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Duplicate individuals, unable to delete them because living, What do I do?

MichaelChandler1
MichaelChandler1 ✭
October 21, 2021 edited July 18, 2024 in Family Tree

My mother has a duplicate user that I unknowingly created.

I am connected to the duplicate user, not her.

I am able to delete and/or remove the duplicate but every time I attempt to add her account's id as my parent it says

"user not found"

When searching for her by name/date/ect it cannot find her user.

Both the duplicate and my mothers account are marked as living.

We are currently unable to sync changes because I am connected to a duplicate her who is not my mother.

If there is away to get my mothers real account connected to me, I would appreciate it.

Thank you.

Tagged:
  • add living individual
  • unique ID number
0

Answers

  • genthusiast
    genthusiast ✭✭✭✭✭
    October 21, 2021 edited October 21, 2021

    This is normal due to the way FamilySearch Family Tree protects living persons. The duplicate person you created is because you CANNOT attach your mother's living person record to your protected living-space. Your mother's protected living space is private - just as yours is - so you won't be able to add her ID to your 'placeholder' for your mother. You can sync only the deceased persons/relations Details/data. She could share Memories (pictures, stories, documents) by making them public in the Memories area - but this is different than the vital record/documents that are attached as sources. If you deleted the duplicate/'placeholder' for your mother you will need to restore that person (ID) to reattach ancestor pedigrees - so that they are visible to you in the Tree. If you cannot locate that person ID I think it is ok to create a new duplicate/'placeholder' for your mother.

    You can find protected living space documents in the Help Center (question mark with circle in upper right next to your profile/account icon).

    I hope this helps.

    0
  • Brett .
    Brett . ✭✭✭✭✭
    October 21, 2021

    @MichaelChandler1

    Michael

    Welcome to the "Community.FamilySearch" Forum.

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

    I am sorry ...

    Your post, is some what confusing, due to the 'terminology', that you have used.

    For example ...

    You start of with "... mother has a duplicate user that I unknowingly created ... "

    Firstly, those of us that are alive and use, "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch', are Users/Patrons.

    [ ie. We have our 'FamilySearch' Account ... ]

    Secondly, regardless of the aforementioned; even, Users/Patrons, have their OWN unique 'FamilySearch Person Identifier" (PID).

    Now ...

    That Said ...

    In regard to your post ...

    And, just to be clear ...

    Question: Are you referencing, the 'FamilySearch' Account of; or, the PID of, a User/Patron?

    [ ie. they being, You and your Mother, in this case ... ]

    Initially, I was thinking along the same lines; as, 'genthusiast' ...

    But, I just want to be certain.

    [ As, they are different scenarios ... always, overthinking ... ]

    Please advise.

    Brett

    0
  • DebDT
    DebDT ✭✭✭
    October 21, 2021
    https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/what-is-a-private-space-in-family-tree

    This information may provide some answers for you as well. Not exactly sure, but I think you are stating that your PID number for your mother is different from hers. That does not mean that you have duplicates of your ancestor. For privacy reasons, that is normal. Every living person would have a unique PID for each person that adds them into their line. When deceased, then all the different ID numbers, can be merged.

    1
  • LLErickson
    LLErickson ✭✭
    October 21, 2021

    Hi@MichaelChandler1 ,

    To secure the privacy of people who are still living, FamilySearch/Family Tree creates separate copies of living relatives…in your case, your copy of your mother’s record and her copy of her record. Your mother’s account will have a different ID number attached to her record and you will have a different ID number attached to your copy of her record in your account. It’s the process to assure that living people’s records do not become public. The link to the article offered by DebDT about Privacy in Family Tree can explain this in more detail.

    You expressed a concern that your account was not syncing with your mother’s tree. In order to populate a line in your tree, you will need to enter the name of someone who is deceased. Once you enter a deceased person on your mother’s line, the rest of the tree for that part of your family may fill in. Here is a link to an article that describes how adding deceased members of your family manually to your line may link to those additional ancestors in your tree that others have entered into FamilySearch:

    https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/article/how-do-i-add-a-family-member-to-the-pedigree-in-family-tree

    We hope these suggestions will help as you try to fill out your family pedigree!

    L.L.Erickson

    0
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