Can I upload a gedcom from Ancestry? If so, how?
Best Answer
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@Jeri Oroni
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You can; but ...
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Please Do NOT upload a GEDCOM File in "Family Tree" of "FamilySearch".
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Upload GEDCOM File in the "Genealogies" Part of "FamilySearch", that is fine; but, please NOT in "Family Tree" of "FamilySearch".
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Some of the reasons that Users/Patrons (like myself) DO NOT want the ability to upload a GEDCOM File into "Family Tree" of "FamilySearch" are:
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(1) It is most likely that individuals/persons in a GEDCOM File are ALREADY in "Family Tree" of "FamilySearch"; and, most Users.Patrons DO NOT even take the time to look to see if any one in their GEDCOM File is already in "Family Tree", in some instances, negating the need to even upload the GEDCOM File.
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(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").
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(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 "Family Tree" 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".
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(4) If an individual/person is ALREADY in "Family Tree" of "FamilySearch", there is NO need to up uploaded one's version of an individual/person from one's own GEDCOM File - just take note of the the 'FamilySearch Person Idenmtifier' (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 their 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.
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(5) The "Hours" (sometimes "Days") 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.
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I am sorry ... 'off my soap box' ...
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Brett
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Answers
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@Jeri Oroni
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We do not have our OWN "Tree" in "Family Tree" of "FamilySearch".
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We ONLY have "Branches", that are interconnected, in this SINGLE "One" World "Tree", for all of us, that is "Family Tree" of "FamilySearch".
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"Family Tree" of "FamilySearch" is NOT like "Ancestry.com" or the like.
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We DO NOT have "Private"/"Personal" 'Trees' in "Family Tree" of "FamilySearch" like other "Web" Sites; and/or, 'standalone' personal programmes.
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We do not even, own; or, manage; and, are NOT even responsible for, the "Deceased" individuals/person in "Family Tree" of "FamilySearch".
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"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".
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You can certainly "Merge"/"Combine" any "Deceased" individual/person in "Family Tree" of "FamilySearch" with another "Deceased" individual/person in "Family Tree" of "FamilySearch", regardless of who the User/Patron was that initially created those "Deceased" individuals/persons; as, they DO NOT reside with the User/Patron who initially created them - they are "Public".
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If fact, you can ONLY see "Deceased" individual/person in "Family Tree" of "FamilySearch"; except, with this 'rider', that you can ALSO only see "Living" individual/person in "Family Tree" of "FamilySearch" that YOU created; as, they reside in your "Private Spaces".
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No other User/Patron can see ANY "Living" individuals/persons that were created by another User/Patron; as, they ONLY reside in the "Private Spaces" of the User/Patron who created them.
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We CANNOT even see the ACTUAL Record in "Family Tree" of "FamilySearchc" of our IMMEDIATE Family (eg. Spouse; Children; Parents; Siblings; ETC; Etc; etc) if they are "Living"; and, they have their own "FamilySearch" Account.
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Of course, you can create your "Living" Family members; and, record them in "Family Tree" of "FamilySearch"; but, they will ONLY be seen by you:
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- You cannot "Share" them with any other User/Patron.
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- You cannot "Merge"/'Combine" them with any other "Living" individual/person residing in the "Private Spaces" of another User//Patron.
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There is CURRENTLY no mechanism in "Family Tree" of "FamilySearch" for Users/Patrons, to "Share"; or, "give permission" to "Share", the "Living" individuals/persons in their own "Private Spaces" with/between other/another User/Patron.
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There are a myriad of "Privacy" Laws within the many various Countries and Unions throughout the World - it is a nightmare to negotiate.
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"Family Tree" of "FamilySearch" is used in many Countries and Unions throughout the World; and, as such, must adhere to the myriad of "Privacy" Laws throughout the World.
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Hence, "Privacy" is one of the reasons that we cannot "Share" the "Living" individuals/persons in our own "Private Spaces" - it is NOT the ONLY reason; but, certainly has a bearing on the matter.
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Another factor is that such would have to be 'Coded'/'Programmed' into the Programme that is "Family Tree" of "FamilySearch".
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'Yes', these "Living" individuals/person in "Family Tree" of "FamilySearch" WILL, in fact, in many (most) cases will be "Duplicated" - unfortunately a necessary situation that currently cannot be avoided.
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I know that there are "Duplicates" of the "Living" ME - at least, one for my Wife and each of our Children, not to mention my other ("Living") extended Family members.
