Build from documented people and relationships
Add each person with the names, dates and places that the available records actually support. Treat parent-child and partner links as research conclusions rather than decorative lines. Attach citations to the exact claims so another researcher can see why a relationship appears on the chart.
Keep contradictions visible until they are resolved
Two sources may report different birth dates, spellings or parents. Preserve both source statements, assess who created them and how close they are to the event, then document a preferred conclusion without deleting the competing evidence. A quality centre and review queue help surface unresolved problems.
Share the right view with the right people
Invite relatives or colleagues with the least access they need and keep living people private. Use a read-only family view for people who only want to explore the history, while editors work in the evidence model. Export regularly so the family tree remains portable beyond one service.