www.familysearch.org
How to keep certain portions of your own personal research pure and pristine - even within the collaborative nature of the FamilySearch system - a discussion going forward.
(a prior post I think worth re-posting)
- How many of you have years of research that you want to upload to FamilySearch (FS) but dont want to see it get overlaid, mangled, undone by other researchers in FS?
- How many of you see various benefits of FS - but get totally frustrated with being able to keep your research pure and in the state that you compiled it?
- How many of you have spent years correcting errors and stamping out myths and flaws and want to ensure that generations going forward can benefit from you research and not have to reinvent the wheel that is your years of research?
- How many of you struggle with a given ancestor - who often gets erroneously merged with someone else with the same name and similar characteristics?
- How many of you have plenty of tidbits of family treasures that you want to share with others - but not sure how in a way that they stay exactly as you compiled them?
- . . . and the list of similar questions goes on and on
All so often in dealing with the questions above - people really struggle with the "collaborative approach to online family search research - and all too often just throw up their arms and say FS isn't for them - and we in turn lose a treasure of years of research because of this.
I will try to explain how many of us that are in this situation can upload items to FS
in ways that our research stay clean, pristine, and unadulterated, and just as we compiled it.
Note that although many items in FamilySearch can be overlaid by another researcher - such as facts and relationship.
Certain areas of FS are never overlaid or modified by others. One example is that of FS Memories.
We can leverage this fact as far as keeping our own research "encapsulated", "protected", and under our own control.
Here are some items you may wish to consider in uploading your research to FS.
1) For any person that you are really focusing on, or for which you will be uploading item - do a "Watch" on such record
so that you can be made aware of any changes to that person. then you will be able to contact and work with others on the research for that person
as well as being in the loop when potentially wrong information is updated.
2) If you have done extensive research on a person/family - consider uploading it in ways that you retain control of
such as:
A Family Group sheet in PDF format - with notes and sources uploaded as a memory
example: https://www.familysearch.org/photos/artifacts/105877783?cid=mem_copy
example: https://www.familysearch.org/photos/artifacts/105877782?cid=mem_copy
A Pedigree chart showing the relationships you know to be correct:
example: https://www.familysearch.org/photos/artifacts/105877784?cid=mem_copy
A descendants chart showing the descendants
example:
https://www.familysearch.org/photos/artifacts/105877785?cid=mem_copy
3) Upload information summarizing common errors or mistakes that seem to keep propagating
example: https://www.familysearch.org/photos/artifacts/105655030?cid=mem_copy
4) Upload information concerning multiple people that are often confused with each other - showing how they can be differentiated
example: https://www.familysearch.org/photos/artifacts/105879673?cid=mem_copy
5) Upload information concerning Family MYTHS and legends that are not true and your analysis of them
example: https://www.familysearch.org/photos/artifacts/105655009?cid=mem_copy
6) Upload any research you have done with erroneous family connections and intermarriages that just didn't exist - based on your research
example: https://www.familysearch.org/photos/artifacts/105655121?cid=mem_copy
7) Upload Family Stories and Letters that you may have that help document the family
example: https://www.familysearch.org/photos/gallery/album/531032
8) Upload labeled Family Photos
example: https://www.familysearch.org/photos/gallery/album/510213
9) Upload original documents like
Death Certificates, Probate Records, Newspaper articles:
example: https://www.familysearch.org/photos/gallery/album/654021
10) Upload Obituaries and biographies
example: https://www.familysearch.org/photos/gallery/album/572382
11) Upload collection of old Family group Sheets
example: https://www.familysearch.org/photos/gallery/album/516319
12) Upload scans of entire genealogy books (if they are in the public domain)
https://www.familysearch.org/photos/gallery/album/530750
13) Upload recorded family histories
example: https://www.familysearch.org/photos/artifacts/53113803?cid=mem_copy
14) Upload the research of other family members who are now deceased:
example: https://www.familysearch.org/photos/gallery/album/593848
15) Upload Family Compilations and Reports that were produced in powerpoint, Publisher, Word etc.
example: https://www.familysearch.org/photos/gallery/album/530750
!! EACH one of these items are things that I can upload - and still retain 100% control of !!
and in the profile record for any associated person - in the notes or life sketch - I can point people at these examples of my research and tell them why I think "so and so" is true or false - based on the research.
