamilyConnect link with both sites allows
for images from Billiongraves to be attached to files already in existence on
FamilySearch. Thousands of volunteers
daily connect these source images with matching records. Unfortunately, I am not related to the ___ family,
but hope that the source attached to your tree was something your family was
able to use. Good luck in your family
research efforts!
So far, the response to my email has been positive:
You are right that is why I reached
out to you! Bless your heart for replying AND for your service. I love the new
“record hints” on Family Search and I have attached sources to people who are
not my line either, so I understand! Thank
you for responding!
I’m not certain if in the future FamilySearch will change their
matching policy to merely indicate that the source was connected via
FamilySearch and not show the name of the volunteer. For now, I will continue to respond to these inquiries,
as well as address what the FamilySearch Tree Connect feature is to those who
attend my Family History Workshops and other Family History groups to which I
belong.
The partnership that BillionGraves and FamilySearch has made
is a boon to many researchers, and I am excited to one day see that someone has
attached a source previously unknown to me on my own tree!
To learn more about BillionGraves and FamilySearch, check
out their sites at www.BillionGraves.com
and www.FamilySearch.org.