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Here is a good place to start, with how things work in "Family Tree" of "FamilySearch" (and, other programmes as well):
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Introducing The Family History Guide
https://www.familysearch.org/ask/learningViewer/733
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Introducing The Family History Guide
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The Family History Guide
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I hope this helps, to put things into perspective ...
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Brett
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Ok. No problem.
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@Jeri Oroni
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On the same token ...
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If NONE of your Ancestral lines appear in "Family Tree" of "FamilySearch"; then, in that case, fine, go ahead upload a GEDCOM File in "Family Tree" of "FamilySearch".
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The main thing is that "Family Tree" of "FamilySearch" has well over One Billion individuals/persons [some, maybe many, are "Duplicates"] - And, many NEW Users/Patrons DO NOT even take the time to have a look; before, they go ahead upload a GEDCOM File in "Family Tree" of "FamilySearch".
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Make sure you 'Search', using the "Find" facility/function/feature, in "Family Tree" of "FamilySearch"; BEFORE, you go ahead upload a GEDCOM File in "Family Tree" of "FamilySearch".
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Many NEW Users/Patrons are very surprised to actually find some (if not, many) of their Ancestors already in "Family Tree" of "FamilySearch".
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Plus, more importantly, entering individuals/person into "Family Tree" of "FamilySearch" is a good way to learn how the programme works.
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Again, just my thoughts.
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Brett
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This is probably going to sound really stupid - and it is - but - I guess I really didn't understand that Family Tree is a World Tree - and not a collection of individual family trees. I have been frustrated in the past when I have received a message that someone 'removed' a parent or relationship that is connected to my branch of the tree - and sometimes those changes - are errors, especially when I KNOW who my grandparents are and who their parents were - and then suddenly - POOF - someone removes a connection that should be there. Thank you! I was clueless! So sorry.
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@Jeri Oroni
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It DOES NOT sound stupid at all ...
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In fact, it a CONCERN that we ALL have ...
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As, both, I stated; and, you understand ...
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Because "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", that is the 'bane' we have to live with ...
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There is nothing that you can do; except,
(1) Keep those that we can (4000) on our "Watch" List; and,
(2) address/fix the Problems/Issues IMMEDIATELY as they occur.
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The "Open Edit" Platform is ALL about "Collaboration".
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You need to send (Constructive; Helpful; and, Cordial) 'Messages' to those that cause such Problems/Issues to "Train" and "Educate" them.
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Remember, we were all 'greenhorns' ... once ...
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We need to help and support each other.
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Sometimes it works; but, sometimes it does not ...
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The problem/issue is that the general populous WANT their, DATA; and, their (Temple) WORK to prevail, no matter what ...
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Unfortunately, that is 'human nature' ...
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We ALL think WE know all; and, WE are the ONLY "One" that does ...
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Hence, the amount of (Temple) WORK being done for "Duplicates", that were "Dismissed" as "Duplicates"; and, NOT, "Merged"/"Combined".
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That 'all boils down to' ... TRAINING, Training; and, more, training ... by the "Stake/Ward/Branch, Temple and Family History, Consultants".
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There is much less trouble from the non-member Users/Patrons, than from the Member Users/Patrons.
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The non-member Users/Patrons ARE better "Genealogists" (ie. Genealogy/Family History Researchers), than the Member Users/Patrons.
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You are certainly not clueless now, you are now armed with the ability to help others - do not shirk from that task, your experience is invaluable to NEW (and, even , some long standing) Users/Patrons.
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You DO NOT need to be sorry.
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I help people and User/Patrons all the time.
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All questions are relative to a User/Patrons experinence.
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We are all at different levels.
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If you want to know more about the "Watch" List, let me know.
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I love them.
I check my list of those whom I am "Watching", at least, twice a day.
I only takes a few moments.
That way I am on top of any "Changes" almost as they happen - that day.
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Brett
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What a wonderful and kind answer! I really appreciate this! I am not on Family Search all that often. Actually, I found it by accident, more or less. It was not really clear to me when I started adding 'my people' that I was not creating 'own tree' - but adding to a larger world tree. Maybe that was in some explanation somewhere that I missed. I wish I would have understood that. Anyway, my sister has an Ancestry tree. I work on her Ancestry tree with her - and often we run into 'brick walls' there. In trying to find information, I stumbled upon Family Search - and discovered that Family Search often has info I/we can't find via Ancestry. That's why I started what I thought was my own tree. To gain info not available or found via Ancestry. So - all this time - I've been frustrated when people have been removed or relationships severed on Family Tree - that I either know first hand should be there - or have knowledge of via Ancestry. Now - I get it. I thank you so much. This is going to make this experience with Family Search so much better for me. I can't thank you enough.
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