As genealogists, we often think of progress as coming from big discoveries — a long-lost record, a DNA match, or an unexpected photograph. But sometimes, it’s the smallest clues that open the biggest doors. One overlooked feature that can spark these discoveries is the humble comment section on online trees.
While many of us focus on adding sources and attaching records, the ability to leave or read comments on profiles (especially on collaborative platforms like FamilySearch) can lead to new evidence, overlooked resources, and even entirely new research paths.
In this post, I’ll share how one comment on FamilySearch didn’t just clarify a relationship — it led me to family genealogies, church histories, and the fascinating story of a major religious revival in early Kentucky.
Do you use the comment feature on your Ancestry tree? Have you ever added a note or started a discussion on the FamilySearch tree?
I’ll admit, I often forget to add comments on my own Ancestry tree. However, I do regularly use the discussion and note features on FamilySearch.
I find these comments especially helpful when I’m working on collateral lines—those extended family members who aren’t my direct ancestors. Rather than making changes outright, I prefer to raise questions or share evidence through comments, inviting collaboration and discussion.
For example, I recently came across two profiles for an Elnora Flanigan on FamilySearch that appeared to represent the same person:
- Elnora Flanigan – GP3V-39M
- Elnora Flanigan – L8QL-JDJ
Since Elnora isn’t a direct ancestor, I chose to leave a comment on one of her profiles rather than merge the records myself.
Because I make a habit of leaving comments, I also make a point to read them. While researching Moses Dooley, Sr.—a member of my Crawford FAN club—I noticed that the FamilySearch tree listed a son, Henry Dooley (b. 1786). However, Henry wasn’t included in Moses Dooley’s biography in A Roster of Revolutionary Ancestors of the Indiana Daughters of the American Revolution.
Curious, I checked Henry’s FamilySearch profile and found a comment questioning his parentage and, crucially, citing a source!
This led me to two genealogies by Mrs. Sarah Dooley Emerick, available through the FamilySearch Digital Library.
Browsing these books, I discovered references to the New Light Church, which sparked a new line of research. A quick Google search for:
+Dooley +”new light church” +Kentucky +history
brought me to a biography of Moses’ son Reuben, which also included insights into Moses’ life and photographs of family tombstones.
From there, I followed threads on the church history in Kentucky, exploring connections to the Restoration Movement and the famous Cane Ridge Revival. These searches opened the door to a wealth of sources:
- Wikipedia – Restoration Movement
- New Georgia Enclyopedia – Restoration Movement
- Wikipedia – Cane Ridge Revival
- Disciples Wiki – Cane Ridge Revival
- Kentucky Revival: Selected Core Documents
- Revival Library – 1801 Cane Ridge Revival
While browsing these resources, I began to wonder if any of my own ancestors had attended the revival. My James Crawford lived near the Dooley family in Madison and Barren counties, Kentucky, before both families migrated to Preble County, Ohio. It’s entirely possible he was there.
My ancestor Hiram M. Currey was a Baptist pastor in the 1790s, although it seems the Baptists may have attended their own meeting at the Elkhorn Baptist Association nearby.
Another possible connection: Richard Foster’s brother, Rev. John Foster, a Methodist minister living in Ross County, Ohio—could he have traveled to Cane Ridge?
Even Alexander Crawford (who married Mary McPheeters and isn’t my direct ancestor) piqued my interest. His son, Rev. James Crawford, served as a Presbyterian minister at Walnut Hill Church near Lexington, Kentucky. Given his proximity, he likely attended the revival.
Ultimately, one simple comment not only helped clarify that Henry Dooley should be removed from Moses Dooley Sr.’s family, but also led me to detailed Dooley genealogies and an entire web of resources on Kentucky church history.
What started as a simple comment on a FamilySearch profile turned into a rich journey through genealogies, church histories, and Kentucky revivals — all sparked by one small question. This experience reminded me of the value of pausing to read (and leave) comments, even on collateral lines or profiles we don’t manage directly.
By engaging with these discussions, we not only help clarify family trees for others but also uncover new records, connect with unexpected sources, and deepen our understanding of the historical context surrounding our ancestors.
Next time you come across a comment or feel the urge to leave one, don’t hesitate — you never know where that thread might lead.