“Why I Created Faucher Ancestry”

I started this project not just to trace names and dates, but to reconnect with the stories that built the Faucher family — especially our French Canadian roots. What began as a personal curiosity quickly evolved into a responsibility: to document, preserve, and share the legacy of those who came before us.

How I Got Started in Genealogy

When I first began my genealogy journey, it all started with a simple list — names and dates my mom had written in a journal: grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins. It was a solid foundation, but like many of us, I quickly hit brick walls.

That’s when I took a road trip to Quebec, where I knew my paternal grandparents were buried. What I found there turned into a gold mine of information and unlocked new branches of my tree. From that point on, I was hooked — adding more people, chasing every Ancestry hint, and later diving deep into ThruLines. I went down a lot of rabbit holes, pulling in names and records from every direction.

From Chaos to Clarity

But somewhere along the way, I realized something important: the bigger my tree got, the more chaotic it became. There came a point where I had to draw the line.

So moving forward, I made a decision:

• I’ll still follow all direct grandparents as far back as I can.
• When a blood relative marries, I’ll stop at the spouse’s parents — same with cousins.
• The only exception is when someone marries into a name already common in my tree.

That one shift alone has brought clarity and direction back to my research.

Advice for New (and Experienced) Researchers

Here’s my advice to anyone building a tree — whether you’re brand new or years into the process:

• Don’t copy other people’s trees. Do your own research.
• Don’t trust ThruLines blindly. Treat every hint as a starting point, not a fact.
• Source everything. Even your own family photos — give yourself the credit you deserve.
• Decide on a structure. Keep your tree uniform and organized.
• Learn the standards. YouTube and blogs offer tons of free guidance.
• Use free tools first. Paid sites are great, but not essential when you’re starting out.
• Tap into the community. Genealogists are generous with their knowledge.
• Use AI as a tool. It’s not just for techies — it can transcribe, translate, organize, and even teach.

I named my AI assistant Joey and gave him the role of a professional genealogist. If you’d like help learning how to talk to AI like a research partner, feel free to reach out. I’d be happy to help.

Final Thoughts

Genealogy is a journey — and sometimes, restarting is the wisest step forward.
Keep learning, keep refining, and keep your love for the story alive.

— Richard R. Faucher
Founder, Faucher Ancestry