FamilySearch/Family Tree Defined
I just read an article here explaining that a GEDCOM file uploaded into FamilySearch and compared with the Family Tree data base can be devastating if used improperly. I for one did not understand what I was doing. I thought I could upload my GEDCOM file from Ancestry.com and transfer the information to my "Personal Family Tree" on the FamilySearch/Family Tree site. After uploading and comparing my GEDCOM file to the Family Tree database (which I did not fully understand what I was doing at the time). I saw that about half the people in my tree (over 700) needed to be added to my tree. HUH! now I'm really confused and I go to the "Family Tree" menu and select "Tree". To my surprise I'm the only one in my "Personal Family Tree". That's when I found the article explaining the process and that this was an "Open Source" that anyone can change the information in. If this was explained during the GEDCOM upload process possibly a lot of damage might be prevented. I don't think anyone would want to do this on purpose.
Anyway does anyone know if there is a way to transfer the info in my GEDCOM file into my "Personal Family Tree" on the FamilySearch/Family Tree site or do I have to add each individual in my "Personal Family Tree" one at a time? The title of "Family Tree" for the database was a bit confusing too. I was initially thinking it meant my Family Tree.
Comments
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Nobody has a separate "personal family tree" on FamilySearch. There's just one Tree which we can all edit as we see fit, with the goal of having one -- and only one! -- profile per deceased person.
There is a section of FamilySearch where people can keep their own files separate from anyone else's, in Genealogies, but those are static files: you can search them and view them, but not edit them (except for being able to delete your own uploads). If you've uploaded a GEDCOM, then your file is already in Genealogies; you don't need to do anything else.
There is a process that compares your uploaded file with the communal Tree and attempts to find what parts of it are already here and which parts aren't, but this process is badly flawed. It fails to find many existing profiles, alerts you to duplicates that aren't actually the same people, and generally gives insufficient information to make good decisions.
As a pretty well-seasoned user of FamilySearch and its communal tree, my recommendation is to add your work from Ancestry manually, using your uploaded file in Genealogies as a main reference point. Yes, this will likely mean some re-typing of conclusions, but not nearly as much as people tend to fear, and besides, better that than the accidental overwriting of good data with less-good that the flawed compare-and-add process can cause.
So basically, start with your profile, add placeholder profiles for your living ancestors, then search the Tree for your deceased ancestors. If you find them, connect to them by adding the relevant relationships to your living placeholders. If, after due diligence in searching, you conclude that a deceased relative does not yet have a profile here, you can create it, copying-and-pasting the data from your uploaded file. You can likewise copy-and-paste your conclusions into existing but less-complete profiles. Don't forget to add your sources, either way.
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Mark
Welcome to the "Community.FamilySearch" Forum.
I am just another 'lowly' User/Patron ...
Just in passing ...
Your Question:
Anyway does anyone know if there is a way to transfer the info in my GEDCOM file into my "Personal Family Tree" on the FamilySearch/Family Tree site or do I have to add each individual in my "Personal Family Tree" one at a time?
Short Answer: That is somewhat complicated, to answer simply ...
As such ...
Firstly ...
Technically, one DOES NOT, have a "Tree", in "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch' ...
One's "Ancestral" Lines, are most likely ALSO those of another User's/Patron's "Ancestral" Lines, in fact, probably, that of quite a few other Users/Patrons.
So ...
That Said ...
Basically, we DO NOT have, a "Tree", in "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch', than is common misconception.
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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Secondly ...
Now ...
That Said ...
'Huh' ... the 'dreaded' GEDCOM File ...
As you have experienced, the "Upload", of a GECOM File, into the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch', is NOT such a good idea; especially, for NEW and Inexperienced Users/Patron, of 'FamilySearch'.
As an aside ...
Like MANY, I really wish, that 'FamilySearch', would just STOP allowing, the "Upload", of GEDCOM Files, into the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch', altogether.
