System checking for census duplicate data - prevent adding

LegacyUser

David Townsend Palmer said: Before a user is allowed to add a census source to the target individual's Source page, could the System please check,
- is it duplicate of something already on the Source page?
- is it an entry from the same census, ie 1851 Eng & Wales Census? If so, why does one individual appear twice in the same census?

If one of the above conditions, can the System popup a msg, "Duplicate: Do you really want to add?"

LegacyUser

Cindy Hecker said: It is better to have 2 sources that are the same on a person than not having the source attached. If the duplicate source is not attached than there is a good chance that source will be used to create a duplicate person which is not desired. FamilyTree wants one profile for each person in the tree.

You will definitely find duplicate sources in Marriage records, sometimes 4 or 5 duplicates because of the way records were scanned and indexed. It is right to attach every single one to the person as it is an accurate source, even if it is a duplicate source.

LegacyUser

David Townsend Palmer said: You have missed my point.

The pre-made citations, that users click from FamilySearch and Ancestry are ambiguous.

LegacyUser

Paul said: David

The method by which the England & Wales census records come across from Find My Past is not consistent. In some cases the same URLs are assigned to each source, but in others a completely new set of URLs are created. In the latter case, the "system" just treats the updated records as if they were completely new.

Yes, it is frustrating when the latter case occurs because - as you have experienced - users have then to attach the updated source, too. Sometimes the new version looks identical, but it can also contain either more or less information than the previous one.

The worst problems have occurred when Find My Past have amended the 1851, 1861 and 1881 sets. I have previously requested that FamilySearch should assign somebody to coordinate with an "opposite number" at FMP to minimise the problems when these updates are due to be transferred to FS.

Regarding your remark about one person appearing twice in the same census, this literally does happen occasionally when the census instructions have been ignored. That is, the head of one household includes, say, his lodger as present on the night, but the head of another includes, say, his son or daughter as being overnight at the family home.

LegacyUser

David Townsend Palmer said: Yes, it does happen.., but rarely.

So just popup a message, "the 1851 Census has already been used.., Do you really want to add?"

or some such.

LegacyUser

Brett said: David

NOT a 'rarely' as you would think.
I have come across a number, over the years, on various Census'.

Brett

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LegacyUser

Jessie Hearle said: Currently for FamilySearch sources attached using the indexed historical records/source linker a small pedigree icon indicates that a record is attached to an id. Clicking on the record allows users to see the ID profile.

LegacyUser

David Townsend Palmer said: Yes I understand that.

But do you understand, that the user should not just click, click, done! But rather, think before adding a 2nd entry for the same census. If there is a reason to do so, do it, and perhaps give a note for it.

My 3ggfather was listed twice in the 1851, But it is usually not done.

Surely when the FMP reformatting was done, the fact it came from the 1851 census was kept, and FamilySearch will at least know it was 1851, whether or not the URL changed etc. ? The reformatting surely would not have confused and ambiguated entries between the 1851 and 1861 ?

LegacyUser

Brett said: David

Belatedly ...

Firstly, "Welcome" to this "FamilySearch" ( "GetStaisfaction" ) 'Feedback' Forum.

Secondly, "Official 'FamilySearch' Representatives", do monitor; and, sometimes, participate in, this Forum.

Thirdly, I am just another User/Patron, just like yourself (and, happen to be a Member of the Church).

Many Users/Patrons who regularly participate in this Forum who have a great deal of knowledge and experience with "FamilySearch", like to assist/help other Users/Patrons like yourself.

Finally, personally, I do not have a problem/issue with MORE than ONE "Source" of the SAME record.

I do not understand why some people do.

As far as I am concerned, the 'more the merrier' - but, that is just me.

I like to add as many "Sources" as possible to prove that they really did exist; and, to give them some 'flesh and bones', so to speak.

ALL of the regular participant in the Forum would agree with you that Users/Patrons should NOT just go, 'click'; click; done!

That is another matter ... Training ... Learning ... Education = Experience.

Some (perhaps, many) Members of the Church are not always good genealogists.

Whereas, non-member Users/Patrons (perhaps, many) are good genealogists.

Members of the Church NEED Training and Education when it comes to the "Genealogy" (ie. Family History) part of "Temple and Family History" Work.

Whereas, many non-member Users/Patrons are already good genealogists.

You cannot make a "System" FOOLPROOF; because, fools are so INGENIOUS.

And, the old proverb ... 'You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink'.

As we know, you can give someone the opportunity; but, you cannot force them to take it or do the right thing - no matter how EASY or CLEAR you make it.

Brett

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