Genealogy is a collaborative pursuit. Families do not all gather in the same place online, and no single platform holds all the answers. MyCousins works across multiple genealogy platforms for one simple reason: we want to meet relatives where they already are.
Each major genealogy platform offers something different. Some excel at historical records, others at DNA matching, and some specialize in collaborative or global family trees. By working across platforms, MyCousins increases the chances of discovery, connection, and verification.
What Each Platform Contributes
Ancestry.com
Ancestry.com serves as the primary research platform for MyCousins. It excels at United States census records, historical documents, and automated research hints that surface new leads quickly. It is often the starting point for building and validating family structures.
MyHeritage
MyHeritage is especially valuable for DNA matching and European connections. While its subscription model can be limiting, it remains an important bridge to international cousins and extended family lines.
FamilySearch
FamilySearch is home to the world’s largest shared family tree. It plays a critical role in accessing international records and collaborating with researchers across generations and continents.
WikiTree
WikiTree is a community-driven platform focused on sourcing, accuracy, and collaboration. While not the primary workspace for MyCousins, it attracts dedicated genealogists who often contribute valuable insights and corrections.
Our Research Footprint
Rather than concentrating research in a single location, MyCousins maintains a distributed footprint. This approach allows facts to be cross-checked, conflicts to be resolved, and research to remain resilient even if platforms change.
Across platforms and offline archives, MyCousins manages thousands of individuals, historical records, photographs, source citations, and DNA matches. A comprehensive local archive is also maintained to preserve research independently of any single service.
Our Volunteer Genealogists
MyCousins is not a solo effort. It is sustained by a small group of dedicated volunteer genealogists, each focused on specific surnames or family branches. Together, they manage research across platforms, share findings, and help solve complex genealogical puzzles.
This collaborative model allows deeper focus while maintaining a shared commitment to accuracy, documentation, and transparency.
Staying Connected
If you believe you are connected to one of the families documented on MyCousins—or if you are seeking guidance on where to begin—thoughtful outreach is always welcome.
Contact:
Dr. John P. Elcik, IV — john@mycousins.org
Elizabeth Purinton Gamache — beth@mycousins.org
Genealogy works best when it is shared.