Stop Messing Up My Family Tree on FamilySearch!!! | RANT + EXPLAIN

[@MaryLouiseEklund]

This is why I don't keep my tree on Family Search because of the constant undocumented changes to my tree. I found I was spending hours unlinking the undocumented claims and trying to train hundreds of newbies that I gave up. I search on family search but I keep my tree private on other sites where I can talk with people and share information before I log on and find hundreds of changes from over 50 people daily with none documented.

[@UtahGal]

Right? LOL however, I keep two. One on Family Search and one on Ancestry, I go into Family Search with the information I have and upload it for others because not everyone has the information I have, and I want to share. THEN I have a clean tree on Ancestry so that I don't loose my mind :-)

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

I find that over time, the changes stick. Over time, as I work with others through messaging them and leaving solid reason statements in the tree, things clean up. In fact, I had a 'mess up' tree that was a headache and a half. A man was adopted by his mother's brother because his biological parents died after he was born. He learned of the biological relationship as an adult and began using that name for the rest of his. The trouble was that the had been married twice and had had several children using the uncle's last name rather than his father's last name. A few children born after the man changed his last name, were recorded with that name. The remaining children chose differently on whether to change to their 'real' last name or the one they've used all of their lives. When I went to check up on my troublesome tree, the families were separated on FamilySearch. After rebuilding them and leaving all the documents, reasons, and the family interview detailing the man's learning his history and subsequent name change, I sent messages to everyone who had split the tree. Many of the individuals had never heard about this siutation. WIth the case presented, they've left everything alone. I'll check in on this troublesome man from time to time, but here's the thing. The case has a better chance of sticking on FamilySearch than with shared trees on ANcestry.com or my desktop because everyone can access it and then have to deal with me when they make changes. I make sure to press the start to 'watch this name' on FamilySearch so I can be engaged. Cleaning up the family tree takes time, but for me it's worth it.

[@roder51]

The FS Family Tree is a mess not to mention the members who write over all the information submitted by others. Could not be bothered and emailing support is nothing but a joke. They're pathetic.

[@chucknelson1079]

My recommendation is to keep your own separate private database on your own computer I use RootsMagic

[@momtosaoirse]

@@UtahGal that's what I do as well

[@Artari]

Aloha it is frustrating... the only time I change it is because the people looking is incorrect and no sources to match. I will ask them also how did they obtain that info . I love learning about my ancestors... mahalo for sharing this

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Aloha right back. Change the FamilySearch family tree when you have relevant information. Don't be afraid to change the tree.

[@Artari]

@@FamilyHistoryFanaticsmahalo for your response... would you happen to have a video of family lineages all the way back to Adam and Eve? Many of my family lineages run back to Royal blood lines, but also back to biblical as well. When I look at the sources there are none and i even have messaged the people who put it up with no response. I am wondering where they are getting this kind of information from. I do believe you can obtain Biblical genealogies from the Holy Bible, but the connection to Royal Connections that is where I am confused and people should not put out false information if there is no hard proof of it....

[@UtahGal]

I so can relate! LOL Someone changed my great grandmothers death date. I had uploaded the actual death certificate, signed by the hospital. and had it linked as a source. There for all to see. But she changed it anyway. She changed it because someone on billion dollar graves had the wrong information. On another family in the 1600's - I researched and uploaded 4 actual sources with full documentations to show the actual family linage, s HOWEVER this poor family is still changed monthly 8 to 15 times. Parents are deleted, children are added and taken away, my whole line was deleted and re-added and deleted. It made no never-mind that I had found the actual documentation in multiple sources to show who was what and where. I now have this line on Ancestry so they can't be messed up and I just follow them on FamilySerch. It is amazing to watch this highly contested family. And it is all centered on one pilgrim who came to America to escape religious percussion but ended up having five wives. Just found your channel. Love it. You all are great. I have subscribed! Been doing Genealogy sense the 80's myself, and I am learning alot from you! Thanks!