There is just NO need, to "Upload", a GEDCOM File, into the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch' under ANY circumstance; even, if one's "Ancestral" Lines, are NOT already, in the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch'.
Furthermore ...
In hindsight, in you case ...
As I always 'say', to User/Patrons, who mention, the "Upload", of GEDCOM File, into the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch' ...
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You can; but ...
Please, DO NOT, "Upload", a GEDCOM File, into the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch'.
Upload, the GEDCOM Files, in the "Genealogies" Part, of 'FamilySearch', that is fine; but, please NOT, into the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch'.
Some of the reasons, that Users/Patrons (like myself), DO NOT, want the ability, to upload, a GEDCOM File, into the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch' are:
(1) It is most likely, that individuals/persons in a GEDCOM File, are ALREADY, in the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch'; and, most Users/Patrons, DO NOT; even, take the time to 'look', to 'see', if anyone in their GEDCOM File, is already in "Family Tree", in some instances, negating the need to even upload the GEDCOM File.
(2) There has been (many) cases; where, Users/Patrons, using the "Compare" process (of the upload), have "Dismissed", a "Possible" Match, with an individual/person already, in "Family Tree"; so that, THEIR "Record", from their GEDCOM File, is loaded into "Family Tree", regardless; just so that, their "Record" appears in "Family Tree" (and, in some instances, for Members of the Church, so they can do the "Temple" Work, despite the fact, that the "Temple" Work, is ALREADY done, with the "Possible" Match, with the individual/person already, in "Family Tree").
(3) Even with the "Compare" process (of the upload), there has been (many) cases; where, Users/Patrons, have uploaded, THEIR version of an individual/person, in their GEDCOM File, on top of (ie. Over) an individual/person ALREADY, in the "Family Tree" Part, of "FamilySearch", that has been there for MANY years and is well documented and "Sources" - in many instances obliterating all of the documentation and "Sources".
(4) If an individual/person, is ALREADY, in the "Family Tree" Part, of "FamilySearch", there is NO need, to uploaded one's version of an individual/person, from one's own GEDCOM File - just take note of the the 'FamilySearch Person Identifier' (PID) of the individual/person, that is ALREADY, in "Family Tree"; and, one can go back later, to ensure what information/detail, is recorded and attached, for that individual/person. Just, DO NOT, uploaded one's version of an individual/person, in one's GEDCOM File, on top of (ie. Over) an individual/person ALREADY, in "Family Tree" - obliterating, all of the documentation and "Sources", ALREADY in place/on record.
(5) The "Hours" (sometimes "Days"; or, even, "Weekes") of work, by other Users/Patrons, that can be needed to CORRECT the DAMAGE, done by the "Upload", of a GEDCOM File, can be disheartening.
I am sorry ... 'off my soap box' ...
Enter (ie. 'Create') the individuals/persons, in the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch', one at a time - on a one by one basis.
Many of the individuals/persons in a GEDCOM File, most probably, ALREADY exist in, the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch'.
Only one or two generations of the "Living" individuals/persons; and, perhaps, maybe, only one or two generations of the "Deceased" individuals/persons, may be required to be entered/input, into the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch"; BEFORE, some of the "Deceased" individuals/persons, from one's Ancestral Lines, ALREADY existing, in the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch', are discovered.
Use the "Find" facility/function/feature to Search, the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch', one may be surprised to find some (if not, many) of them already there.
Many well established and documented (eg. "Sourced") individuals/person, in the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch', have been RUINED, by the "Upload", of a GEDCOM File, into the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch'.
I hope, that this puts things into perspective.
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Finally ...
Unfortunately ...
I am sorry to say, that ...
Your circumstance/situation, is just another EXAMPLE, of WHY, the GEDCOM Files, should NOT be able/allowed, to be "Uploaded", into the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch'.
