Deleting/altering/merging a family member
This is the second time I have had someone delete my family member and change my family history - so frustrating and time consuming! One has to keep going back to check or watch them?
Is there no way that if one has memories attached to a person that contact has to be made before deletion or merging?
Thanks
Would love a reply.
Answers
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Hi Katherine, because this is a one family tree we do not stop people merging or deleting, but what we can do with this problem is a few safeguards such as putting in as many sources as you can especially certificates. Writing the life sketch. Going into changes on the right hand side of the vitals page and seeing who made the last change that is not yours and messaging them to discuss the differences and come to a common consensus. Putting pictures on the memories page and tagging them with the name. Hope this helps.
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@Katherine Jean (Armstrong) Cote
Katherine
Welcome to the "Community.FamilySearch" Forum.
I am just another 'lowly' User/Patron ...
Just in passing ...
Short Answer: 'No'.
You are not alone ...
Many of us have ... been there ... done that ... and, still do ...
Many of us have had 'wayward' "Changes" made to our "Ancestral" Lines ...
And, we understand; where, you are coming from ...
But ...
That Said ...
As you will no doubt be aware ...
Technically there is no way to STOP another User/Patron working along the SAME 'Ancestral" Lines.
Plus, there is NO requirement, for Users/Patrons, to make "Contact", with OTHER User/Patrons; BEFORE, making "Changes".
And, nor, should there be, in either case ...
Like it or not ...
Please be aware, that technically, you DO NOT have a "Tree", in the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch' ...
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.
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 the "Family Tree" Part, 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 the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch'.
We ONLY have "Branches" (ie. Ancestral" lines), that are interconnected, in this SINGLE "One" World "Tree", for all of us, that is the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch'.
The "Family Tree" Part, 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 the "Family Tree" Part, 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" Part, 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 the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch'.
The "Family Tree" Part, 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 the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch'.
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Now ...
That Said ...
Hence, why MANY Users/Patrons, of the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch', (STILL) maintain their OWN "Personal" (and, often "Private") "Database(s)", of their "Ancestral" Lines, on the likes of:
(1) 'On-Line' "Websites"
..... (eg. "Ancestry_com"; or "MyHeritage_com"; or, the like); and/or,
and/or,
(2) 'standalone' personal (computer) programmes
..... (eg, the OLD, now no longer supported, "PAF"; or, "Ancestral Quest"; or, the like).
As an aside ...
Please understand that ...
We ALL make MISTAKES ...
NONE of us are PERFECT ...
[ Plus ... we were ALL NEW once ... ]
None of us want to have our "Ancestral" Lines 'messed up'; but, unfortunately, it happens.
The "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch', like it or not, is a "Collaborative" effort.
[ Although, unfortunately, "Collaboration"; and, "Co-operation", DO NOT, always work, 'hand in hand' ... ]
The "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch', just does not suit, ALL Users/Patrons ...
As an aside ...
Sometimes, 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 ...
I know that this certainly does not help/assist; but, I hope, that this might provide you with some additional, insight; and, perspective; plus, other avenues to consider.
Brett
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It is so irritating when, having added family tree details decades ago, only to find someone (not even related) has deleted your grandmother and changed your grandfather's date of birth, using a census as a basis!
Unbelievable!
I have my grandparents birth, marriage and death certificates and actually knew them IN PERSON!
I have messaged the perpetrator but I will do nothing about it. They can correct it or not.
I will not be adding anything to the Familysearch tree in future.
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I am sorry you are having such frustration @Michael Jennings_1. Here are a few articles from the Help Center (circle with a question mark to the right of the navigation bar) that might be helpful:
How do I see what changes were made about a person in Family Tree?
How do I undo an incorrect change in Family Tree?
How can I prevent other people from making inaccurate changes to Family Tree?
Maile 🙂
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