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Welcome, Nora. Glad to have you as part of our community. Working together is SO frustrating. In time, we'll work it out. Keep adding those sources!!! We'll keep trying to train everyone else. If you ever have a video suggestion, let us know. Perhaps we can become your "you need to watch this before you do that!" reference channel when dealing with all of those frustrating descendants from the pilgrim. (Devon isn't sure she has American ancestors that far back. Many of hers are German or biological mysteries as her grandmother was adopted. Andy has early American ancestors who have some interesting mix ups on Ancestry and FamilySearch trees.)

[@revans5283]

I'm sick of having Temple work wiped out on ancestors who have been done for over 100 years. Gedcoms are GARBAGE. Restrictions of ANY new information being added for people born before 1700 in the USA are going to have to be put in place. There are very few if any records available now for people who have already been entered. I hate gedcoms and name mining programs.

[@annewandering]

It is not wiped out. My daughter did the work for her father and his father found by dna. His bio family immediately had a fit and went in and deleted the relationship so the temple work does not show. I called Salt Lake and asked about if it was still good. They told me it was done and no need to worry about it even if the relationship was deleted by someone else.

[@charlenemckinney9840]

I agree Ancestry is pretty good.

[@sr2291]

Death cetrtificates are not always accurate.

[@michaeljones1165]

Well said Andy! I know I messed up my own tree a few times. I try to get it corrected back asap.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Any genealogist who thinks they have never messed up their tree is kidding themselves. The key is improving their skills and correcting their mistakes.

[@mom2twinzz]

There is a major issue in mine, someone decided to link my great grandfather to a random person and changed his name. every time I changed it back, they claim the source they have is more accurate than Actual documented source. I finally gave up and changed it to a new person and left notes that the source does not support their conclusion.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Thanks for leaving a comment! I'm sorry to hear your troubles. It is frustrating bit it will get better. The best thing would be to start a new person, as you did. Then break the links between the two men and keep their children and wives separate. Leave sources and notes, again, which you did. It takes time for things to work out, but I know they'll get better. FamilySearch.org is truly the solution to the problem.

[@annelisabethcom]

Now it’s possible to attach the same source to more than one person, though it may trigger a duplicate listing that others might merge into their messed up tree.

[@annelisabethcom]

BTW, do notes show for others? Or would you need to use life sketch?

[@Flash-xz2ze]

I’m 14 and really into genealogy I sometimes stay up so late researching about these stuff lol and every time I talk about it my family could honestly care I would be like HE WAS MARRIED TO HIS WIFES SISTER! and no one cares I found about up to 9 generations on my family tree and although it’s so hard when your grandparents or parents know nothing at all about there family history even my grandparents would say there parents didn’t say anything about there past although I’m 14 I don’t think your young enough to do this kind of stuff it’s really fun for me and gets my mind off stuff my whole family doesn’t talk much about family history No one knows so it takes a while for me to find if it’s the right person or not and sometimes I give up take a break during researching you might get frustrated LOL

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Welcome to the genealogy community. Starting young is great. Instead of asking your parents and grandparents about the past generations, ask them to tell you about the people they knew. Have them show you pictures and documents, and anything that related to the people they liked and didn't like. We both have relatives we wished we'd asked more questions of before they passed away. There's plenty of time to climb the tree, but don't let staying up late keep you from doing well in school. If you run into a situation where you're not sure what to do, send us an email at [e-mail] and we'll see what we can do to help out.

[@Flash-xz2ze]

Family History Fanatics thank you 😊

[@cornerstone403]

Some people ,DO marry their wife's sister. Of course, when the wife sees what's going on she divorces her husband's. I know a lady who married her sisters husband.

