Community guidelines
How we research and talk together: careful evidence, respectful collaboration and a shared care for Welsh heritage.
Four things we ask of everyone
Evidence first
Support every claim with sources others can check.
Respectful discussion
Engage constructively with fellow researchers and experts.
Welsh focus
Keep to Welsh genealogy and heritage.
Share what you know
Share knowledge so the whole community's research moves forward.
Research standards
Welsh genealogy needs specialist knowledge of history, naming patterns and sources. We keep high standards while welcoming researchers at every level.
Evidence-based claims
All genealogical claims must be backed by evidence others can check. Label speculation clearly and keep it separate from documented fact.
Evidence we expect
- Primary sources (original documents, contemporary chronicles)
- Secondary sources (scholarly analysis, published genealogies)
- Archaeological evidence (when relevant)
- Linguistic analysis (for name variations and origins)
Proper citations
Give full citations for every source you use, so others can check it and find the same material.
Citation standards
- Manuscript references with folio/page numbers
- Published works with author, title, year, publisher
- Archive locations and reference numbers
- Digital resource URLs and access dates
Weighing up a source
Think critically about how reliable a source is: when it was written, the author's bias, how it was passed down, and whether anything else backs it up.
Questions to ask
- Contemporary or later source?
- Is there independent corroboration?
- Did the author have access to the information?
- Any political or personal motives?
Welsh context
Understand the Welsh historical, cultural and language context. Naming patterns, inheritance law and social structure differed from English practice.
Important contexts
- Patronymic naming traditions
- Tribal and territorial organisation
- Welsh law vs. English law
- Language change and spelling
How we treat each other
Family history often means disagreement and debate. We welcome healthy discussion, as long as everyone is treated with respect.
Do this
- Focus criticism on evidence and arguments, not people
- Acknowledge when others provide helpful information
- Ask clarifying questions when you don't understand
- Share your expertise generously with newcomers
- Admit when you're uncertain or may be wrong
- Explain specialist terms
- Thank contributors for their time and effort
Avoid this
- Personal attacks or questioning someone's competence
- Dismissing ideas without explaining why
- Making claims without providing evidence
- Dominating discussions or repeatedly posting
- Going off-topic or discussing non-Welsh genealogy
- Sharing unverified rumours or speculation as fact
- Criticising someone's English or Welsh language skills
Handling genealogical disputes
Disagreements are common, and useful when handled well. Focus on the evidence, ask for expert input and work towards agreement.
- Present your case State your position with supporting evidence. Explain your reasoning and admit any weak points.
- Listen to others Consider other readings carefully. Ask questions to understand them before you reply.
- Ask an expert Invite verified experts into difficult disputes. Their knowledge often settles the question.
- Build agreement Aim for community agreement rather than trying to win. Sometimes more than one reading is valid.
Privacy and living people
The living person rule
Do not post detailed personal information about anyone born within the last 100 years, or without a confirmed death date.
Not allowed
- Specific birth dates for living people
- Current addresses or contact information
- Details about living family members
- Personal circumstances or private information
What you can share
You may share information about people who have died, and general family connections with suitable context.
Allowed
- Deceased ancestors with full dates
- Historical family connections
- General location information (county level)
- Published genealogical information
If the guidelines are broken
Our moderators keep standards up while supporting good research discussion. We prefer education and collaboration to punishment, but will act when we need to protect members.
Examples: off-topic posts, unsupported claims, minor discourtesy
Response: a friendly reminder and guidance towards good practice
Examples: persistent unsupported claims, disrespectful behaviour, sharing information about living people
Response: formal warning, temporary posting restrictions, required review of the guidelines
Examples: personal attacks, harassment, deliberately false information, privacy violations
Response: temporary suspension; permanent ban for repeat offences
Appealing a decision
If you think a moderation decision was wrong, you can appeal by contacting our community team. Several moderators review every appeal and decide it on the guidelines and past decisions.
For experienced researchers
Explain your method
When you make a complex argument, explain how you worked it out so others can follow.
- Outline your research approach
- Explain how you chose your sources
- Discuss other possible readings
- Acknowledge limits and gaps
When sources disagree
Present all the evidence fairly and explain how you weigh the conflicting pieces.
- Present all relevant sources
- Discuss how reliable each one is
- Explain your reasoning
- Invite the community's view on resolving it
Historical context
Place your findings in their historical setting. Political, social and cultural factors make your genealogy more accurate.
- Political events affecting families
- Social customs and marriage patterns
- Economic reasons for moving
- Religious changes and their impact
Using technology and DNA
When you use digital tools, DNA analysis or database matches, explain your methods and their limits.
- Explain your database search strategy
- Discuss how you interpreted DNA results
- Acknowledge algorithm limitations
- Check digital results against traditional sources
Resources for taking part
Worth reading up on
Welsh history
Knowing the periods of Welsh history makes your research more accurate and helps you read sources correctly.
- Medieval Welsh kingdoms and their politics
- The Acts of Union and their effect on genealogy
- The Industrial Revolution and Welsh families
- Welsh emigration patterns and destinations
Welsh language
A little Welsh helps with name variations, place names and old documents.
- Welsh naming patterns and patronymics
- Common Welsh words in genealogical records
- Place name meanings and how they changed
- Relationship terms in Welsh documents
Community roles
- Read these guidelines thoroughly
- Watch discussions before joining in
- Ask questions when you need clarification
- Start with simpler research questions
- Learn from expert feedback
- Mentor newcomers patiently
- Share your expertise generously
- Model good practice in your posts
- Help resolve complex disputes
- Contribute to the community knowledge base
Why these guidelines exist
They are here so Welsh family history can flourish through collaboration, evidence-based discussion and mutual respect.
- Our goalAdvance Welsh genealogical knowledge through shared research and discussion
- Our standardsEvidence-based research, respectful discussion and sound method
- Our communityA welcome for researchers at every level, united by Welsh heritage
Get help or report a problem
Our community team can help with questions about the guidelines, technical issues or worries about someone's behaviour. We reply to every message within 24–48 hours. For urgent matters involving harassment or privacy, contact us straight away.