how do i stop strangers from changing data that I have put in?
I have noticed that my mother's details of her place of birth and the year of death had been changed by someone not known by me. I am annoyed about this. I held her hand, I was there as she passed over, on 25/12/95 at 4.30 pm. I also know her place of birth (it was haarlem , as TOLD by my mother) I am also angry that this person changed my mother's names to elizabeth johanna, instead of leaving it as JOHANNA ELIZABETH. I was her daughter in this life and I knew her pretty well.
When I noticed the alterations I was very angry, how dare this stranger, who had no intimate knowledge of her, have the audacity to change those intimate details without even contacting her surviving offspring. 😡🤬
Is there some way that this can be stopped?😤
Best Answer
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What is the purpose of FamilySearch and Family Tree?
The FamilySearch Family Tree is a shared tree. This means that any user can make any change to any deceased person in the Tree. The purpose is to collaborate with your relatives (close and distant) and to build one record for every person that has ever lived. There are not separate trees on FamilySearch. Just one big tree where we all work together to make it the best it can be.
Message the other user and politely ask how they are related to your mother. Perhaps they are a cousin and are going off of the best information that they have. They are not intending to make you angry. Once you reach out and understand their relationship, you can share the information you have with them. They may be thrilled to get to know a living cousin.
You can make changes back to your mother's information and state in the reason statement why you believe the information is correct. Site the sources that you have. If you have the actual documentation of her birth, marriage, death, then upload it to her Memories so that others can see this same information.
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Answers
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Working in a 'shared tree' environment can be challenging and sometimes frustrating. However, FamilySearch has some inbuilt features that you can use to prevent inaccurate changes. Here is an article from the FS Help Centre that gives more details:
In my experience, providing as much 'evidence' as possible for your own research conclusions is the best way of preventing inaccurate changes.... so lots of sources, adding relevant documents and photos to 'Memories', writing life sketches - all those things tend to help.
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I feel your frustration!
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Sonja
Welcome to the "Community,FamilySearch" Forum.
I am just another 'lowly' User/Patron ....
[ And, I am somewhat aware, of your particular situation ... ]
And, further to what has already been proffered ...
Short Answer:
'No', technically there is no way to STOP another User/Patron working along the SAME 'Ancestral" Lines.
But ...
That Said ...
Do not disappear ...
There are some, actions that one can take; and, options available ...
I know you have already been provided with "Knowledge Articles" in 'FamilySearch' (and, other links), this one, being one of them; but, I use it here, to illustrate what, I am try to get across:
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', that comes to the fore ...
How do I report changes or problems made by other contributors?
In particularly, the last sentence in that "Knowledge Article"; which, is very IMPORTANT:
Quote
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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.
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Now ...
All that Said ...
IF, you have undertaken "Collaboration" with the particular User/Patron in question, causing concern; and, that "Collaboration" has FAILED; and, provided that there is NO "Abuse"; THEN, advise of such in HERE in THIS post of yours; and, HOPEFULLY, the "Moderators" [ie. 'FamilySearch' "Support" (Personnel)] HERE in this "Community.FamilySearch" Forum, can TAKE this MATTER directly into the workings of 'FamilySearch' "Support", to help/assist you.
And ...
I would definitely suggest ...
That for "Privacy", keep any MORE 'Posts' here to a minimum, devoid of, "Personal" Information about one's self; the OTHER User/Patron involved; and, even, not providing information about any Ancestors concerned, just a precis of the matter; and, requesting a "Private" communication directly from 'FamilySearch' "Support" (Personnel).
You are not alone ...
Some have ... been then ... done that ... still do.
Good Luck
I hope this helps.
Brett
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I will pass your comments to the person who is already dealing with your concerns about this issue.
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Thanks!
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