How to share family tree with my siblings to work together?
Hello,
I signed up for FamilySearch days ago and have created 50+ persons in my family tree. I would like to share those info with my brother so he doesn't have to repeat the process I did, and we can work together on updating the tree.
He has registered on FamilySearch but he couldn't find any person I have created, even by searching IDs (me or our dad). It seems in the FamilySearch database, we are two strangers and cannot see any info from each other.
I has tried to create a family group and invited him in. After he accepted my invitation, I could only see his username. No profile, no personal info, and he is still "Not Related" to me.
Can anyone help? Thank you in advance!
Best,
Dawei
Best Answer
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Dawei
Furthermore ...
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 ...
[ And, please bear with me; as, I am VERY 'Verbose' ... that is my 'style' ... ]
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'.
You can certainly "Merge"/"Combine" any "Deceased" individual/person, in "Family Tree" ,of 'FamilySearch' with another "Deceased" individual/person, in "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch', regardless of who the User/Patron was that initially created those "Deceased" individuals/persons; as, they DO NOT reside with the User/Patron who initially created them - they are "Public".
In fact, you can ONLY see "Deceased" individuals/persons, in "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch'; except, with this 'rider', that you can ALSO only see "Living" individual/person, in "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch' that YOU created; as, they reside in your "Private Spaces".
No other User/Patron, can see ANY "Living" individuals/persons, that were created by another User/Patron; as, they ONLY reside, in the "Private Spaces", of the User/Patron, who created them.
We CANNOT even 'see', the ACTUAL Record, in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch', of our IMMEDIATE Family (eg. Spouse; Children; Parents; Siblings; ETC; Etc; etc) if they are "Living"; and, they have their own 'FamilySearch' Account.
Of course, you can create your "Living" Family members; and, record them, in "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch'; but, they will ONLY be seen by you:
▬ You cannot "Share" them with any other User/Patron.
▬ You cannot "Merge"/'Combine" them, with any other "Living" individuals/persons, residing in the "Private Spaces", of another User//Patron.
There is CURRENTLY no mechanism, in "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch', for Users/Patrons, to, "Share"; or, "give permission" to "Share", the "Living" individuals/persons, in their own "Private Spaces", with/between other/another User(s)/Patron(s).
There are a myriad of "Privacy" Laws, within the many various Countries and Unions, throughout the World - it is a nightmare to negotiate.
"Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch', is used in many Countries and Unions, throughout the World; and, as such, must adhere, to the myriad of "Privacy" Laws, throughout the World.
Hence, "Privacy", is one of the reasons, that we cannot "Share", the "Living" individuals/persons, in our own "Private Spaces" - it is NOT the ONLY reason; but, certainly has a bearing on the matter.
Another factor is, that such would have to be 'Coded'/'Programmed', into the Programme, that is "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch'.
'Yes', these "Living" individuals/persons, in "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch' WILL, in fact, in many (most) cases will be "Duplicated" - unfortunately, a necessary situation, that currently cannot be avoided.
I know, that there are "Duplicates" of the "Living" ME - at least, one for my Wife and each of our Children, not to mention, my other ("Living") extended Family members.
Here are some "Knowledge Articles", in 'FamilySearch', in regard to "Private Spaces"; and, "Living" individuals/persons:
Who can see my living relatives in Family Tree?
https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/who-can-see-my-living-relatives-in-family-tree
How does Family Tree protect the privacy of living people?
https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/what-is-a-private-space-in-family-tree
What Family Tree features are available in my private space?
Can my living relatives share a Family Tree private space to work together?
https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/share-a-family-tree-private-space-with-family
Can I transfer my Family Tree private space to another user?
Here is a good place to start, with how things work in, "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch' (and, other programmes as well):
Overview
'FamilySearch'
"Family Tree"
https://www.familysearch.org/tree/overview
Getting Started with Family History
Here are the main things you need to know as you get started
https://www.familysearch.org/home/etb_gettingstarted
How to Use the Family Tree
https://www.familysearch.org/blog/en/how-to-use-family-tree/
What is The Family History Guide?
https://media.familysearch.org/what-is-the-family-history-guide/
The Family History Guide
Introduction
About The Family History Guide
https://www.thefhguide.com/introduction.html
The Family History Guide
I hope, that all this, may also help/assist, somewhat.
Brett
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Answers
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Dawei
Welcome to 'FamilySearch'.
And, Welcome to the "Community.FamilySearch" Forum.
I am just another 'lowly' User/Patron ...
Just in passing ...
FYI
IF, "Any" of those individuals/persons that YOU "Created" in "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch', are STILL "Living"; THEN, please be aware, that NO other User/Patron will be able to 'see' (or, 'access') them; as, they reside, in the "Private Spaces", of your 'FamilySearch' Account - ONLY able to be 'seen' (and 'accessed') by you.
As such ...
Unfortunately, due to "Privacy", your Brother, will have to "Create", his own COPY (ie. DUPLICATES), of ALL "Living" individuals/person, that connect/link you both together.