Please USE FS Memories to your advantage!!! and SHARE your research with others - especially those of generations to come.
and do so in a way that you dont have to worry about others overlaying, mangling, wreaking havoc on - your research.
some other past posts that are related: that are well worth the read
https://community.familysearch.org/s/feed/0D53A00004tE0lXSAS
https://community.familysearch.org/s/feed/0D53A00004tEO8lSAG
https://community.familysearch.org/s/feed/0D53A00004sm2vhSAA
@Southern States Family History Research
@Germany Genealogy Research
@FamilySearch Tips and Tricks
@Family History Research
@Ancestor Treasures
@Yancey/Yancy Family Genealogy
@Nanney Family Genealogy
@Kavanaugh Family Genealogy
@Nuckolls Family Genealogy
@Georgia Family History Research
@South Carolina Genealogy
@Virginia Genealogy Research
@General Questions
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Dennis, I love what you posted. Like many others I too have gotten frustrated when I see my ancestors changed. I do follow my direct line, but not all the collateral lines. I've spent hundreds of hours undoing information and have many times wondered how can I keep it intact? I've spent over 35 years doing the hard research of going to counties, getting family histories and then sometimes see it's been changed. I do use your suggestion of contacting the person who has made the change and most of the time it's very productive. Only a few with no response. I like what you say about adding my information into memories and need to get better about posting them. I keep of separate file of what I know to be correct and don't change it without sources and documentation. I appreciate all your great ideas!
Carol
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thank you for speaking up about the Elephant in the room’ I guess this problem is one of the unintended consequences of having an open door to Family Research - which is always a good thing. All of the above suggestions seem like a lot of work and although they may be a path to anchor sources and provide FS with a more robust database - its a lot and very time- consuming
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Amazing work, Dennis. Thank you for sharing this with us. I have bookmarked this post for future reference!
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Thank you Dennis. I will be sharing this with other genealogists that I know who have been reluctant to use Familysearch family tree.
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it is much more time consuming if you have to rework items you already submitted.
most of the things that I suggested are things we should be doing anyway - independent of what anyone else is doing
(preserving the records we have)
YES it is time consuming - - but well worth the effort - - and much less time consuming then if we allow our work to be overlaid and mangled by others,
what specifically did you feel was time consuming? genealogy work is time consuming by nature - so we may as well do it in a way that keeps it preserved in the way it ws usbmitted.
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for anyone reluctant to use FS
I highly recommend watching this video:
WHY USE FAMILYSEARCH FAMILYTREE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwRSRZ9amlM0 -
I would use this in the cases that get changed a lot, thank you.
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I remember a case where I had a John and Jane Smith in England, with about 50 children who had been added over the years. With the posting of more and more British census records over the years it has become easier to deconflict similar families. I started with the census records, and found four John and Jane Smith families in the same area (different parishes in the same larger city and outlying areas), mapped the families out, noted where the christenings were in the same churches and different churches, and did what I think was a decent job of deconflicting the families. Only one of the lines was my direct line, and I have not found whether the others were collateral lines yet. Once I deconflicted the families to the best of my ability, I wrote up each family in a collective narrative explaining that these were different families, made sure all the families were in shared Familysearch tree with all members sources, and followed lines as far to the present as I could. Then, I posted this collective narrative to each John and Jane Smith's notes so that others could be aware of the similar families. So far, these families appear to remain deconflicted. Since that time, I have done this for other families that have same names as my family names who are collocated in time and location. For those who do not follow lines that are not their direct ancestors, and those who are hesitant to work on collateral lines, I suggest that some work like this to help separate families stay separated is useful. In my own research I label these as "orphan" families, that is, families whose direct descendants do not appear to be doing current research. I do not usually submit these names for temple work but they are in the system for someone else to find when a descendant links up to them. I find that notes and collaborative comments are useful for the work. I also add memories to unrelated people when I find them - cemetary links, military records and pictures or newspaper articles about the individuals. I have found this useful in keeping families deconflicted and personally rewarding as I add records and memories to the grand tree. I hope that I do not offend anyone else who is working on some lines and wonders why someone seemingly unrelated to their ancestor is 'messing' in their ancestoral lineage and remain open to corrections on the research I have done.
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true
but many of these points - are things we should be doing with all the members of our family tree.
just ways of ensuring that there history is preserved.
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I do the same thing. I also worry about offending someone. I've just had so many unrelated people merged into my own family I want to make it easier for others and prevent it from happening again.
