To who do I complain about other people destroying my family tree by making incorrect deletions?
Today, I found yet another person has basically changed and destroyed my family tree by deleting the mother of my 2nd great grandfather and adding his stepmother as his birth mother. Obviously, by doing that the lady has now destroyed my tree. I know with certainty my info was correct, but now this person who has obviously done little or no research on my 2nd great grandfather has ruined my tree.
This has happened to me in the not too distant past where people have added or corrected info which I knew with certainty based on real research.
I am now at the point where I will stop using the family tree in familysearch.org. I can spend hours and hours of research, post my documented ancestors to my tree only to have someone in a few minutes destroy my work. That just is not right and something has to change to bring some integrity to the system. Right now this "wiki" system is destructive and, thus, I will no longer use this site for storing my own family tree info.
What is worse, there appears to be no way to communicate with the people who run this waste of time program.
I will not recommend familysearch.org to anyone for building their family tree.
Alan Dale Boyd, Evans, GA, e-mail: dale30809@aol.com.
Answers
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Dear @AlanBoyd1 ,
We are sorry for the frustration you are feeling because of the changes made by other users to the FamilySearch Family Tree.
The article below will give you some ideas about how you can prevent others from making inaccurate changes.
Because we have a shared tree, and because many of our users are new to the program, this can happen from time to time. We are happy to show you how to easily change the records back so your part of the tree will appear correctly again. Please provide the ID number and name of your second great grandfather and his correct number. We will then send you step-by-step directions to correct the situation.
Also, if you want to make suggestions about how we can improve the FamilySearch.org program please use "Ideas" on the left side of the Community, then choose "Family Tree" as your category, then add your idea.
We look forward to your reply.
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Folks,
The bottom line is that few, if any, of us have the time to constantly keep up with and "follow" our trees to guard against those trees being molested or changed. I should not have to do that. What happens to my tree in your world when I die and I'm, thus, no longer able to monitor it against attack by other ignorant researchers?
Your system does not work for most of us busy folks -- even for the non-busy really.
On the latest violation of my tree, I'd spent hours in conjunction with a research angel fleshing out that Wheeler family. NOTE: In this case in my tree, the birth mother of my 2nd great grandfather, James Henry Wheeler, was changed from Mary Elizabeth Herring to Mary Benson who was actually his stepmother. It took several months of collaboration to nail down the details of this Wheeler family and now, this latest lady has effectively destroyed many hours of research with a few keystrokes in less than an hour.
And, to make matters worse, you want me to do all of the work trying to convince the lady to correct her ignorant errors - if she's willing to do that. That's an unreasonable position for you people to take.
Also, I can't do needed research on my own tree if I'm having to constantly be on the lookout for people changing my tree in your sustem. There are thousands of people in most folks' trees.
I'm simply not going to use your system anymore unless it changes and gives me an absolute measure of protection against the violation I've experienced on more than one occasion now.
As an active daily family researcher, I will do my utmost best to encourage others not to waste time with your current family tree system primarily because your system lacks integrity. I've lost faith in your program. I'm done with it.
Alan Dale Boyd, Evans, GA, e-mail: dale30809@aol.com
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Alan
I am just another 'lowly' User/Patron ...
As an aside ...
Like it or not ...
Please be aware, that technically, you DO NOT have a "Tree", in "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch' ...
You are not alone ...
MANY; Many; many, of us, ... have been there ... done that ... still do ...
Many of us have had 'wayward' "Changes" made to our "Ancestral" Lines ...
It is often a matter of the MOST "Persistent" ...
Never give in ... Never give up ...
Hopefully, the other User/Patron will eventually 'tire'; and, give up ...
Unfortunately, there are NO winners ...
But ...
That Said ...
Technically, there is no way to STOP another User/Patron working along the SAME 'Ancestral" Lines.
Unfortunately, such CANNOT be prevented.
As, basically, we are all related.
Your "Ancestral" Lines, are most likely ALSO another User's/Patron's "Ancestral" Lines, in fact, probably, that of quite a few other Users/Patrons.
Now ...
That Said ...
Basically, we DO NOT have, a "Tree", in "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch', than is common misconception.
And, OTHER Users/Patrons, DO NOT need/require, our (ie. one's) "Permission", to "Change" the information/details of "Deceased" individuals/persons, in "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch'.
Here an old 'standby' of mine, that I have previously proffered on occasion ...
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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'.
I hope that this gives you some, insight; and, perspective.
------------------
In other words ... "Collaboration" ...
Of course ... often ... easier said, than done ...
[ Sometimes, no matter how hard one tries, "Collaboration", does not work ... such is life ... ]
Plus ...
We ALL make MISTAKES ...
NONE of US are PREFECT ...
None of us want to have our "Ancestral" Lines 'messed up'; but, unfortunately, it happens.
FIRSTLY ...
That is exactly why, many Users/Patrons, ALSO maintain their own PRIVATE "Database(s)" (ie. Copies) of their "Ancestral" Lines , on '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).
And ...
SECONDLY ...
Unfortunately, some people like to ... 'look at life through rose coloured glasses'.
Some people, 'see' ONLY what they WANT to 'see', regardless of ALL the supporting evidence (ie. proof) that is provided/supplied/attached.
Honestly, we can ALL be 'one-eyed' like that ... at times ...
Truly ...
It is a matter of "Watching" (oops, sorry, 'old school', "Following") our MOST important Ancestors.
Just to keep on top of any 'wayward' changes.
One can "Follow", up to a Maximum of x4000 individuals/persons, at any given time.
'FamilySearch', sends one, a 'Weekly' NOTIFICATION, of ANY "Changes", that are made to those individuals/persons one "Follows".
Better still, I DO NOT 'Wait' for that 'Weekly' NOTIFICATION ...
