WikiTree: building one single family tree for the whole world

What is WikiTree?

WikiTree has been working to create a global family tree since 2008. A truly global family tree, with one profile per person who ever lived, within the genealogical timeframe (back to around the time we started using surnames).

WikiTree does this by creating a collaborative community for genealogists who work together on shared ancestors.

It’s a robust community built upon a 9-point honor code and a system to help those who struggle to become better genealogists and at the same time better WikiTreers (a person who is a member of WikiTree).

How to join WikiTree

To join WikiTree just go to WikiTree and click join.

You have the option of being a Guest, Family Member, or Wiki Genealogist. All of these member levels are free and will always be free.

As a Wiki Genealogist, we all sign the WikiTree Honor Code.

Once you are a Wiki Genealogist, start adding limbs to our shared tree.

Need a helping hand?

For step-by-step instructions and videos on how to use WikiTree, click here.

Ancestor anniversaries

WikiTree has many great features and one of these is ancestor anniversaries. 

The Anniversaries option from the “My WikiTree” menu is a super handy way to view all the special dates for your family.  It will list for the current month all the birth, death, and marriage dates for everyone you follow on WikiTree (the collection of profiles on your WatchList – list of profiles you manage). You can switch to a different month.

Also useful on this page, beside each person is a quick link that allows you to share the tree or image to social media.  There are even links to e-Cards at the top of the page, if you wish to use them for 'cousin bait' (encouraging a potential distant cousin to contact you to share research information).

Text extracted from an in-depth article on WikiTree by Mags Gaulden and Greg Clarke, published in the November 2023 issue of Family Tree magazine.