Errors in Church Census Records
I, like many others, received an email Sunday AM listing ancestors and listing religious records as the source. Among the sources was the "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Church Census Records (Worldwide), 1914-1960". I was very disappointed to find the information for many ancestors was so inaccurate that I would not consider the census record as a source. Multiple aunts and uncles are listed as born in "America" when they were born in specific sites in Alberta, Canada. Multiple spelling errors. A daughter has her birth listed correctly for a father listed incorrectly with her mother, both listing Church Census Records as the source. My wife found multiple similar errors in her ancestors relating to place of birth as well as spelling errors, all involving the Church Census Records. These records are in conflict with other reputable sources. If Church Census Records are attached it does nothing but create confusion.
Is there a way to correct spelling? Is there a way to correct place of birth? Is this an issue for many others in Church Census Records for individuals who were in Alberta in 1914 and later?
(Note: based on current circumstances I'm unable to view original documents)
Answers
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Providing a link or URL to these records would help us to give you an appropriate answer.
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Below is the listing of some of the errors requested. Thanks for looking at my concerns.
David M Steed KWC2-3YG - The four children listed were all born in Alberta.
"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Church Census Records (Worldwide), 1914-1960", database, FamilySearch(https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Z2GB-BMW2 : 25 August 2021), David M. Steed, 1914.
Lilly Gregson (Archibald) KWZ9-CYF - The four children listed were all born in Alberta. Also William should be Wallace. The Gregson attached to Lilly is spelled Gregsen. She is listed as being born in Europe. Many records place her birth in Preston, England. As she is my grandmother I knew her well and have been to her birthplace in England.
"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Church Census Records (Worldwide), 1914-1960", database, FamilySearch(https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:ZWT1-WZ6Z : 25 August 2021), Lilly Gregsen Archibald in entry for Micheal Hendry Archibald, 1914.
Michael Archibald KWZ9-CYJ - The husband of Lilly Gregson (Archibald). In this census she is born in Preston England which is correct. William is now Wallace which is correct. Donna, an added daughter is born in Cardston, also correct. Wallace and Isabel are no longer born in America but in Alberta which is correct. Of note, this census is dated 1935, he died in 1914.
"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Church Census Records (Worldwide), 1914-1960", database, FamilySearch(https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Z4QP-WT2M : 25 August 2021), Michael Archibald, 1935.
Not trying to be difficult here and I recognize sources need to be balanced and it is from all sources that information is attached to an individual. The errors in these church census records were so blatant that I wondered if there is a way to correct or annotate records like this. I'm ignoring them but others may give credibility to them just because they are The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Church Census Records.
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I too had multiple errors in the record sent to me. I don't like to save records that are not correct. I found no way to correct it. Nor can I look at the original it was copied from.
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General comment: If the records are incorrect (in the original or image copy) - the only way to annotate them would be to download a copy (if allowed) and use image editing software to include that annotation. That annotated image could then be uploaded to your FamilySearch Source Box and attached as a source to the relevant person(s).
There is not a way to annotate the image from FamilySearch directly (there is some limited indexing correction if the Edit button is available on the Record page - i.e. Names/places - but many indexes are not currently editable). You can add Notes and Attachment Reasons that explain the need for correction/annotation. If the records do belong to the person it would be best to at least attach that record - otherwise the system will continue to suggest it as a Record Hint - whether for that person or some other person (it needs to be attached to the correct person).
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My thanks to genthusiast. While not a solution, your reply tells me you understand where I'm coming from. Records are rarely perfect, I guess I just expected something more accurate from Church Census Records. I'm going to go with your suggestions and hopefully alleviate confusion in the future.
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