Answers to the Questions Every Genealogist Asks — and the Ones They’re Afraid To
Genealogy raises more questions than most people admit. Some are technical. Some are emotional. Some are whispered quietly at 2:00 a.m. while staring at a census record that makes no sense.
This page exists to answer the questions genealogists ask most often—and the ones they hesitate to ask at all.
The Cat offers clarity, boundaries, and the occasional blunt truth. AI offers structure, pattern recognition, and research guidance. You bring curiosity, memory, and care.
New to genealogy? We created a short, beginner-friendly guide to help you start without feeling overwhelmed. The Cat Without a Hat is free to read and designed to explain the basics calmly, one step at a time. [Read the free beginner guide]
🐱 The Cat’s Opening Remark
Most genealogists ask the same dozen questions. A few ask brilliant questions. Many ask panicked questions. Some ask questions so vague that AI must summon its inner clairvoyant.
And then there are the questions The Cat hears most often—the ones you should ask but may hesitate to.
❓ Where do I start?
Start with you.
- Your birth
- Your parents
- Your grandparents
- What you know
- What you assume
- What you’ve heard
The Cat reminds you: “Start at the root, or the branches will confuse you.”
❓ Why does every website show a different ancestor?
- People copy each other
- Trees include guesses
- Records are misread
- Names repeat
- Assumptions spread like fleas
AI separates fact from fiction. The Cat destroys unsourced nonsense.
❓ What if I can’t find any records?
AI suggests alternate records, geographic strategies, FAN club research, courthouse substitutes, spelling variants, and boundary changes.
The Cat says: “There are records. You haven’t found them yet.”
❓ Why are ages different in every census?
Because people forgot, lied, guessed, misheard, disliked math, or weren’t home.
Ages are clues, not truths.
❓ How do I know if two people with the same name are the same person?
AI compares timelines, locations, occupations, relationships, and probabilities.
The Cat says: “Names repeat. Lives do not.”
❓ What do I do when records contradict each other?
Celebrate. Contradictions are signposts.
The Cat says: “Truth emerges in the space between disagreements.”
❓ What if a family story has no evidence?
It may be a distorted truth, partial truth, symbolic truth, or a beautiful lie.
The Cat says: “Stories contain meaning even when they lack facts.”
❓ Do I really need citations?
If you want credibility, clarity, repeatable research, collaboration, and accuracy—yes.
The Cat will shame you until you cite properly.
❓ What if the truth is painful?
Handle with compassion.
The Cat reminds you: “The past does not require your approval—only your understanding.”
🐱 Cat Summary
You are asking better questions now.
The Cat’s final word: “Ask boldly. Seek carefully. Reveal gently.”
When you need a reminder to breathe, laugh, and continue →