Tips & Tricks for merging duplicate family groups or multiple people in a record
Hello all, Do you have any hints or tips on merging family members who are duplicates? It seems that around 2012-2015 FamilySearch created a person ID for each person mentioned in each record for a village that I am researching. For example, if there are 5 children in the family, there are 5 fathers that must be merged and 5 mothers that must be merged (and sometime more of each because of birth AND christening records). Is there any way to do the merge as a group or batched in someway? Doing it one by one I always seem to miss one piece that leads to problems like a weird display in the descendency or in attaching records that's hard to hunt down. Any suggestions beyond the options in the right hand menus (possible duplicates & merge by ID) that I'm currently utilizing would be great! Thanks.
Best Answers
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@Emily Magazzi
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Emily
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Answers:
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There are NO "Hints" or "Tricks" ...
I am sorry ...
It is ALL just, hard work; and, thorough Research ...
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There is NO way to "Merge"/"Combine" as a 'Group'; or, "Batched".
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The ONLY proper way is, one at a time, one by one ...
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'Yes', hard work ...
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I know that this does not help.
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Brett
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Of course, you can get help from "Family History Centres" of the Church (when they are open again after the "COVID-19" Pandemic).
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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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@Emily Magazzi
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Emily
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'Stay Tuned' to "Family Tree" of "FamilySearch", it is constantly EVOLVING, one day, we maybe able to do it in a 'Group' of "Batch'; but, UNFORTUNATELY, most Users/Patrons have ENOUGH "Trouble" with "Merging"/"Combining", one at a time, one by one - there have been; and, continue to be, so many mistakes.
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I have been at this for well over 50 years (since I was a Child); and, it does not get any easier; but, it is much more FUN now with ALL the MANY Records that are NOW available 'On-Line' ...
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"FamilySearch" is "Changing" the "Source Linker" quite often. There has just been a very recent update/release to that; but, there are still some problems/issues (ie. "Bugs") to work out on that - and, that is still just, one on one.
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A 'Group' of "Batch' job for such, would be SO 'Complex' and 'mind blowing', for the average User/Patron - personally, I hope that "FamilySearch" steers clear of such. Many cannot even get the simple, one on one, right/correct.
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Using the "Source Linker" and "Changing" the "Focus Person" is great for ATTACHING a "Source" to ALL the relevant individuals/persons associated with that "Source"; but, certainly NOT to "Merge"/"Combine".
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You have a good day and keep well too.
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Just keep on, keeping on ... just keep 'chipping away' ...
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DO NOT hesitate to ask "Questions" - All questions are important.
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That is what this "Community.FamilySearch" Forum is all about ... Users/Patrons HELPING Users/Patrons.
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I like to help others; as, others have helped me.
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Brett
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If you are a Member of the Church get help from your local "Temple and Family History Consultants" of your Ward/Branch.
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If you are not a member of the Church; then, as I previously advised, get help from your nearest "Family History Centre" of the Church (when they are open again after the "COVID-19" Pandemic). The Staff Members there will be able to give you some 'pointers' (in the 'right direction'); possibly even, some 'Tips' and 'Tricks'.
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Answers
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Thank you for the quick response, Brett. I can understand why it might have to be this way. I saw a video where someone, it might have been @Carolyn Webber , used the source linker screen and then used the "change focus person" function and that little tidbit changed my world! So I figured I'd ask because there are probably other tricks I don't know about too. Have a good day & be well.
Best, Emily
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Emily, I don't remember sharing a video aobut changing the focus person.
Maybe someone else remembers this and where to find it to share with others?
I do love that people share the tips and tricks that they have learned. Please keep sharing!
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"Doing it one by one I always seem to miss one piece that leads to problems like a weird display in the decadency or in attaching records that's hard to hunt down"
Not sure if this helps, but if you expect things to get complicated, jot down the person ID's and other info.
I get messed up when a father and son have the same name and then the mother ends up marrying the son.
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