Now, it is just a matter, of trying "Find", all those individuals/persons, from the "Upload", of your GEDCOM File, that were (in fact) added into the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch'.
Good Luck, on that, that may be quite a painstaking task ...
[ Plus, the probable necessity, to "Merge"/"Combine", ANY resulting Possible "Duplicates" ... ]
I am so sorry, for your misfortune ...
I know, that this certainly does not help/assist; but, I hope, in hindsight, that this may provide you with, some additional, insight; and, perspective.
Brett
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Thank you so much Julia and Brett. I do believe I understand what is going on now. I went to the "Family Tree" menu and selected "Tree". I entered my parents and "WOW" It automatically filled in most of my paternal and maternal families. I entered my wife and her parents and nothing showed up except for my wife. AHHA! I do believe to get her families I will have to set up an account for her and go from there. Thank you both for explaining everything so well. Like I mentioned before I have a fairly large family tree and only about 700 or so are in the Family Tree database. Hopefully I will be able to add people that will help others in their search.
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😀
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I am asking the same questions you are. I've uploaded my Ancestry gedcom to the Genealogies section, but have no idea as to how I can use this as a tree within familysearch. Does this mean I will need to add them one by one?
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Lynda
Welcome to the "Community.FamilySearch" Forum.
[ With what appears to be your first post ... ]
I am just another 'lowly' User/Patron ...
Just in passing ...
You CANNOT use, your GEDCOM File, that you "Uploaded", into the "Genealogies" Part, of 'FamilySearch'.
We CANNOT either, "Edit", and/or, "Merge"/"Combine", GEDCOM Files, that have been uploaded, into the "Genealogies" Part, of 'FamilySearch'.
Those GEDCOM Files, that have been uploaded, into the "Genealogies" Part, of 'FamilySearch', are 'Static' - ie. "As Is" (when uploaded).
The ONLY option, that one has, is to "Delete"/"Remove", a GEDCOM File, that have been uploaded, into the "Genealogies" Part, of 'FamilySearch'; and, if one so desires, upload a NEW (updated/enhanced) version of the GEDCOM File.
Whereas ...
Now ...
That Said ...
IF, you DID NOT, proceed, to "Phase 2", the "Compare" Process, of the "Uploaded", of a GEDCOM File, into 'FamilySearch'; THEN, ...
Short Answer: 'Yes', one by one, one at a time ...
ONLY one or two generations of the "Living" individuals/persons; and, perhaps, maybe, only one or two generations of the "Deceased" individuals/persons, may be required to be entered/input, into the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch"; BEFORE, some of the "Deceased" individuals/persons, from one's Ancestral Lines, ALREADY existing, in the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch', are discovered.
There is just NO need, to "Upload", a GEDCOM File, into the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch' under ANY circumstance; even, if one's "Ancestral" Lines, are NOT already, in the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch'.
I hope, that this may help/assist, somewhat.
Brett
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hmmm.
Is the purpose of Family Search to build a one-world tree, belonging to Family Search?
I apparently didn't do the 'compare'
I may just replace my existing gedcom that I just submitted with my now-updated one in Ancestry and pay more attention to the "Compare" process... then can I assume the information from my newest Gedcom file will be able to be added to the Family Tree (on Family Search?)?
I was thinking of using Family Search site exclusively, and not continuing to use Ancestry every time. Is this feasible?
thank you for your comments, they were perfect in explaining the difference. I wrongly 'assumed' my info from my gedcom would automatically be uploaded into the Family Tree section of Family Search.
Lynda
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In terms of moving trees from one site to another, FamilySearch Family Tree is best thought of as being "upstream" from Ancestry. So, transfer trees from here to there; don't go in the other direction. Many of us do the majority of our tree work here, exporting periodically to Ancestry, where we make them public. That way, our well-curated consensus trees inform AncestryDNA ThruLines and can be taken up by other Ancestry users.
Working on a large tree in Ancestry disrupts the ThruLines analyses.
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