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My tree shows lots of folks as being my ancestors that I now know are incorrect.

System
System admin
May 2 in Family Tree
This discussion was created from comments split from: Stopping errors being added to an existing tree.
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Answers

  • KyleStallones
    KyleStallones ✭
    April 30

    I hear the arguments for one communal tree. But I wonder whether that does any good if the communal tree is just wrong. It seems terribly difficult to repair errors. My tree shows lots of folks as being my ancestors that I now know are incorrect (some that I may have added by mistake in the past, some that other people may have added by mistake). When I try to correct those entries, I so far can't find an obvious way to delete all the long string of incorrect persons going back in time. So when I try to correct to some of the correct names, it may mess up the profile page of people who are in other folks' tree; so I gave up trying to fix it. There should be easier buttons (more obvious buttons) to delete a person (or to delete a string of persons) when that person (and his/her ancestors) really should not be in my tree. And I suppose that later on, if someone adds folks back in to my tree that are incorrect, I'll have to keep on watching it and keep on fixing it. Maybe eventually it will dampen down to where everyone at some point may agree on the ancestral path, and stop fiddling with it; but that may take a while before uninformed folks (me or others) stop messing with it.

    I suggest that it may be better to let each person have their own separate tree; with folks being able to see my opinion of who my ancestors are; and with me being able to see who other cousins think their ancestors are. That way, I can test my assumed ancestral path against other similar ancestral paths to try to evaluate which may be more correct.

    1
  • dontiknowyou
    dontiknowyou ✭✭✭✭✭
    April 30

    @KyleStallones

    Don't correct any names. The problem almost always is a wrong relationship between two correct profiles. Simply detach the most recent ancestor who is not the correct ancestor.

    Do that on the descendant's profile, Details page, in the Parents block. Beside the descendant's name is a pencil-and-paper icon. That is your edit button.

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  • dontiknowyou
    dontiknowyou ✭✭✭✭✭
    April 30

    I suggest that it may be better to let each person have their own separate tree

    Good news! That exists over on Ancestry.com.

    1
  • Brett .
    Brett . ✭✭✭✭✭
    May 1

    @KyleStallones

    Kyle

    Welcome to the "Community.FamilySearch" Forum.

    I am just another 'lowly' User/Patron ...

    Just in passing ...

    I 'hear' what you are saying; and, understand where you are coming from ...

    But ...

    That Said ...

    For starters ...

    One DOES NOT "Delete" erroneous individuals/persons, from one's "Ancestral" Lines ...

    One "Removes", the association, of the erroneous individuals/persons, from one's "Ancestral" Lines ...

    Now ...

    That Said ...

    You are not alone ...

    MANY; Many; many, of us, ... have been there ... done that ... still do ...

    Many of us have had 'wayward' "Changes" made to our "Ancestral" Lines ...

    So ...

    That Said ...

    Please be, aware; &, advised, that technically, you DO NOT have a "Tree", in "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch' ...

    Please let me explain ...

    Technically, there is no way to STOP another User/Patron working along the SAME 'Ancestral" Lines.

    Unfortunately, such CANNOT be prevented.

    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.

    Now ...

    That Said ...

    Like it or not ...

    Basically, we DO NOT have, a "Tree", in "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch', than is common misconception.

    And, OTHER Users/Patrons, DO NOT need/require, our (ie. one's) "Permission", to "Change" the information/details of "Deceased" individuals/persons, in "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch'.

    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 "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch', when they join in.

    Please let me explain ...

    We do not have our OWN "Tree" in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.

    We ONLY have "Branches" (ie. Ancestral" lines), that are interconnected, in this SINGLE "One" World "Tree", for all of us, that is "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.

    "Family Tree" 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 "Family Tree" 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" 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 "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.

    "Family Tree" 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 "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'. 

    I hope that this gives you some, insight; and, perspective.

    ------------------

    In other words ... "Collaboration" ...

    Of course ... often ... easier said, than done ...

    [ Sometimes, no matter how hard one tries, "Collaboration", does not work ... such is life ... ]

    Plus ...

    We ALL make MISTAKES ...

    NONE of US are PREFECT ...

    None of us want to have our "Ancestral" Lines 'messed up'; but, unfortunately, it happens.

    Just my thoughts.

    I know, that this certainly does not help/assist; but, I hope, that this provides you, with some additional, insight; and, perspective.

    Brett

    ps: Unfortunately, the "Family Tree" Part, of 'FamilySearch', is not for all ...

    .

    0
  • Brett .
    Brett . ✭✭✭✭✭
    May 1

    @KyleStallones

    Kyle

    Furthermore ...

    Just in passing ...

    FIRSTLY ...

    That is exactly why, many Users/Patrons, ALSO maintain their own PRIVATE "Database(s)" (ie. Copies) of their "Ancestral" Lines , on '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).

    And ...

    SECONDLY ...

    All that one can really do, is 'Monitor', one's "Ancestral" Lines, for 'wayward' CHANGES, by OTHER Users/Patrons.

    Nothing more, nothing less ...

    As an aside ...

    IF, you were not already aware; THEN, ...

    In "Family Tree", of "FamilySearch' ...

    We have the ability to "Watch" (Oops, sorry, 'old school', "Follow"), up to a MAXIMUM of x4000 individuals/persons, at any given time.

    Basically ...

    It is a matter, of "Following", one's MOST important Ancestors.

    Just to keep on top, of any 'wayward' CHANGES.

    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; as, they happen/transpire/unfold.

    Just my thoughts.

    Brett

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  • Brett .
    Brett . ✭✭✭✭✭
    May 1

    @KyleStallones

    Kyle

    Plus ...

    Depending, upon the the situation/circumstance ...

    Here are some "knowledge Articles", in 'FamilySearch':

    A person in Family Tree has the wrong spouse

    https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/article/a-person-in-family-tree-has-the-wrong-spouse

    https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/article/a-person-in-family-tree-has-the-wrong-spouse

    How do I correct parent-child relationships in Family Tree?

    https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/article/how-do-i-correct-parent-child-relationships-in-family-tree

    https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/article/how-do-i-correct-parent-child-relationships-in-family-tree

    I hope, that these may also help/assist, somewhat.

    Brett

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