How do you know, if there are duplicate names, which one is the right person for your tree if you ha

User1585602890618439358

How do you know, if there are duplicate names, which one is the right person for your tree if you have limited information?

Brett .

@CarolEftink CarolEftink​ 

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Carol

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You just have to keep "Researching" ...

And, if you still cannot "Decide"; because, there is insufficient information to 'compare'; then, ...

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"Dismiss" the "Possible" Match; but, I would add a "Discussion" indicating that they were were a "Possible" Match; whereas, you "Dismissed" that "Hint" due to insufficient information - that way if MORE information 'comes to light', at a later date, you can "re-visit' the "Possible" Match.

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Reason: "Discussions" CANNOT be "Deleted"/"Removed" by OTHER Users/Patrons - they can ONLY be "Deleted"/"Removed" by the User/Patron who added/posted the "Discussion".

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Just a thought.

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Brett

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Family Bible

Great feedback from Brett

 

Don't be in a hurry to make a relationship when the proof is lacking.

Rather create notes and discussions on the matter

 

if you do make a connection that is not supported by much real evidence. You may just be helping a blatantly wrong connection propagate across the Internet like wildfire.

 

Remember that whatever you update here in FamilySearch - can and does affect other users - one major reason - it is one single massive database and not a collection of many "user databases" - we are all working together on the same family tree.

User1585602890618439358

Thank you!​

Colin Ramsbottom

It's a while since you asked this question, but here is an article that gives tips on whether the record is actually a duplicate record or if it relates to someone different to the person in your family lines:

https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/how-do-i-decide-if-two-records-in-family-tree-are-about-the-same-person