Repeated changes of place names from standard forms to nonstandard forms, etc.
I contacted FamilySearch support recently asking what could be done about someone repeatedly changing standard place names appropriate to the time of the event to the modern version of the same place. This is not someone that is new to Family Tree. I sent a message to the person, but there was no reply, just a continuation of the repeated changes to the modern versions of places. In another case, I have a cousin who disagrees with use of "United States" in place names and repeatedly changes that to "USA". He also drops words like "cemetery" and "memorial park" from what would be standard place names for those kinds of local places. We have exchanged messages about this issue in the past without resolution. One could argue that in all these cases, the place is usually (but not always) linked to some standard version of the correct place. However, that's not the point. I correctly entered the place, exactly matched the appropriate standard form, only to have these places repeatedly changed for no other reason than to make them not match their appropriate corresponding standard forms.
The response from FamilySearch support was that I could report that as abuse. Clearly, that is not correct. The page concerning reports of abuse says, "Errors or changes in records are not considered abuse. If you have questions regarding inadvertent or potentially malicious errors in records that you are unable to resolve, please contact FamilySearch Support." Of course, FamilySearch Support is where I started. Years ago, I reported something that was borderline as abuse and received a rather snippy response, so it does not make sense to do that again.
Everything we do in Family Tree feels temporary, and by default, consideration routinely seems to go to people who mess up data. Questions:
1) Does it matter if someone repeatedly changes carefully entered standard place names correct for the time of the event to represent a later time (e.g., an event in 1710 with place "Salisbury, Essex, Massachusetts Bay Colony, British Colonial America" changed to "Salisbury, Essex, Massachusetts, United States")?
2) Does it matter if someone repeatedly changes carefully entered standard place names to include nonstandard place names, abbreviations, postal codes, etc. (e.g., "Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, United States" changed to "Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, USA")?
3) Does it matter if someone repeatedly changes the names of cemeteries to drop out words indicating the type of location (e.g., "Ogden City Cemetery, Ogden, Weber, Utah, United States" to "Ogden City, Ogden, Weber, Utah, USA")?
I have to say this is the very thing that drives people off of use of Family Tree. Why should any of us carefully enter data if it is just going to be repeatedly messed up by people who want to ignore preferred practices and standard forms. Is there anything that can be done?
Answers
-
Hi @Robert V. Bremer. I guess I'm not watching enough of that part of our mutual interest tree because I did not notice the pattern of behavior, only isolated instances that I fixed almost without thinking about them. I will message you here on Community.
0 -
I understand your anger. The place name issue is very complicated, but what you describe seems excessively ridiculous, to the point of obsessive compulsive.
0 -
@Gail Swihart Watson - So, you're saying it's okay to input any form (perhaps as long as it is correctly linked) and more importantly it is okay to overwrite other people's contribution of standard forms changing them all to my personal preference? How is that supposed to be workable in a cooperative environment?
0 -
No, what I'm saying is what you are experiencing is horrible. The person is over the top obsessive compulsive in doing the wrong thing - not just doing the wrong thing. I sympathize with you.
1 -
@Gail Swihart Watson - Thanks for the clarification.
0 -
Robert V. Bremer,
to questions 1, 2, 3 yes..it does matter to you and to many of us attempting to follow standardization guidelines/aspirations. random thoughts/workarounds on the 3
- Option: due to unexplained, repetitive and non communicative nature of the "wrong era location" entry user, just drop a reason statement with the correct standardized location stating "birth location at that time was known as....V, W, X, Y" in the reason field....and "walk away". You did your best and left the accurate research "breadcrumb" to help others. Maybe create/use a custom "dispute" label in the "following list", than "Filter list by" "Dispute" label later ...months or years, ....when cooler heads might prevail. Disputes are normal in genealogy, its how we deal with disputes that define us.
- Not sure about the severity with using "USA" . "United States" is what I see and my preference in my drop down choices when I use FS and make a point to enter as such. A.com different story, it finds as acceptable and drops in "USA" all the time, I gave up and let the "USA" ride as more time now spent dropping key source docs and images or research into FS platform as we're at end of research hobby....personal preference. We accept later generation can make their own call if we've left the right breadcrumbs.
- Hmm...we just starting entering the standardized Cemetery name along with location info this year, didn't even know they were standardized. Old school entry for us has been location info only. my apologies. Odd though that the user wants to change something helpful to the reader AND standardized as you described. Our "old school" workflow has been to attempt to enter Cemetery name in the reason field OR copy paste the auto generated Findagrave.com source info (at bottom of FAG memorial page) if an actual image of headstone was viewed in the FAG memorial. Maybe a carry over from our Family Tree Maker Software days.
likely TMI.
most importantly, hang in there.
