Collaboration and data quality improvements across different genealogy sites
I am curious whether any genealogists are collaborating on projects to reconcile differences and improve the accuracy of our common "way back in time" ancestors. I much enjoy seeing my pedigree on Family Search going back, in some cases, tens of generations. But then, comparing that data to various other sites (wikitree, geni, fabpedigree, etc., etc., etc.) I see sometimes massive and obvious differences, errors, etc. These are not linguistic or spelling variants, but large to very large mistakes. Some stuff well and convincingly sourced, and some other stuff ... not so much. Dozens of errors in just an hour's roaming around. Call it my database development background, but I crave one version of the truth instead of three dozen! I could imagine how such a (massive) project might be organized. Just a thought. I will post this same Q on a few other sites and see if I get any nibbles.
Comments
-
Tracy
.
Short Answer: I suggest not.
.
The many 'On-Line' Websites of/for Genealogy/Family History; and, they all work on their OWN basic nature and premise.
.
Some have, many separate "Trees", by individual Users/Patrons ...
Whereas, a few, have ONE 'Single' "Tree" for all ...
.
And ...
.
'Yes', you are CORRECT, there are MANY "Discrepancies" regarding the, individuals/persons; and, "Trees", in the various 'On-Line' Websites - including that of "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch' - NONE are PERFECT, far from it.
.
Not everyone is an "Expert" ...
.
I look through all; and, glean whatever I can; especially, those that are well "Sourced"; and, "Documented".
.
You will NEVER get total consensus ...
.
We Users/patrons from all the 'On-Line' Websites, are ALL individuals, with our own ways; and, preferences - likes and dislikes.
.
Apart from those who like to "Source" and well "Document" their "Research" ...
.
Some Users/Patrons simply go on what has been passed down through the Family 'grapevine', without researching or obtaining the facts and "Sources".
.
Of course, there are some Users/Patrons who like (ie. prefer) to look at Genealogy/Family History through 'rose coloured glasses'.
.
But, you CANNOT 'whitewash' HISTORY, 'it is what it is' ...
.
But ...
That said ...
.
There certainly is some CROSS "Collaboration" between the various 'On-Line' Websites.
.
For example, I have "Collaborated" with (and, in fact, met with) some of the Users/Patrons from OTHER 'On-Line' Websites - and, we have "Helped" each other.
.
But, to be honest, many of are just too "Busy", to even try to "Collaborate" across the various 'On-Line' Websites - some, possibly, most, would not even know how - they have enough trouble getting the work done, in the first place.
.
Some Users/Patrons, from all the 'On-Line' Websites, work in MORE than one 'On-Line" website.
.
Whereas, many, would only work in one site.
.
Just my thoughts.
.
Brett
.
ps: I one work in one website, that being "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.
.
0