Even, having a "Family Group", in 'FamilySearch', DOES NOT allow Users/Patrons, to 'see' (or, 'access'), the "Living" individuals/persons in another Users/Patrons 'FamilySearch' Account - NOT even IMMEDIATE Family members.
Once, the "Living" individuals/persons have been ADDED, then, when you come to your FIRST "Common" Ancestor who is "Deceased", you will be able to "Synchronise" with each other, on the SAME "Ancestral" Lines.
Primarily, the ONLY individuals/persons that we can ALL 'see' (and, 'access') are those that are "Deceased".
Just my thoughts.
I know, that this may not be what you wanted to 'hear'; but, I hope that this provides you with some, insight; and, perspective.
Brett
ps: Stay tuned, more to follow ...
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Dawei
Now ...
For starters ...
Just expanding on my previous ...
Just my take ...
When you are WITH another ("Living") User/Patron, be-it a Family member or not, looking at/in THEIR 'FamilySearch' Account, ...
Even though you can 'see' that they have a particular 'FamilySearch Person Identifier' (PID) in THEIR 'FamilySearch' Account ...
You, will NOT be able to 'see' that PID for the other User/Patrons in/through YOUR 'FamilySearch' Account ...
NOR, will you be able to USE that PID for the other User/Patrons in/through YOUR 'FamilySearch' Account ...
For ("Living") Users/Patrons, of "Family Tree', of 'FamilySearch' (including yourself), their PID is, unique to them; and, can ONLY bee 'seen' by them, in THEIR 'FamilySearch' Account ...
"Living" Users/Patrons, of "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch', ARE just like, in fact, just the SAME as, "Living" individuals/persons, in "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch', that are recorded in our "Private Spaces", of our individual/personal 'FamilySearch' Accounts - they can ONLY be 'seen' by the User/Patron who created them; or, in case of a "Living" User/Patron, by them.
As such ...
For "Living" Users/Patrons, just like "Living" individuals/persons, we HAVE to "Create" a ("Living") DUPLIACTE of them in OUR own respective 'FamilySearch' Accounts, in other words within our respective "Ancestral" Lines in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.
And ...
That said ...
'Yes' ... they WILL be DUPLIACTES ... but, that is O.K.; and, a necessary feature for "Privacy".
Basically ...
You and your ("Living") Family members (and, extended Family), have to "Build" a "Bridge", of the "Living" individuals/persons (As "Living" DUPLICATES), that connect/link you together, in your respective 'FamilySearch' Accounts ...
Once, you and your ("Living") Family members (and, extended Family), have ALL "Built" that "Bridge", of the "Living" (individuals/persons), that connect/link you ALL together (As "Living" DUPLICATES); then, when you ALL come to your FIRST Common "Deceased" Ancestor, your "Ancestral" Lines will connect/link together into one.
I hope, this also helps/assists, somewhat.
Brett
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Hi Brett,
Thank you, for taking your time to provide me with such detailed explanation. I appreciate it very much! The resource links you shared are also very helpful!
Now I start to understand how to use FamilySearch. It is indeed interesting to know its limitation due to privacy law and programmability.
Privacy has a vague borderline when it comes to families. I agree it is important to comply with privacy laws worldwide. I do hope there is permission controlled privacy in the private sector later, but understood it would also be more challenging to implement from technical perspective, especially given by the fact this website is run by volunteers.
Again, thank you so much for answering my question. I am grateful for your prompt reply and kind help!
Best,
Dawei
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Dawei
I am just glad, that I was able to provide, some useful details.
We were all new once ...
That is what this "Community.FamilySearch" Forum, was originally established for, a number of Years ago.
Users/Patrons, HELPING / ASSITSING, Users Patrons ...
And, has been operating quite successfully for all those Years.
We have all, at some stage, been helped/assisted in, this; &, previous iterations, of the 'FamilySearch' Forum(s)
Do no hesitate, to ask for and seek help/assistance, when you need it,
The "System", is ever changing, to address, the ever changing World, that we live in.
We can all help/assist each other.
I hope, that you have success wit your Genealogy/Family History.
There are a number of 'Groups', in the Forum, covering a multitude of, Places; Subjects; Topics; and, Special Interests.
Feel free, to "Join"; and, become a member, on one or many, of those 'Groups'; as, there are many, that may help/assist you, with your Research (including: Translations, if need be).
Enjoy.
And, Good Luck.
Brett
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@DaweiLiu2 I hope you look carefully at all the good resources you have been provided. The bottom line is that if all the 50+ people you have created and worked on are living and younger than you, there is a good chance NO ONE will EVER see your work after you are deceased. There is no provision, as is stated in the links, to carry on your work or transfer it. I highly recommend you bite the bullet, so to speak, and spend money on a truly collaborative product, such as Ancestry. If two people have Ancestry accounts, one can share a tree with the other and provide full access for editing and viewing live people. Collaboration in FamilySearch only works when the group is working on deceased ancestors, friends, etc.
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