1 -
@Robert V. Bremer I sent you a message about 7 hours ago. You should see the red dot on the envelope icon in the upper right corner of your window. If you don't see it, expand your window or click on your profile link to get a popup box with a link to Messages.
0 -
Robert
I am just another 'lowly' User/Patron ...
Just in passing ...
Further to; and, in support of, what has already been proffered ...
"Edit Wars" ... one of the misfortunes ... of working, in a SINGLE "One" World "Tree" ...
Short Answers: 'Yes'; 'Yes'; and, 'Yes'.
Unfortunately ...
Unless, there is actual "Abuse" involved, 'FamilySearch' rarely, if ever, steps in ...
The EXPECTATION being, that the Users/Patrons, WILL (or, at least, SHOULD) work it out, amicably ...
[ Yeh, right ... as if, that ever happens ... ]
More often than not, it is just a matter of ... the "Survival" ... of the MOST "Persistent" ...
Unless, of course, things get "Nasty"; and, 'FamilySearch' MUST 'Step In' ...
Even then, it can be a long ... 'drawn out' process ...
Where, in the end, there are NO "Winners", no matter, who is right; and, who is wrong ...
Just my thoughts.
Now ...
That Said ...
There are some, actions that one can take; and, options available for you to pursue through 'FamilySearch' "Support"...
Here are some "Knowledge Articles" in 'FamilySearch', that somewhat addresses your problem/issue.
Here is the FIRST "Knowledge Article":
How can I prevent other people from making inaccurate changes to Family Tree?
Now ...
After that ...
As you can 'see', "Collaboration" needs to be undertaken.
But, when "Collaboration" FAILS; and, provided that there is NO "Abuse" ...
Then, there is this "Knowledge Article" in 'FamilySearch':
How do I report changes or problems made by other contributors?
that comes to the fore ...
In particularly, the last sentence in that "Knowledge Article"; which, is very IMPORTANT:
Quote
------------------
If you have questions regarding inadvertent, suspicious or potentially malicious errors in records that you are unable to resolve per the instructions above, contact FamilySearch Support.
------------------
But ...
That Said ...
Once a particular situation/circumstance, really borders on that of "Abuse" ...
There is this "Knowledge Article", in 'FamilySearch':
How do I report abuse, spam, inappropriate memories, and other content?
that comes to the fore.
Now ...
All That Said ...
As such ...
IF, you have undertaken "Collaboration" with the particular User/Patron in question, causing concern; and, that "Collaboration" has FAILED (eg. NO Response); and/or, there is "Abuse"; THEN, you can, either,
(1) For a "Private" communication ...
Contact 'FamilySearch' "Support" DIRECTLY via the,
(a) Telephone; and,
(b) an "Live ('On-Line') "Chat"
To keep the communication "Private", if you are directed back to this "Community.FamilySearch" Forum, insist that you do not want to do so; and, prefer that the matter be handled "Privately".
Whereas,
(2) For a communication is "Public" view ...
'Post' HERE in "Community.FamilySearch" Forum; and, HOPEFULLY, the "Moderators" [ ie. 'FamilySearch' "Support" (Personnel) ] HERE in this Forum, can TAKE the MATTER directly into the workings of 'FamilySearch' "Support", to help/assist you; and, communicate with you "Privately" via/through either, ("Private") 'Messaging' in 'FamilySearch' (or, the "Community.FamilySearch" Forum); and/or, DIRECT "E-mail".
And ...
IF, you want, keep any 'Post' here, in the "Community.FamilySearch" Forum, to a minimum, devoid of, "Personal" Information about one's self; and, even, not providing information about any Ancestors, just a precis of the matter; and, requesting a "Private" communication directly from 'FamilySearch' "Support" (Personnel).
------------------
Hopefully, a "Moderator" [ ie. 'FamilySearch' "Support" (Personnel) ], here in this Forum, WILL take this matter of yours, into the Workings, of 'FamilySearch' "Support", to better assist you.
------------------
Remember:
You are not alone ...
Most of us have ... been then ... done that ... still do.
Plus, it is a 'Slow' process, the whole thing, often takes some time, to resolve.
Good Luck.
I know, that this certainly may not help/assist; but, I hope, that this may provide you with, some additional, insight; and, perspective; plus, an avenue to pursue.
Brett
0 -
Man, that is very annoying. I have also come across this situation with another person. They might be using a third-party app to sync their stuff. Maybe they don't know it is happening, or they might know and not care. Did you get a correspondence with the user?
1
