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Incorrect Info Input by Same Person

CarolPap
CarolPap ✭
July 28, 2021 edited July 10, 2024 in General Questions

One branch of my family tree has been modified several times by the same person. Usually the info is incorrect. Have tried to contact this person but no response. Can I assume this is someone associated with this branch of the family or is it Family Search making modifications? Thanks.

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Answers

  • Caryl
    Caryl ✭✭
    July 28, 2021

    Hi CarolPap

    Family Search will look for hints as displayed in the Research Help to the right of the person page but it does not make changes to trees. This is probably being done by a family member.

    https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/how-can-i-prevent-other-people-from-making-inaccurate-changes-to-family-tree

    We highly suggest that any changes in the system should have sources and reasons as to why the person/s are making the changes. It is very frustrating that incorrect changes are made to a tree. This is one of the negatives of having a worldwide collaborative tree but the bigger plus is that more people are able to share information using sources and valid reasons.


    Thanks Family Search

    1
  • Paul W
    Paul W ✭✭✭✭✭
    July 29, 2021 edited July 29, 2021

    @CarolPap

    Many of us continue to have a similar experience. Sometimes, a polite message (via one of the direct links for sending an internal message) does have a positive outcome - whether or not the other user directly responds to you. You will find, once they realise these changes are being "monitored", they will stop. However, many users continue with their persistent (often damaging) work - no matter what back-up (sources, notes and reason statements) you have provided and however many times you contact them. I have a few of users, with "shared interests" who make the same changes around every few months. Two apologise each time, saying they will have to be more careful in future, but another just persists with the same changes, without any justification or response.

    Sadly, there seems little else we can do, as long as Family Tree remains "open edit" and FamilySearch continues to leave "resolving" such matters to individual users - being only willing to intervene in the most "extreme" cases. Hopefully, your problems are like most of mine - not taking too long to resolve. Rather more painful are the occasional ones that take two or three days to put right.

    Sorry a more positive response cannot be provided.

    1
  • Brett .
    Brett . ✭✭✭✭✭
    July 29, 2021

    @CarolPap

    Carol

    Welcome to this "Community.FamilySearch" Forum.

    I am just another 'lowly' User/Patron ...

    In answer to your 'Question' ...

    IF, the particular "Contact Name", of the User/Patron, making those "Changes", is NOT that of 'FamilySearch'; THEN, you can assume, that it is NOT 'FamilySearch', making those "Changes"; and, is ANOTHER User/Patron.

    Just my thoughts.

    Brett

    1
  • CarolPap
    CarolPap ✭
    July 29, 2021

    Thanks to everyone. This user almost sounds like a "troll" - will not respond to my repeated requests and continues to modify the family tree with truly incorrect info. Am just beginning to research this side of my family but have trouble believing that a valid family member would continue like this. Again thanks for your input.

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  • Brett .
    Brett . ✭✭✭✭✭
    July 30, 2021 edited July 30, 2021

    @CarolPap

    Carol

    There are some, actions that one can take; and, options available ...

    The first is that aforementioned "Knowledge Article" in 'FamilySearch' proffered by 'Caryl':

    How can I prevent other people from making inaccurate changes to Family Tree?

    https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/how-can-i-prevent-other-people-from-making-inaccurate-changes-to-family-tree

    https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/how-can-i-prevent-other-people-from-making-inaccurate-changes-to-family-tree

    Now ...

    After that ...

    As you can 'see', "Collaboration" needs to be undertaken.

    But, when "Collaboration" FAILS; and, provided that there is NO "Abuse" ...

    Here is another "Knowledge Article" in 'FamilySearch':

    How do I report changes or problems made by other contributors?

    https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/how-do-i-report-changes-or-problems-made-by-other-contributors

    https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/how-do-i-report-changes-or-problems-made-by-other-contributors

    that comes to the fore ...

    In particularly, the last sentence in that "Knowledge Article"; which, is very IMPORTANT:

    Quote

    ------------------

    If you have questions regarding inadvertent, suspicious or potentially malicious errors in records that you are unable to resolve per the instructions above, contact FamilySearch Support.

    ------------------

    Now ...

    All that Said ...

    IF, you have undertaken "Collaboration" with the particular User/Patron in question, causing concern; and, that "Collaboration" has FAILED (eg. NO Response); and, provided that there is NO "Abuse"; THEN, you can, either,

    (1) For a "Private" communication ...

    Contact 'FamilySearch' "Support" DIRECTLY via the,

    (a) Telephone

    (b) an "On-Line" ('Live') "Chat"

    To keep the communication "Private", if you are directed back to this "Community.FamilySearch" Forum, insist that you do not want to do so; and, prefer that the matter be handled "Privately".

    (2) For a communication is "Public" view ...

    'Post' HERE in "Community.FamilySearch" Forum; and, HOPEFULLY, the "Moderators" [ie. 'FamilySearch' "Support" (Personnel)] HERE in this Forum, can TAKE the MATTER directly into the workings of 'FamilySearch' "Support", to help/assist you (BEFORE, other 'well meaning' Users/Patrons get involved).

    IF, you want, keep any 'Post' here to a minimum, devoid of, "Personal" Information about one's self; and, even, not providing information about any Ancestors, just a precis of the matter; and, requesting a "Private" communication directly from 'FamilySearch' "Support" (Personnel).

    I hope that this may also help, somewhat.

    Brett

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