Duplicate IDs but same people

PatriciaGriffin6 · January 12, 2022

Hello, I'm still trying to learn how to use the family tree.

When you create a person to add to your Family Tree - does it automatically populate an ID number? It seems that I have an ID number too.

Are these numbers formatted differently when a person is still alive compared to a deceased person?

Is there a way to combine/merge the two IDs into one?

What if one ID has more information attached than the other?

Thanks!

Brett . · January 12, 2022

@PatriciaGriffin6

Patricia

Welcome to the "Community.FamilySearch" Forum.

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

Just in passing ...

Basically ...

For starters ...

'Yes', the "System", AUTOMATICALLY generates, a UNIQUE 'FamilySearch Person Identifier' (PID) [ "xxxx-xxx" ], for EVERY individual/person, "Living"; or. "Deceased", who is "Created", in "Family Tree", of 'FamilySearch'.

Even, Users/Patrons, like you and me ...

But, there is more to it ...

Here is a "Knowledge Articles" in 'FamilySearch':

What are ID numbers used for in Family Tree?

https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/article/what-are-id-numbers-used-for-in-family-tree

I hope, that this helps/assists, somewhat

Brett

Julia Szent-Györgyi · January 12, 2022

Yes, IDs are automatically generated, and no, there is no difference in format for living versus deceased. However, profiles (and therefore IDs) of living people can only be seen by the person who created them, and only profiles with the same status (living versus deceased) can be merged. (Ditto for male versus female.)

When you merge two IDs, either using a "Possible Duplicate" hint under Research Help or the Merge By ID link further down under Tools, you can choose which profile to keep, and you can transfer relationships and conclusions from the other profile. This other profile will be "merge-deleted" at the end of the process, which is really a form of archiving: it will still exist, but it will not show up in most circumstances.

Brett . · January 12, 2022

@PatriciaGriffin6

Patricia

Furthermore ...

"Duplicate" individuals/persons, CAN be "Merged"/"Combined", into ONE "Surviving" individual/person; where, the "Surviving" (Record) individual/person, RETAINS, the 'FamilySearch Person Identifier' (PID), of ONE of the two individuals/persons.

You CAN more easily "Merge"/"Combine" the "Deceased" individuals/persons.

Whereas, for "Living" individuals/persons, you can ONLY "Merge"/"Combine" them, IF they RESIDE, in the "Private Spaces", of YOUR, 'FamilySearch' Account; being, the User/Patron who "Created" them.

ie. You CANNOT "Merge"/"Combine" the "Living" individuals/persons, from ANOTHER Users/Persons Account.

In other words ...

IF, you "Created" a DUPLICATE you, in your 'FamilySearch' Account; THEN, you CAN "Merge"/"Combine", the "Living" DUPLICATES of yourself.

Whereas ...

You CANNOT "Merge"/"Combine", the "Living" DUPLICATES of YOU, that are found in YOUR 'FamilySearch' Account; and, the 'FamilySearch' Account of ANOTHER User/Patron; even, IMMEDIATE Family members.

eg.

I know, that there are DUPLICATES of the "Living" ME - one in my Wife's Account; and, others, in my Children Accounts; plus, OTHER Extended Family member - And, I CANNOT 'see' them. let alone "Merge"/"Combine" them.

I hope, that this also helps/assists, somewhat.

Brett