Merging records

Shelley2396

I tried to add a spouse to my grandad's record but the name didn't find any records so I created a new record for my grandma. However, if I do a separate search for my grandma, I can now find her record (I know it's the correct one as the sibling names are correct). I've tried to add this one to my tree, effectively overwriting the record I have created but all I seem to be able to do is to attach the records. My tree is still showing the record I created but I'd like to be able to get rid of this and add the record that is within Family Search as this includes parents and siblings as well - some of which I don't know otherwise.

How do I do this? Thanks for any help.

Áine Ní Donnghaile

@Shelley2396

Good morning. You can find Help Articles for the FamilySearch Family Tree on almost any subject in the Help and Learning Center. Merging duplicate profiles: https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/article/how-do-i-merge-possible-duplicates-in-family-tree

It may help to learn some of the terminology used by FamilySearch. A record is mostly used for a vital record (birth, marriage, death, divorce) while a person in the tree (such as your grandmother) is referred to as a profile. Searching on the terms used by FamilySearch should make it easier for you to find the instructions you need.

Good luck with the work!

Maile L

Mod note: This discussion was moved from General Question to the Family Tree category.

Shelley2396

https://community.familysearch.org/en/discussion/comment/550794#Comment_550794

Thanks for the help. I'm only just starting out on this so all the terminology is new to me 😊

I've had a look at the merge help but it doesn't really help as the two profiles that I've got aren't showing as duplicates and so I'm not able to merge them - merely attach them, and my tree is still showing the profile that I've created, rather than the one that is already on Family Search.

Thanks anyway - I know I've got a lot to learn whilst doing this!

Áine Ní Donnghaile

If 2 profiles are not showing as duplicates, @Shelley2396, you can use the Merge by ID feature, in the Tools box down the right side.

Shelley2396

Thanks for this. I think where I'm going wrong is that the profile I've found is actually on Find My Past, rather than within Family Search itself. I need to add her to Family Search and then I think I can go from there.

Thanks for your help, as I said I'm new to all this and this was the first person I'd come across where there was a problem. I'm sure it won't be the last though!

Thanks for the help - it was useful to provide some background information to a complete newbie!

Maile L

@Shelley2396 You may be interested in our Learning Resources.

https://www.familysearch.org/en/fieldops/familysearch-center-workers-and-volunteers-learning-resources