More than one record for same person -
I am reviewing my family tree and adding sources where applicable, updating children, spouses, etc. I understand a record is created based on how it is recorded. However, if other records have been created for the same person, can I fix it, or do I need to submit it to the group? I had this issue tonight, sent it as a "contact us" problem. Then, I find there are more records out there for this same person. Spelling on a document is different from one to another doc, but both documents are for the same person. I verified spouse, date of birth, date of death, where they lived as they existed during my life.
Answers
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Perhaps the folks in the @FamilySearch Family Tree group could provide an answer to this question. I tagged the group so they will see this.
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@jsin jsin
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Provided that you are referring to "Deceased" individuals/persons in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch' ...
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Short Answer: 'No', technically you DO NOT have submit a request to any 'Group', to "Merge"/"Combine" the ("Deceased") "Duplicate" individuals/persons.
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And, 'Yes', there are MANY "Duplicates" in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'; BOTH, old ones; and, new ones.
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Most of the old ones are remnants from the past ...
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Some of the new ones are often created through the upload of GEDCOM Files in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch', where little, if any, "Comparison" was done against those ALREADY in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch".
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Just remember when you are considering "Merging"/"Combining" ANY ("Deceased") "Duplicate" individuals/persons, you MUST research each one thoroughly to confirm that they are, in fact, "Duplicates" - you would not believe how many people were born around the same time and place; and, have the EXACT same "Name" - it is NOT always clear, until you do all the necessary research - 'the hard yards'.
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Now ...
That said ...
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Let me explain ...
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We do not have our OWN "Tree" in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.
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We ONLY have "Branches" (ie. Ancestral" lines), 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 'On-Line' "Websites" (eg. "Ancestry_com"; or "MyHeritage_com"; or, the like); and/or, 'standalone' personal (computer) programmes (eg, the OLD, now no longer supported, "PAF"; or, "Ancestral Quest"; or, the like).
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We DO NOT have "Private"/"Personal" 'Trees' in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch' like other 'On-Line' "Websites"; and/or, 'standalone' personal (computer) programmes.
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We do not even, own; or, manage; and, are NOT even responsible for, the "Deceased" individuals/persons 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" individuals/persons 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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So ...
That said ...
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Go ahead with "Merging"/"Combining"; but, just do so with care and due diligence ... that is what is required.
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"Merging"/"Combining" is a COMPLEX process, that should not be taken on by the 'faint hearted'.
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Always start with SIMPLE "Merges"/"Combines" first; and, work your way up to the more complex ones.
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We all make mistakes; and, they can be addressed/fixed ... just take care.
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Here are some "Knowledge Articles" in 'FamilySearch':
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How do I decide if two records in Family Tree are about the same person?
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How do I merge possible duplicates in Family Tree?
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I hope this helps.
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Brett
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If you're talking about attaching records and sources to people, you do not need to obtain permission or approval to attach a record. Please feel free to do so as you see fit.
That being said, keep in mind that someone may come along later and find a reason to detach the record. So it's wise to add a note explaining why you attached the record and why you think it belongs to the person it's attached to. (I'm not saying their reason will necessarily be an accurate one. I am guilty of mistakenly attaching and detaching plenty of records, only to discover through subsequent research that the original attachments were correct. I did take care to undo my errors.)
As Brett said, if you discover that duplicate IDs for a person have been created based on various records, you can merge them at any time at your own discretion. Again, you'll want to provide evidence for why the two IDs are the same person, for future researchers.
I hope that helps!
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