Why is my family history information being changed?
I have been researching my family history for a number of years. I knew all 4 of my grandparents while they were still alive. I have entered information about my family in my family tree on your website. The information I entered has been altered. My great grandparents names have been altered or completely changed. There is no information about who has changed the information nor any reason or sustanciation for the changes. I corrected the incorrect information and made notes as to the documentation for my information. Again wrong information has been entered and with no reference information. I welcome new information if it is correct. If it is incorrect it results in a great deal of wrong data. If possible I would like to be in touch with the person making changes to my information. Maybe we could exchange mutually advantageous information.
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Answers
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Penny
Welcome to the "Community.FamilySearch Forum.
I am just another 'lowly' User/Patron ...
Just in passing ...
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 ...
Now ...
That Said ...
Please be aware, that technically, you DO NOT have a "Tree", in "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch' ...
Please let me explain ...
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.
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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.
Just my thoughts.
I know, that this certainly does not help/assist; but, I hope, that this provides you, with some additional, insight; and, perspective.
Brett
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Furthermore ...
Just in passing ...
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 ...
All that one can really do, is 'Monitor', one's "Ancestral" Lines, for 'wayward' CHANGES, by OTHER Users/Patrons.
Nothing more, nothing less ...
As an aside ...
IF, you were not already aware; THEN, ...
In "Family Tree", of "FamilySearch' ...
We have the ability to "Watch" (Oops, sorry, 'old school', "Follow"), up to a MAXIMUM of x4000 individuals/persons, at any given time.
Basically ...
It is a matter, of "Following", one's MOST important Ancestors.
Just to keep on top, of any 'wayward' CHANGES.
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; as, they happen/transpire/unfold.
Just my thoughts.
Brett
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All edits to Family Tree are identified, and you can contact the person who made them using FS's internal messaging system.
On a profile's Details page/tab, you'll need to turn on Detail View:
You can send a message to the person who made a change by clicking his/her contact name and choosing the paper-airplane icon:
For changes that are not the most recent, use the profile's Change Log (Latest Changes - Show All).
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@Julia Szent-Györgyi - Would you be willing to try to edit your last post and reupload the screenshots you shared? I think that should make the images show properly.
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@PiperWilson Julia's images are showing just fine here.
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Well, happy grump! ;)
The first time I looked, I could only see that an image had been posted, but not successfully. It's nice to be wrong.
Thank you, @Áine Ni Donnghaile! Disregard, @Julia Szent-Györgyi
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@PiperWilson, you were probably just being too prompt. :-)
I did try to word my text so that absence of the images would not completely remove any information. This forum is unpredictable about image attachment.
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I find it difficult to understand why anyone would be interested in spending research time looking for accurate information if that information can be removed or edited without any pretense of accuracy. I know who I am. I know my ancestors back at least 6 generations. I have visited their graves. My maternal great grand parents names have been changed with no comment or reason for those changes. I changed them back once. I gave my reasons for replacing the incorrect information with correct information along with documentation, The incorrect information has returned. Whoever made those changes does not seem interested in giving reasons for those changes. If this organization is not interested in accuracy what is the point of the exercise? I am very interested in imput from other people but inaccurate information hurts everyone. I am not discussing photos. I am discussing accurate names.
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The information entered is not done by the organization, but by individuals.
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