I don't want to do work twice.
I am very frustrated with this site. I made my Dad a FamilySearch account, but could not figure out how to link our accounts, so we can work on the same tree. Then I looked into GEDCOM files, but FamilySearch will not let me make a GEDCOM file that I can send my Dad. It seems like the only way is to manually enter names and information until you reach a dead person that has already been entered.
There has to be a better way than this. Any ideas?
Best Answers
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You are correct Christopher.
Because FamilySearch is one big tree, to keep living peoples information private 'the names of your living family members are added in each person's part of the tree to get back to the living person.
Yes if you are inputting information into your father's family line you will have to add the living people again.
You will find that they will have different IDs and will not be searchable.
If you wanted to send your father a GEDCOM you could use one of the free genealogical programs from our solutions gallery that are compatible with FamilySearch and download you names from FamilySearch Family Tree into that and then create the GEDCOM. Your father could then use one of those programs and upload the GEDCOM into it.
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Christopher
FYI
'Yes'.
There is NO ability, in 'FamilySearch', to "Export", one's "Ancestral" Lines in "Family Tree", to a GEDCOM File.
And, there is good reason for such ...
There WAS (ie. used to be) a facility/function/feature to "Download" one's "Ancestral" Lines in "Family Tree", to (if I remember correctly) a GEDCOM File; but, that DIED many Years ago. As, such was too MUCH of a 'strain' on the "System" (ie. It used to 'cripple' the "System"). I remember, I tried once, many Years ago, after some x6 to x8 Hours, some 2,000,000 (could have been much more), individuals/persons; couples; and, families, the "Download", literally, 'Fell-Over', 'Died', never to resurrected.
Enabling Users/Patrons to "Download" their "Ancestral" Lines in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch' would STILL, even these days, 'cripple' the "System" - even more so, if it was done, 'on mass'.
Hence, WHY there are, the INTERFACES, between "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'; and, the various, "Third Party" (ie. those "Family Tree Management") Applications, that are "Certified" to work with "Family Tree"; where, such can be effected.
Now ...
That Said ...
Conversely ...
I really wish 'FamilySearch' would ...
Just STOP allowing the "Upload" of GEDCOM Files into "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch' altogether ...
There is just NO need to "Upload" of GEDCOM File into "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch' ...
Under ANY circumstance ... even if one's "ancestral" Lines are NOT already in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.
As I always 'say', to User/Patrons, who mention the "Upload" of GEDCOM File into "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch' ...
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You can; but ...
Please DO NOT Upload a GEDCOM File into "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.
Upload the GEDCOM Files in the "Genealogies" Part of 'FamilySearch', that is fine; but, please NOT into "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.
Some of the reasons that Users/Patrons (like myself) DO NOT want the ability to upload a GEDCOM File into "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch' are:
(1) It is most likely that individuals/persons in a GEDCOM File are ALREADY in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'; and, most Users/Patrons DO NOT even take the time to look to see if any one in their GEDCOM File is already in "Family Tree", in some instances, negating the need to even upload the GEDCOM File.
(2) There has been (many) cases where Users/Patrons, using the "Compare" process (of the upload) have "Dismissed" a "Possible" Match with an individual/person already in "Family Tree"; so that, their "Record", from their GEDCOM File, is loaded into "Family Tree", regardless; just so that, their "Record" appears in "Family Tree" (and, in some instances, for Members of the Church, so they can do the "Temple" Work, despite the fact that the "Temple" Work is ALREADY done with the "Possible" Match with the individual/person already in "Family Tree").
(3) Even with the "Compare" process (of the upload), there has been (many) cases where Users/Patrons have uploaded THEIR version of an individual/person in their GEDCOM File, on top of (ie. Over) an individual/person ALREADY in "Family Tree" of "FamilySearch" that has been there for MANY years and is well documented and "Sources" - in many instances obliterating all of the documentation and "Sources".
(4) If an individual/person is ALREADY in "Family Tree" of "FamilySearch", there is NO need to up uploaded one's version of an individual/person from one's own GEDCOM File - just take note of the the 'FamilySearch Person Identifier' (PID) of the individual/person that is ALREADY in "Family Tree"; and, one can go back later to ensure what information/detail is recorded and attached for that individual/person. Just DO NOT uploaded one's version of an individual/person in their GEDCOM File, on top of (ie. Over) an individual/person ALREADY in "Family Tree" - obliterating all of the documentation and "Sources" ALREADY in place/on record.
(5) The "Hours" (sometimes "Days"; or, even, "Weekes") of work, by other Users/Patrons, that can be needed to CORRECT the DAMAGE done by the upload of a GEDCOM File can be disheartening.
I am sorry ... 'off my soap box' ...
Enter (ie. 'Create') the individuals/persons in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch' one at a time - on a one by one basis.
Many of the individuals/persons in a GEDCOM File, most probably, ALREADY exist in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.
Only one or two generations of the "Living" individuals/persons; and, perhaps, maybe, only one or two generations of the "Deceased" individuals/persons, may be required to be entered/input into "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch"; BEFORE, some of the "Deceased" individuals/persons, from one's Ancestral Lines, ALREADY existing in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch', are discovered.
Use the "Find" facility/function/feature to Search "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch', one may be surprised to find some (if not, many) of them already there.
Many well established and documented (eg. "Sourced") individuals/person in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch' have been RUINED, by the upload, a GEDCOM File, into "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.
I hope this puts things into perspective.