I check, the "Changes", to those that I "Follow", on a "Daily" Basis; so that, I can keep on top of things.
More often that not, nothing needs to be done; but, at least, I have the opportunity, to be abreast of things; almost as, they happen/transpire/unfold.
Such is not the best; but, certainly better than nothing ...
FINALLY ...
MANY; Many; many, Users/Patrons, just do not 'play well', in the "Shared" SINGLE "One" World "Tree" concept.
MANY; Many; many, Users/Patrons, just want THEIR "Record" (ie. the "Details"/"Relationship" that they add), to appear, in THEIR "Tree", in "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch', despite the fact, that they DO NOT have a "Tree", in "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch'; as, they ONLY have have "Branches" (ie. Ancestral" lines), that are interconnected.
Such is one of the DRAWBACKS of participating in a "Shared" SINGLE "One" World "Tree" concept.
That being:
▬ You are NOT in "Control"; and,
▬ You have NO "Control"; and,
▬ You are at the mercy of others ... just like others at your mercy.
"Collaboration" is great in "Theory"; but, as we all well know, "Collaboration" is NOT always so great in "Practice".
Certainly not ideal ...
As I previous suggested ...
We ALL make MISTAKES ...
NONE of us are PERFECT ...
Unfortunately, some People ...'look at life, through rose coloured glasses' ...
▬ They ONLY 'see', what THEY want to 'see' ...
▬ IF, they DO NOT like, what THEY 'see' ... they simply ... 'Dismiss' it ...
.... [ ie. WHATEVER, "Sources" (ie. Records); or, Other "Details", are provided as "Support"/Proof"/"Evidence" ]
Such is life ...
You CANNOT 'Whitewash' HISTORY, it is what is was ...
[ But, some People, try very hard ... ]
REMEMBER:
It is often a matter, of SURVIVAL, of the MOST "Persistent" ...
Just my thoughts.
Good Luck.
Brett
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I believe Family Tree works perfectly well for two types of users:
(1) Those who are fortunate enough to have no one else come across the branches in which they are working.
(2) Those who add branches of their family, never bother to keep a further eye on the records, so are blissfully unaware of any serious damage that subsequently takes place.
I have been fortunate in not having the records of my close family affected too much by the carelessness of others. However, as I have searched the wider tree, I have found horrendous errors in many of the corners investigated. Worst of all is the practice of merging individuals of no known relationship, merely because they had a vaguely similar identity - though probably from a different part of the globe and not even necessarily with the same full name!
Participating in the Family Tree project is certainly not for the faint-heartened, as the benefits the collaborative nature of FT brings to ones research is certainly often overweighed by complete exasperation at seeing seriously researched work so badly damaged.
I would neither encourage or discourage people from carrying on working in Family Tree. After a couple of days of wasted effort in putting a branch back to its original (correct) state I've been tempted to "throw in the towel", but here I am still!
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I just realised that none of my comments above directly answer your question! So, in short, there is nobody to complain to. FamilySearch has no section to monitor such damaging work, or provides any arbitration facility. It has been reported action has been taken if the changes can be shown to constitute "abuse" - e.g., being clearly of a malicious nature. Otherwise, it is left to the respective parties to sort out the "facts" for themselves.
One final point I would like to make is that direct family members do not always know best. I have encountered some individuals who insist they know their own family better than "outsiders", then reveal even they have differences with a cousin - possibly even a sibling - over certain relationships and identities. As I have stated in other posts, I am not a member of the LDS Church, but do feel empathy towards individuals who have (say) taken names to the temple, only to be told they have not been for the correct persons. If I feel I have caused upset, I pull back from further "interference", but (taking "the facts" so seriously) find such instances very sad.
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I'm not sure who you are, but I'm not going to read such a long drawn out response.
There in indeed a way to deal with this situation and that is simply to stop using this site for any family tree info at all and to point out to others the potential waste of time the "tree" section can be. I will certainly be encouraging others not to use the site.
I understand what you mean by any of us basically not having a family tree, but the church effectively represents their "tree" on their home page as my tree. Well, clearly it's not. This WIKI system is a disaster.
If one looks at my family tree (me being the "home person) today on the site today, it is demonstrably (with documented evidence) wrong. The fact that I didn't change that tree injects an overwhelming lack of integrity in this "tree" process. Basically, this is effectively an ultimate waste of time.
Unfortunately, I'm aware of a dear relative who is a LDS church member who has this as her only family tree and she works in her local FHL. I'm done with this site.
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My comment above was meant for Brett who delivered the long-winded response.
I can now see the "tree" info might be useful for "hints" only. But, I've now clearly learned how fragile the tree info is here.
I don't have a whole lot of time to waste correcting other ignorant people's injected errors to tree info that I took time to add which I knew with certainty was correct.
Again, this, for me, has turned into a disastrous and corrupted concept and I'm no longer going to waste my time with it.
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Working in an open-edit Family Tree that is shared by all users is not the easiest way to do your family history. Your dear LDS family member who does work in Family Tree may also work in a personal family history program that syncs with Family Tree. If you go to the Solutions Gallery and click Family Tree Management you will find several programs that work directly with Family Tree while allowing you to create your own personal Family Tree. One of these programs might be useful for you and for your dear relative so that you can share the work you are doing.
You points are well-taken. We hope you will consider using the FamilySearch Family Tree in conjunction with a personal program.
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I'm done with familysearch.org family tree feature. It's corrupt and lacks integrity in my view. I'm not at all satisfied with the concept. I now know many hours of research can be negated by some lazy editor. As has been my experience, I expect once most folks have their family trees destroyed or corrupted by some weekend ignorant lazy researcher those users too will just quietly try another resource that's not tied to familysearch.org tree options. This is a terrible concept -- process.
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