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This goes under the heading of "why didn't I think of that." Some absolutely useful, common sense ideas. Thanks Dennis.
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Thanks! Especially for the examples of the uploads! Now if we just had a way of directing others to the Memories so they would read them!
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I find I have to be cautious about third party programs finding and merging ancestors, including the merges that FamilySearch itself suggests. I'm finding many bad changes that were made that way. I watch my files and contact anyone who has different data. We usually work it out. There are lots of doppelgangers, people who look like the same person, out there, and they can fool all of us from time to time. Using FamilySearch Memories is a great suggestion. I just completed going through my file a name at a time and it took three years. I'm now going through selected files to check my work, and many have been changed again. It's an ongoing process.
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place a comment in the bio section of the record letting people know of the memories items.
also take a look at who has made updates to the record - and let them know also.
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I agree that memories are a great thing and use them regularly. However, I am always a fan of presenting as a comprehensive view of something as possible. Here are some additional points to consider:
- There is no guarantee going forward that Memories will never be changeable by anyone but you--even though that is currently the case. Already there are many, many memories in Family Tree that are incorrectly attached to the wrong individual or that contain false data. Communicating with those who attached these memories is usually a fruitless exercise--if the records are to be accurate, eventually memories will have be editable by someone other than the initial poster, or:
- Memories can be removed from the overall tree simply by replacing the profile in question. While your memories will still be technically present in the system, few to none will ever see them because they have been buried in a purposefully orphaned profile. Replacing the profile is a solution some use when they cannot get a response from the poster of the memory, and yet feel a need to have accurate data represented in FamilySearch.
None of this is to say Memories shouldn't be used. But do consider that Memories may not be the best way to preserve your family history long-term (i.e., future generations). What FamilySearch does today may not be what they do tomorrow. System rules change, personal websites become defunct, online trees are buried in obscurity, and families lose interest in and then lose family data files.
The one form of family history that I have seen actually stand the test of time is published books--even poorly researched published family histories from over 100 years ago are still accessible today, easily findable via searches, and they read exactly the same as they did when they were first published.
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Oh Yes, it's an ongoing process. I do see people combining people from different locations just because they have the same names. I certainly agree with Dennis Yancey about inputting information into Memories. Many times the duplications that are suggested could not be, but we just have to be careful on looking at the sources before merging them. Does the merge make sense? If not, it's not a good idea to combine them. We can't control what other's do, but we can continue to contact them and figure out why they made changes. No, we won't always get a reply but that in itself tells us something.
I do see why people can get confused in certain areas and think they are are doing the right thing. In my own family there are many kids with the same names from the same location. It took me a long time to figure who belonged to who, so I need to be understanding of others trying to also figure this out. I'm here to help and learn patience. I was once where other researchers are at now. so we all need to work together (frustrations and all).
Carol
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Thank you for sharing that. Definitely some things I will try to get in habit of doing.
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Yes those books do read exactly as they were written
INCLUDING all thousands of erroneously transcribed dates and places (and usually without any source citations) - and no way to correct them - the book was outdated and in error even before it got off the press.
and all so often these are the books that drive the never ending replication and wildefire of erroneous info in todays world.
see: http://yanceyfamilygenealogy.org/jenna_vera.htm
Thats one reason I have never published a book - because it would be outdated even before I published it - and no way for me to change it.
I am grateful that I can make changes and correct errors in FS
and truthfully I dont ever foresee FS allowing other people to remove or change submitted memories - just goes against all that FS has done so far.
and FS will be here for decades to come - dont worry - FS lives because it is highly subsidized by a source that is committed to it for decades and centuries ahead
totally different than business and web sites that are here today and gone tomorrow due to mainly financial changes.
FS profiles can experience some of the issues that you allude to
I place "watches" on many of the profile records - to watch for that
but a true creation and replace is rare - I have only seen it in the thousands of of records I connect to in only a rare handful of cases
merges are much more common - but in a merge no memories are lost.
FS FT is a work in progress and will be for decades to come - I am glad that millions of people are working together - on a database that reaches beyond a million records.
SO WAY Far beyond the capacity of any one book or any one researcher
This video below discusses some of the reasons I choose the web site - far beyond books, websites and personal compilations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwRSRZ9amlM
it can be a success when we all work together and communicate respectfully and tactfully with others also working on the tree
and when we communicate our concerns and sources to others working on the same records.
and it is dedicated to preserve family history for decades, centuries and millenia ahead.