[ Many of us have experienced the pain and problems associated such ... ]
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I hope that this give you some, background; and, perspective.
Brett
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Answers
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Christopher
It is 'Brett' again.
I responded, in you FIRST (recent) post, in this "Community.FamilySearch" Forum.
FYI
For starters ...
Here an old 'standby' of mine, that I have previously proffered on occasion ...
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Most new (and, some old) Users/Patrons DO NOT understand the basic 'nature' and 'premise' of "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch', when they join in.
Please let me explain ...
[ And, please bear with me; as, I am VERY 'Verbose' ... that is my 'style' ... ]
We do not have our OWN "Tree" in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.
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'.
"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).
We DO NOT have "Private"/"Personal" 'Trees' in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch' like other 'On-Line' "Websites"; and/or, 'standalone' personal (computer) programmes.
We do not even, own; or, manage; and, are NOT even responsible for, the "Deceased" individuals/persons in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.
And, most importantly ...
We DO NOT even, own; or, manage; and, are NOT even responsible for, Our OWN "Deceased" Ancestors/Family/Relatives in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.
"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'.
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".
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".
No other User/Patron can see ANY "Living" individuals/persons that were created by another User/Patron; as, they ONLY reside in the "Private Spaces" of the User/Patron who created them.
We CANNOT even see the ACTUAL Record in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch' of our IMMEDIATE Family (eg. Spouse; Children; Parents; Siblings; ETC; Etc; etc) if they are "Living"; and, they have their own 'FamilySearch' Account.
Of course, you can create your "Living" Family members; and, record them in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'; but, they will ONLY be seen by you:
▬ You cannot "Share" them with any other User/Patron.
▬ You cannot "Merge"/'Combine" them with any other "Living" individual/person residing in the "Private Spaces" of another User//Patron.
There is CURRENTLY no mechanism in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch' for Users/Patrons, to "Share"; or, "give permission" to "Share", the "Living" individuals/persons in their own "Private Spaces" with/between other/another User(s)/Patron(s).
There are a myriad of "Privacy" Laws within the many various Countries and Unions throughout the World - it is a nightmare to negotiate.
"Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch' is used in many Countries and Unions throughout the World; and, as such, must adhere to the myriad of "Privacy" Laws throughout the World.
Hence, "Privacy" is one of the reasons that we cannot "Share" the "Living" individuals/persons in our own "Private Spaces" - it is NOT the ONLY reason; but, certainly has a bearing on the matter.
Another factor is that such would have to be 'Coded'/'Programmed' into the Programme that is "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.
'Yes', these "Living" individuals/person in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch' WILL, in fact, in many (most) cases will be "Duplicated" - unfortunately a necessary situation that currently cannot be avoided.
I know that there are "Duplicates" of the "Living" ME - at least, one for my Wife and each of our Children, not to mention my other ("Living") extended Family members.
Here are some "Knowledge Articles" in 'FamilySearch' in regard to "Private Spaces" and "Living" individuals/persons:
Who can see my living relatives in Family Tree?
https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/who-can-see-my-living-relatives-in-family-tree
How does Family Tree protect the privacy of living people?
https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/what-is-a-private-space-in-family-tree
What Family Tree features are available in my private space?
Can my living relatives share a Family Tree private space to work together?
https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/share-a-family-tree-private-space-with-family
Can I transfer my Family Tree private space to another user?
Here is a good place to start, with how things work in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch' (and, other programmes as well):
Overview
'FamilySearch'
"Family Tree"
https://www.familysearch.org/tree/overview
Getting Started with Family History
Here are the main things you need to know as you get started
https://www.familysearch.org/home/etb_gettingstarted
How to Use the Family Tree
https://www.familysearch.org/blog/en/how-to-use-family-tree/
What is The Family History Guide?
https://media.familysearch.org/what-is-the-family-history-guide/
The Family History Guide
Introduction
About The Family History Guide
https://www.thefhguide.com/introduction.html
The Family History Guide
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I hope this might help, somewhat
Brett
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Christopher
Furthermore ...
For "Living" Users/Patrons, just like "Living" individuals/persons, we HAVE to "Create" a ("Living") DUPLIACTE of them in OUR own respective 'FamilySearch' Accounts, in other words within our respective "Ancestral" Lines in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch'.
And ...
That said ...
'Yes' ... they WILL be DUPLIACTES ... but, that is O.K.; and, a necessary feature for "Privacy".
Basically ...
You; and your ("Living") Family members (and, extended Family) have to "Build" a "Bridge" of the "Living" individuals/persons (As "Living" DUPLICATES) that connect/link you together, in your respective 'FamilySearch' Accounts ...
Once, you and your ("Living") Family members (and, extended Family) have ALL "Built" that "Bridge" of the "Living" (individuals/persons) that connect/link you ALL together (As "Living" DUPLICATES); then, when you ALL come to your FIRST Common "Deceased" Ancestor, your "Ancestral" Lines will connect/link together into one ...
Just my take ...
Brett
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Thanks. Its nuts that they had a useful feature (GEDCOM files) but removed them because they did not have "references."
When someone dies, I guess all there work is lost.
For how good some parts of this site are, other parts are comically (tragically?) awful.
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When someone dies you add their deathdate and your data is still there/
If the deathdate is added to other people living records they will come up as duplicates and you just merge them, still don't loose your data.
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There is no requirement that every contributor here must add all their living family in their private tree space. And there is more than enough work still to be done in the public tree space on deceased persons.
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