How do I stop a person showing in my family tree?

Gary28831

My mother was married to a man for a while. I do not want him showing in my family tree, but he comes up as being my mother's husband. How do I break this link so that he does not appear, please? I cannot delete him as he appears to be linked to family tree(s) from his side.

Wayland K Adams

Hi Family Tree is a shared family tree, meaning we all the share the same profile of the deceased people in Family Tree. There are many advantages to the shared concept of Family Tree. But some may consider the fact that you can't customize a profile to your individual wants a disadvantage. For example, you don't want your mother's other husband to show. You can do this by removing the relationship between your mother and this other husband. However, others may want to show that relationship and put it back. In the case where there are multiple spouses, you can mark one of them as preferred. In this case, the relationship will still be there, but the preferred relationship is the one shown on the various pedigree views. Below is a link showing how to set preferred. If you find you still can't accept the shared concept of Family Tree, you could use other programs where you have your own database. Let us know if you have further questions.

Wayland K Adams

here is the link

https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/article/how-do-i-set-the-preferred-spouse-or-parents

Gary28831

Thank you for the advice and link.
What other programs would you be referring to in your first reply, please?

MandyShaw1

You could try a web-based solution with no shared Tree, so Ancestry, MyHeritage or FindMyPast perhaps.

Or, if you want a local program on your computer, see the Solutions Gallery linked at the bottom of the FS home page for ideas (you'd need one of these anyway, if only to get a gedcom file to import into a web solution).

I use RootsMagic, but others here prefer other programs, all depends on the functionality you want.

You'd still be able to keep your other family members' FS Family Tree profiles up to date from any of these local programs, as your research progressed.

Mark McKenzie_1

@Gary28831 Beyond the other platforms mentioned [e.g. Ancestry, et al] FamilySearch is presently experimenting with what is called a CET. Essentially a tree that you build, edit, and if desired have others contribute/edit. The CET will interact the the FamilySearch records/tools just like the FamilyTree. Still 'in the works', but I think that will give you the 'control' you want

sc woz

@Gary28831

To learn about Group Family Trees or CET as it is currently being called go to the Family Group Trees Learning Center. There you can learn about the way it could help, how to set up up a Group Family Tree and just about everything else. This allows you to be the only one who can make changes on your tree (or those you invite); however outside of the tree the information is still open to the members of FamilySearch who can edit the open tree. This is the FamilySearch concept on how you can keep your tree as you want it, and not allow public changes.

MandyShaw1

@sc woz I thought Family Group Trees and CETs were two different things?

Áine Ní Donnghaile

Indeed - 2 different projects.
CET

Group Tree