Who can see?
Are my family tree pages viewable by others automatically, or do I need to give permission? Are they GEDCOM files, or is GEDCOM something different? I saw somewhere in my reading on Family Search that I should make my files GEDCOM files so that others can see and utilize my ancestors' information. I thought that is what I've been doing all along.
A confused novice!
Answers
-
There are multiple parts to FamilySearch's vast sprawl. Two of them are "arboreal": the Family Tree, and the Genealogies section.
The Family Tree on FamilySearch is an open-edit communal endeavor: anyone can not only see, but also edit (almost) anything in it, after logging in. It is intended to have one and only one profile per deceased person. (You can also enter living people in the Tree, but they will stay in your private space, which cannot be seen by anyone else. The capability exists so that you can link up all of your deceased relatives.)
The Genealogies section contains static (uneditable) genealogy files from various sources. One of those sources is other users of FamilySearch: anyone (including you) can upload a family tree file to this section, where it will become searchable and viewable by anyone. The format used for the upload is GEDCOM, which is a standard file format that most genealogy software and websites can generate and interpret.
The capability exists of taking an upload a step further and adding information from it to the communal tree, but the process is badly flawed: it starts with searching existing profiles to see if the people in your file are already here, but the algorithm fails to recognize many exact matches, and distracts you with many spurious possible matches that are not actually correct. The "add" process is also insufficiently transparent; it fails to tell you enough about what's in the Tree to make good decisions about what to transfer. In the long run, it's much easier and faster to add your family to the communal tree manually, one person at a time.
It is one of the great ironies of the genealogical world that FamilySearch, the originator of the GEDCOM format, does not generate files using it. If you want a GEDCOM of what's in the communal tree for your family, you need third-party software that interfaces with FamilySearch to download data from the Tree and create a file.
0 -
" it's much easier and faster to add your family to the communal tree manually, one person at a time."
Yep - and that is very much by design,
People who upload GEDCOMs (into Family Tree) generally are just creating a big mess and tons of duplication . . .
but you can upload your GEDCOMS to teh Pedigree Resource File - and then your data is in tact and self contained.
most of the ancestors in our GEDCOM files are already in the Family Tree.
0 -
Kent
Welcome to the "Community.FamilySearch" Forum.
I am just another 'lowly' User/Patron ...
You are not alone ...
We were ALL "New" once ...
For starters ...
In relation to the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch' ...
-----
Your Question: Are my family tree pages viewable by others automatically
Short Answer: 'Yes' (ie. the "Deceased"); and, 'No' (ie. the "Living").
-----
Your Question: Do I need to give permission
Short Answer: Really, you CANNOT give 'Permission', for OTHERS, to 'see' the "Living", in your "Ancestral" Lines.
[ Others CAN already 'see', the "Deceased" individuals/persons, in the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch' ... ]
-----
Your Question: Are they GEDCOM files
Short Answer: 'No'.
-----
Your Question: Is GEDCOM something different
Short Answer: 'Yes', GEDCOM Files are something different.
-----
More to follow ...
Just my thoughts.
I hope, that this may help/assist, somewhat.
Brett
0 -
Kent
Just in passing ...
In relation to GEDCOM Files ...
GEDCOM Files, CAN be "Uploaded", into the "Genealogies" Part, of 'FamilySearch'.
Such can be 'seen', by OTHER Users/Patrons, for information; and, research purposes ...
So, we CAN have, 'Standalone' (ie. UNCONNECTED) Personal "Trees"; as, a GEDCOM File, in the "Genealogies" Part, of 'FamilySearch'.
Now ...
That Said ...
Those "Trees" CANNOT be "Changed"/"Edited" ...
They are "Static" ...
They appear 'As Is', when "Uploaded"; and, REMAIN as such ...
They CAN be "Deleted"/"Removed"; and, "Replaced", with an "Updated" version, if one so desires.
Or, one can just LEAVE, the OLD one's, in PLACE; and, ADD a NEW, "Updated" version, if one so desires.
The choice is yours.
But ...
That Said ...
Those GEDCOM File, come from, the likes of one's OWN 'Personal' (Family History/Genealogical) Database, from either, an 'On-Line' "Website" (eg. "Ancestry_com"; or "MyHeritage_com"; or, the like); and/or, a 'Standalone' Personal (Computer) programme (eg, the OLD, now no longer supported, "PAF"; or, "Ancestral Quest"; or, the like); but, NOT from the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch'.
Just a little more ...
Just my thoughts.
I hope, that this may help/assist, somewhat.
Brett
0 -
Kent
Just in passing ...
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 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'.
-----------------
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/
About The Family History Guide
The Family History Guide
Introduction
https://www.thefhguide.com/introduction.html
The Family History Guide
Just my thoughts.
I hope, that this may also help/assist, somewhat.
Brett
0 -
Some great comments have been made by others in regard to what you are trying to do with the information you are entering into the FamilySearch Family Tree.
It is important to understand that there is no way to created a GEDCOM file in the Family Tree program to share it at any other site, however, because Family Tree is a World-wide Tree rather than a personal tree like those that you may have created at other genealogical site, every record for a deceased ancestor is visible to anyone who registers for a FamilySearch account.
The only records that you have created in Family Tree that are not visible to other users are those records of living people which are not able to be shared with others. These personal records are only available to you. For this reason, it is usually best to avoid adding a lot of living relatives that only you will see. This often creates duplication that will have to be resolved when our living relatives pass away.
It is often necessary to add a few living relatives [such as parents and/or grandparents] which create a bridge to our deceased ancestors, but as we link our deceased ancestors to our pedigree, we often find records that others have already created which make our work easier and which allows us to make contact with extended family members we may not have been aware of.
Thank you for your efforts to build your pedigree at FamilySearch. We wish you success as you continue to work in the Family Tree program, and like those who have also shared responses, I hope you will review the Overview for Family Tree to get a greater understanding of this part of the FamilySearch site.
To learn more about other parts of the site, please don't hesitate to click the links at the top of the page. The Search link leads you to everything that can help you with your Research. There is an overview option for Memories and Get Involved. The Activities link directs you to some fun activities that are related to information that is in Family Tree. We hope you will enjoy working with each of these additional areas as you continue to learn about FamilySearch.
1
