How best to correct incorrect merges
I have come across a few families in my tree that appear to be based on incorrect merges e.g. similar names but demonstrably wrong dates, different countries, etc. How do I rewind these incorrect merges?
Some are so entangled that it occurs to me that it might be best (and certainly easier) to just enter new profiles that I know to be correct but then the question arises as to how to detach/unlink the incorrect profiles?
Best Answer
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Mary
Welcome to the "Community.FamilySearch" Forum ...
I am just another 'lowly' User/Patron ...
FYI
Depending on your circumstance ...
I would humbly suggest ...
(1) IF, you are a Member of the Church; THEN, seek the help/assistance of the "Temple and Family History, Consultants", in local your Ward/Branch; or,
Whereas ...
(2) IF, you are not a member of the Church; THEN, seek the help/assistance, from "Staff Members", of a "Family History Centre", of the Church, nearest you.
Here is a feature/function/facility with 'FamilySearch'; where, you can find, the "Family History Centre", of the Church, nearest you.
Just PLEASE, ring/e-mail, in advance, to ensure that, any "Family History Centre", is OPEN and, operating.
[ Some may still be "Closed" (or, operating on a "Restricted" basis), due to the COVID-19 Pandemic ... ]
Find a Family History Center and FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries
https://www.familysearch.org/fhcenters/locations/
As, unfortunately ...
It is not always good, to post the 'FamilySearch Person Identifiers' (PIDs), of those individuals/persons, that you have problems/issues with, in the "Public" nature, of this Forum.
Because, some 'well meaning' Users/Patrons, often, 'overstep the mark', of just helping/assisting ...
As an aside ...
IF, it is all a bit much; and, you need help/assistance; THEN, you may like to avail yourself of the following:
Here is some information and links; where, you can schedule, a FREE 'On-Line' Consultations, through the "Family History Library" (FHL), in "Temple Square", Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
'FamilySearch' "Blog"
Online Genealogy Consultations with Family History Library Experts
'FamilySearch' "Family History Library"
Virtual Genealogy Consultations
https://www.familysearch.org/en/family-history-library/family-history-library-research-consultations
I hope that this might help/assist, somewhat.
Brett
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Answers
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@Williebey Williebey
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FYI
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NOT uncommon ...
Happens ALL the time ...
Many of us have, been there, done that ...
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Just my thoughts ...
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I would NOT suggest "Creating" an NEW individual/person ...
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DO NOT compound the problem/issue, by creating another individual/person, to add to the 'Mix'.
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It is a matter of doing your "Due Diligence", taking the time, persevering; and, "Untangling", the mess/nightmare.
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Been there, done that ... MANY times ...
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Once it took Two (x2) SOLID Weeks, to "Untangle" Two (x2) DIFFRENT Families, with the identical and same Names, both, from the same locality.
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You NEED to examine the "ChangeLogs" of ALL those concerned.
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Work out WHAT is WHAT.
Know HOW each individual/person was BEFORE any "Merges"/"Combines".
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I usually have MULTIPLE 'Tabs'/'Windows' OPEN to "Compare" ...
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Then, when you have the FULL Picture ...
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Where you can, depending on the situation/circumstance, either, "Restore"; or, "Unmerge".
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Once they ALL are separate ...
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Then decide HOW to, either, "Merge"/"Combine" them; or, NOT.
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It is a SLOW Process ... NOT for the 'Faint Hearted' ...
You NEED experience with "Merging"/"Combining" ...
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As 'FamilySearch' has previously proffered ...
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"Merging [ and, "Unmerging"; and, subsequently, "Remerging", if necessary ] is a complex process in which you decide if two people are the same person. If they are, you choose which information should be kept. Please take the time necessary to carefully review each possible duplicate."
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Again, just my thoughts.
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Brett
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When you have a group of incorrect merges, I start by reviewing the entire change log to see who the person was in the beginning of their creation. I will undo many merges (keeping track of ID numbers) and then review their change histories after both before and after unmerged. Then I make sure i have as best I can the oldest or most established separate people. I move wives and children as needed, I then move sources to the correct people to help define them and then I begin remerging any profiles that need to be combined. It is a long careful process and it is best not to just create new because honestly that can just add to the mess of more people when you are trying to create fewer. Not to mention there are relationships which involve children and wives that are best to maintain as sources may already be attached to them. Hope that helps
Cindy
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I have messaged contributors effected by the incorrect mergers with no acceptable responses. It is beyond frustrating!!! I am not savvy in technology. There must be simpler ways to disentangle this…now my great great grandparents have been merged.
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@Mary HelenShumate if you would like someone to look at the pages and suggest how to proceed with detangling, you can share the person IDs here.
If you are wondering what ID: https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/article/what-are-id-numbers-used-for-in-family-tree
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