[@xochxrry6857]

Same w me I’m 16 I wish more young people did it

[@didntknoicouldchangethis]

You are a rare teenager! Keep up your hard work, maybe in 20 or 30 years, your KIDS will appreciate the effort. I am a big armchair genealogy fanatic, and most people in my family couldn't care less, some connections I have made via my tree, or DNA matches, all make up for disinterested family! And I guess we can't all appreciate family history the same, so don't worry, it's not personal👍

[@louisbertrand1320]

I love this video as it teaches very positive ways to answer a real recurring problem. The best advice: document your information with sources!

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Yep. Document with sources. Did you see this follow up video? Why the One World Tree on Family Search Isn't a Problem kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHSaoYJjotynfrM

[@bigtom1948]

Someone actually changed my fathers information TWICE. This person was so sure that they were right until I asked her if she attended his funeral because I did and I didn't see her. She finally stopped.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

As you've discovered, a little patience is required when working in a collaborative environment. Sources should be our guide.

[@chucknelson1079]

This is still the best idea for a tree yet Minor frustrations but still great gain and leads to a more correct tree and remember it’s not your tree

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Thanks for your feedback. Yep. It's not your tree

[@rachelsill79]

Exactly.

[@psenisen]

I love all these comments and understand how they feel. A very small amount of something can open a wealth of information, documents and pictures that was lost to us for a time. So much has come in on our shared family tree and so exciting. To me it's beyond words. I love Roots tech also. The amount of living relatives signed in were in the hundreds of thousands (I have the last count the day it clised). Also get the same thing when someone changes anything on the tree. Thanks to all of you who are doing a wonderful job in teaching and sharing Family Search..

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Thanks for watching this oldie but goodie.

[@SeanLamb-I-Am]

Okay, so this is an old video that just popped up on my recommendations today. That said.... I'm also an admin on Wikipedia, so I'm used to people coming along after me and editing or removing what I've added. I follow, first and foremost, the guideline presented to all Wikipedia editors: assume good faith. Always assume that the other person is making those edits in good faith, and work with them to improve the resource for everyone.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Thanks for watching this video from our archive. I also greatly appreciate your thoughts on a collaborative environment.

[@joannathesinger770]

Interesting commentary. I have gotten soooo frustrated because people can wipe out YEARS of painstaking research with a keystroke... or assuming what is on the interweb is "true". I'm changing my personal strategy a bit in putting out new information in regards to my own family surname. An amateur genealogist in the 1960's wrote a book with her--now incorrect--theory on how 4 individuals with the same last name all moved together to a locale in the south prior to the Civil War...and then expanded it to include others within several hundred miles to include my 2nd great-grandfather in that fictitious family group. There ended up with 12-16 children in that "expanded family". Never mind that the US census says that this surname is the 82nd most common surname in the United States. It's not exactly Smith or Jones, but it is FAR from rare!!! Twenty years ago, my dad participated in a Y-DNA study by a combined surname organization that largely debunked this falsehood...but the Y-DNA study results have never been published far and wide so people keep finding this falsehood book and think it's "gospel". Even members of my own extended family and they won't let go. What's a person to do? The men that participated in this Y-DNA study have largely passed on (my dad is 95 but still on this side of the veil) without passing on their results. Well...I got my hands on the results, and along with the facts I've gathered, I'm publishing a rebuttal to that initial book in book form. Even if it goes no further than the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, that should do the trick. That's where they find that ding-dong first book anyway!!! Family members will be provided with a copy so that they at least have the corrected information. I'm an INTJ, and as such, super-throrough and methodical. I hate that this has come down to me, but somebody's got to do it, so why not me rather than this myth continuing to perpetuate as truth.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Fixing incorrect genealogy research is a problem. Even Hilary Clinton's great-grandmother got confused with someone else and many trees need to be fixed. There is a way to restore and fix bad merges on FamilySearch. That's covered a bit in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmHEg42Kmtqopbc Be sure to watch those family lines you're most interested in. In fact, you can now label them to 'group them'. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4CziWBoirqjsKM The collaborative nature of FamilySearch is a challenge, but also the solution for the future of trying to build an accurate family tree. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHSaoYJjotynfrM

[@dianaseebode9014]

I've been working on my extended family tree because there are a lot of duplications and errors. I correct the information if I've made a mistake. It bugs me that people are so careless and sloppy with their research!

