Why has a large part of my family tree suddenly just disappeared?

CJames90

I had presumed that the ancestors whose information was displayed when I clicked on the next link was credible when for months I was able to show the information to various members of my family. Information that took my tree back more than a thousand years has now vanished at about four generations back. Was this information never credible? Thank you.

Brett .

@CJames90

FYI

Welcome to the "Community.FamilySearch" Forum.

I am just another 'lowly' User/Patron ...

Your 'Questions':

(1) Why has a large part of my family tree suddenly just disappeared?

(2) Was this information never credible?

Short Answers:

(1) Because, ANOTHER User/Patron "Changed" something, that impacted upon your "Ancestral" Lines.

(2) The "Information" MAY, in fact, have been "Creditable"; but, then, again, it MAY not.

As an aside ...

Please be aware, that ANY "Registered" User/Patron of 'FamilySearch', can "Change" ANY "Deceased" individual/person in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch' (including one's IMMEDIATE Family members).

Here an old 'standby' of mine, that I have previously proffered on occasion ...

------------------

Most new (and, some old) Users/Patrons DO NOT understand the basic 'nature' and 'premise' of "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch', when they join in.

Please let me explain ...

We do not have our OWN "Tree" in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.

We ONLY have "Branches" (ie. Ancestral" lines), that are interconnected, in this SINGLE "One" World "Tree", for all of us, that is "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.

"Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch' is NOT like 'On-Line' "Websites" (eg. "Ancestry_com"; or "MyHeritage_com"; or, the like); and/or, 'standalone' personal (computer) programmes (eg, the OLD, now no longer supported, "PAF"; or, "Ancestral Quest"; or, the like).

We DO NOT have "Private"/"Personal" 'Trees' in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch' like other 'On-Line' "Websites"; and/or, 'standalone' personal (computer) programmes.

We do not even, own; or, manage; and, are NOT even responsible for, the "Deceased" individuals/persons in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.

And, most importantly ...

We DO NOT even, own; or, manage; and, are NOT even responsible for, Our OWN "Deceased" Ancestors/Family/Relatives in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.

"Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch' is built on a "Open Edit" Platform - hence, why any registered User/Patron can "Edit" (ie. Add, Delete; and/or, Change) ANY "Deceased" individual/person in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'. 

------------------

Now ...

That Said ...

As to your particular situation ...

Go to the the LAST Ancestor(s) that you can 'see' in your "Ancestral" Lines.

For those CURRENT "End of Line" Ancestors, go to the "ChangeLog" for each of them.

The "ChangeLog" for individuals/persons, is found on their "Person/Details" page/screen, on the 'right-hand-side' of the page/screen, the THIRD Section 'Down', headed "Latest Changes"; and, at the 'Bottom' of that Section; being "Show All". Select that "Show All". That is an individuals/persons "ChangeLog"; or, better still, a "History" of "Changes", by Users/Patrons, for that individual/person.

There you are 'looking' for particular "Changes" such as ...

▬ "Merges"/"Combines"; and/or,

▬ "Detachments" from Families (eg. "Couple" Relationships; and/or, "Parent-Child" Relationships)

That is where you will find that ENTIRES "Branches" of your "Ancestral" Lines have been 'Pruned".

In many cases is is possible to address/fix the 'wayward' changes.

Here is a "Knowledge Article" in 'FamilySearch'

How do I see what changes were made about a person in Family Tree?

https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/how-do-i-see-what-changes-have-been-made-about-a-person-in-family-tree

https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/how-do-i-see-what-changes-have-been-made-about-a-person-in-family-tree

Take a look ...

Come back here to this post of yours if you need any help/assistance.

[ Especially, with trying to address/fix any problems/issues that you find. ]

I hope that this helps, somewhat.

Brett

886EZLContact ID

Dear @CJames90,

Your question is one that we often see at FamilySearch Support. When you realized that the Family Tree at FamilySearch is one big shared tree and not your own personal data base, you realize that other people can be making changes to ancestors and relationships all the time. Someone may have removed some parents that were not correct in the first place, or they may have changed a relationship that would remove extending branches of the part of the tree with your ancestors.

If this bothers you, we suggest that you keep your own personal genealogical information in your own private database and use FamilyTree as a collaboration tool.

You can go to the very bottom of most FamilySearch pages and click on "Solutions Gallery." You can use the filters to find free and inexpensive software products that can be used in conjunction with FamilySearch. These will give you a place to store your own personal family tree that cannot be changed by other people.

If you would like to learn more about how to restore what was there before, please provide the name and ID number for the person who has had a change in parents or other relationships. We can help you restore the information that was there (if it is correct) if you know where the change was made.

Best wishes! Here are some articles that may be of help...

https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/what-is-the-purpose-of-familysearch-and-family-tree

https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/can-i-follow-an-individual-in-family-tree

https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/how-do-i-undo-an-incorrect-change-in-family-tree