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also
any books that can be published physically
can also be published digitally.
if I had spent my life researching a given family
I would want to share that research with as many fellow researchers as possible.
publishing a physical book - I get it out to a few hundred people and to the people who actually make it to a library and find it in some dark corner of the library.
publishing it digitally I can get it out the entire world - at least anyone who goes looking for it.
millions of times the greater audience than a physical book.
and I can digitally publish it in ways that it is not changed by others - but can be easily changed by me as I correct errors and obtain additional info.
Here are some examples of digitally published books
http://yanceyfamilygenealogy.org/KenShirleyGenealogyBooks/MainPage.pdf
the books on the above site will soon be part of Family Search books
in digital format.
In fact FamilySearch now prefers books in digital format.
and such books can be linked to records in FS FT amd memories.
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"I dont ever foresee FS allowing other people to remove or change submitted memories"
I can respect that opinion but I will reiterate my own. I don't see how they could *not* change this policy--eventually errors have to be corrected, even if the original poster is dead or non-responsive. Eventually, things will get bad enough that many users will call for change--we will want accurate records, or the memories sections will continue to deteriorate until it is a total mess for many profiles. I can't wait until memories are editable so I can correct hundreds of posted errors that currently I can do nothing about--pictures of someone else's headstone, stories about someone else's life, unsupported, undefended facts contradicted by original and primary evidence, and the list goes on.
I cannot see how allowing more editing "goes against all that FS has done so far," when a key achievement they have done so far is allow editing where no editing has been possible in past systems.
The very complaints brought up about books are the things we are going to get if no one else will ever be able to change memories: Incorrect transcriptions, unsourced assertions, and so on leading to torrents of copy/pasted falsehoods. The only exception is that the original poster will be able to edit them until they die or until they lose interest.
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And I thought you said you've never published a book? That's a lot of books--congratulations!
I agree with the sentiment that publishing a book in print format only is a waste of time. I suppose I thought that was obvious--I have never seen anyone do that since the 90s. If anyone actually publishes print-only versions of anything anymore, it won't likely make it even to a dark corner of a library--libraries are shedding books far faster than they are acquiring them. I doubt anyone would know about it until someone scanned a copy and made a digital version.
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Excellent information; thank you for these suggestions! I appreciate those who call me on changes I have made to our ancestors and enjoy sharing the sources I have researched. It is comforting to know that FS Memories are solid; except for profiles that are replaced - I can only hope profile replacement is rare.
Thank you for the options you have given.
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my comments were made about memories
not about the facts and relationships that are currently open for public edit to fix errors.
Of course they have to fix errors - that wasnt the point.
they can do that without touching Memories - except in very rare cases.
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not physical books no.
but yes - digital books that can be updated and corrected as need - not something that is set in stone.
a digital book that can even be uploaded to a FS memory - just as I originally stated.
there have been plenty of genealogy book printed since the 90's - just look on Amazon.
but I dont recommend it. Its a waste of money if you ask me.
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My question...whose memories do you upload these various items to. If a person is merged do those records stay with the person who “came out on top” as a result of the merge? Do you understand what I am asking?
Following is good. I have one ancestor that changes are constantly being made. I gave up trying to correct them. For me at this point, no big deal because he is many generations back. I sent messages, I gave reasons, all to no avail. I have had more success in correcting and sending messages with family members’ changes only a few generations back. I just keep plugging away and as a Temple & Family History Consultant, I work diligently with others to help them understand what to do and not do.
Regardless of any difficulties that occur with Familysearch, I like it very much and have been able to learn so much about my ancestors.
And thank you all for your work and input!
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when two records are merged - the FS Memories from BOTH records are automatically merged into the one merged record - without the user having to take any special action. No memories items are lost in the process.
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Great ideas! I feel that overall I receive much more benefit from FamilySearch, even though there are occasional fires to put out. And I agree with the need to link document and sources, in both standard ways, and in Memories.
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Thanks for the ideas. I already used some but you mentioned several ways I had not thought about.
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Great Ideas
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"Upload information concerning multiple people that are often confused with each other - showing how they can be differentiated"
My English great grandfather lived in Canada during WWI, he was not a soldier, but his same name, same age "twin" lived in England and did go to WWI. People keep sending my great grandfather to war. So, I've done some research on his 'twin' and added the source to him instead. I also make notes of this in collaborate.
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