Unknown date/year of life events - make it possible to write UNKNOWN
I suggest that "unknown" can be used when the date and/or year of a life event is not known.
The way it is now, FamilySearch users have a tendency to write estimated dates for individuals who lived in a time with lacking historical records. This sometimes mess up the tree information.
Comments
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If it's completely unknown, just leave it blank?
What would actually help would be if FS always displayed dates complete with modifiers -- the "about" or "before" or whatever that one uses for inexact dates. If space or language are a problem, they could be abbreviated to mathematical symbols: ~1800 for "about 1800", <1882 for "before 1882", and >1872 for "after 1872".
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Thank you for your suggestions.
Leaving it blank is the best thing to do, but it might not solve the problem I am trying to address. Descendants seem to dislike blank birthdays just as much as they dislike the red exclamation mark next to UNKNOWN. You can also writing something in the "Reason this Information Is Correct" box, but this only works if Detail View is on.
Sometimes information about other life events or family members makes it easy to estimate a birth year, but when you have several generations of families with just a few recorded life events for individuals here and there, guessing can be misleading and create unnecessary problems in the shared tree.
Maybe a better solution to minimize "the guess mess" would be to add a function to vitals - a button to click on for UNKNOWN birth + possibility to tag discussions which are found in "Collaborate" (much the same way you can now tag an event in "Sources").
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Anne-Kathrine
I am just another 'lowly' User/Patron ...
[ And, I happen to be a Member of the Church ... ]
[ Plus, I have been a Staff Member, of Family History Centres", of the Church, for many Years ... ]
Just in passing ...
I understand; where, you are coming from ...
But ...
That Said ...
The "Word", of "Unknown"; as, a "Date", is NOT the answer ...
Leaving, the 'Date' Field; as, "Blank" (ie. NOTHING), is the answer ...
One option is "Training" ...
Of course, easier said, than done ...
Furthermore ...
Here is a "Knowledge Article", in 'FamilySearch':
I do not know the exact date to put in Family Tree
Where, it states, among other things"
Quote
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No death date
You know the person is deceased but do not know the exact date of death. Click the Deceased option and either leave the date field blank or enter an estimated year.
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Clearly, that "Knowledge Article", SHOULD, be updated, to indicate, for ANY 'Date', that ...
IF, the 'Date' is "Unknown" (and, CANNOT, be estimated; plus, indicated with, "About"; or, "Range'; as, they are acceptable alternatives, to "Nothing" - NO 'Date' ); THEN, simply, LEAVE, the 'Date' Field; as, "Blank" (ie. NOTHING).
Plus, here is another "Knowledge Article", in 'FamilySearch':
Shortcuts for entering dates into Family Tree
As a Programmer once said to me ...
[ And, NOT from 'FamilySearch' ... ]
You CANNOT, make a "System", FOOLPROOF; as, FOOLS are so INGENIOUS ...
[ That is so true ... ]
Perhaps ...
There should be, a 'rider', in 'Date' Fields, that states:-
IF, the 'Date' is "Unknown" (and, CANNOT, be estimated; plus, indicated with, "About"; or, "Range'; as, they are acceptable alternatives, to "Nothing" - NO 'Date' ); THEN, simply, LEAVE, the 'Date' Field; as, "Blank" (ie. NOTHING).
But ...
That Said ...
I hesitate to suggest/promote such; as, that should NOT be necessary ...
But, as you suggest ...
"... users have a tendency to write estimated dates for individuals who lived in a time with lacking historical records. This sometimes mess up the tree information ..."
And ...
"... Descendants seem to dislike blank birthdays just as much as they dislike the red exclamation mark next to UNKNOWN ..."
Everyone, has their own, likes; and, dislikes ...
[ Often, that CANNOT be "Changed"; even, when supported with, information/detail/training ... ]
We can but live in hope.
I know, that this certainly does not help/assist; but, I hope, that this may provide you with, some additional, insight; and, perspective.
Brett
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Brett, thank you for more perspectives.
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😀
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