Problem
How does one deal with a person who is abusing the tree by hyphenating female surnames en masse? The person has a sociopolitical ax to grind. She cares not to see only the maiden name only, and she refuses to understand the problems it causes in searching and merging. She gives the same copy-and-paste response to anyone who rids the hyphenated names. She doesn't care that she's not the only person related to the deceased. She will not appreciate what she is doing is not welcome. Whenever people correct the hyphenated surnames, she jumps on it ASAP, hyphenates again, and then adds the same canned copy-and-paste response as follows:
"Why do you want less information about a person's life instead of more? Does this make sense that Catherine Zeta-Jones, Olivia Newton-John, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Paula Modersohn-Becker, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, etc. can't use their names? That's why ancestry.com and findagrave.com changed their policies to bring them up to the modern era, not 1894! Hyphenated last names go back further than 1894 when the Mormons started their genealogy program. The decision to not use the women's married and maiden names which they earned was made by a male oriented society which is considered discrimination today and leaves out vital information in a persons life and family."
I have reported the abuse via the abuse link, and I talked to a FamilySearch representative today who will send the complaint up the channels. I was informed that FamilySearch will remain a wild, wild west open season to users who have little or no understanding of genealogy. Hence, they know the mega-tree is riddled with errata born from user ignorance. I'm left with questions:
Whose responsibility is it to educate the uninformed or misinformed?
How many users have never first sought what to do and how to do genealogy before ever making attempts to fiddle with the tree?
How many person profiles are there with no validating source attached to confirm?
How many times must one see "GEDCOM file" in Reason This Information Is Correct without a source ever being added for years?
How long must we wait to see sources attached when data entries show things like one's "family tree" et al when no source is never readily attached to validate the data? "
Should FamilySearch remain "inclusive" by looking the other way as slipshod research provides family connections based on a single secondary or lesser level source?
Again, whose responsibility is it to ensure that users have some level of education before working the tree?
Answers
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You can share with the user the link to the Help Center article:
"Maiden and married names—If a woman changed her surname after marriage, use her maiden name. "
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Nice to have the resource for rational persons who may err. Thanks.
Unfortunately, "GodlightInc" felt emboldened and ennobled by going against the grain. My last communiquée to her indicated I was on the phone waiting to talk to FamilySearch.
Before an hour passed, all hyphenated surnames were removed. This person either unwillingly removed the messes she created, or she was barred from FamilySearch access. The latter would mean Tech removed all that she did.
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Kenneth
I am just another 'lowly' User/Patron ...
Just in passing ...
Sounds concerning ...
As such ...
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" ...
[ As, in your case ... ]
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
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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.
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But ...
That Said ...
Once a particular situation/circumstance, really does border on (or, is) that of "Abuse" ...
There is this "Knowledge Article", in 'FamilySearch':
How do I report abuse, spam, inappropriate memories, and other content?
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, if available (ie. in one's Region, in the World), 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).
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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.
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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
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