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Sometimes folks are still learning. Other times, we're dealing with individuals who are working on a line with few to no sources. And finally, some folks don't realize there are other issues (unexpected paternity, mistakes created in the research of the past to name a few).. Patience is the way to work through FamilySearch and those who create or perpetuate errors. We also have to make sure we really have done exhaustive research, whenever possible.

[@angelaj7229]

I've had folk make changes and there are no contact details. The church could control that. I've had folk make changes and not respond to me - also I don't have time to play the game of repeatedly correcting my tree. I keep my tree elsewhere now.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

The idea behind a wiki tree is there is as little authoritarian oversight as possible. Some people don't want to respond, and that's a shame, but no one can force them to respond. Some people get bored and don't look at the tree for months or years. If someone doesn't respond or didn't leave documentation, I have never shied away from making the change and including the documentation.

[@lndianprincess]

I've also had the church change info for my niece giving her a death date, and not documenting who did the change and what source they used to back it up. I've emailed them on two separate occasions asking why and what proof they have for doing so. I've gotten no responses. Needless to say I'm on the search for a site that doesn't give free reign to any and everyone wanting to play guess my ancestors' info.

[@rachelsill79]

It's not your tree you're just 1 leaf on the tree

[@sarahhunter1114]

I’ve been trying to figure out family search recently. I got really excited about getting it together, but reading the comments here is just confirming my fears about it: someone with more experience is going to be angry with me because I screwed something up. I just want to do temple work, but I can’t figure anything out! I am having such trouble understanding the web site, and our ward consultant is really hard to understand. Plus, she yelled at me because of a misunderstanding so now I’m super uncomfortable asking her for anything. All I really want to do is make corrections where there’s missing or duplicate information, so the temple work gets done, and now I’m feeling even more insecure than I was an hour ago😢. You kindly pointed out that we all have to play nicely, but I am super sensitive, and there are too many people that don’t want to “play nice” so I get all freaked out and I remove myself. I don’t know what to do.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Oh my! That's terrible. A few bits of advice. Most folks are playing nice in the sandbox. There are a few grumps, but you'll find that anywhere. Don't let that stop you from getting involved. Your passion for wanting to do family history work is wonderful, but be sure to learn about supporting evidence. If you know something to be true because you or a family member personally witnessed an event or have documents (from a government, church, newspaper) supporting a fact, then add to the family trees, correct mistakes, and merger duplicate information. If you haven't learned about documents used in genealogy, your first step should be to go do indexing (www.familysearch.org/indexing/). That seems counterintuitive when you're trying to do temple work but know this. Indexing powers discoveries, for yourself and others. Every name that is taken to the temple these days and into the future will go there primarily because someone did indexing. So, you are doing temple work and learning how to do genealogy by becoming familiar with the records that you'll use in your work. This is a SURE-FIRE way to gain confidence. It's okay that the handwriting is hard to read at first. With time and patience, you'll get the hang of it. When it's time to climb your tree and find your own names, you'll be able to move forward knowing more about records. Also, learn, learn, learn. Learn about record collections, how to evaluate records, and how to make decisions. We developed the "Research Over My Shoulder" series on KZbin to walk you through the process of making decisions, evaluating records, and building confidence in your own cases. You can also read blogs from LisaLisson.com, listen to podcasts (Generations Cafe is a good one). If there are small or regional conferences (not the mega conference known as RootsTech), attend those. Small conferences are perfect for learning in a more relaxed environment. California Jamboree is a great place to go because they also offer one-on-one training. Check out books from the library or buy eBooks as well. Learn, learn, learn. That's how you're going to build additional confidence. Finally, not all ward family history consultants are made the same. Each has their own skill set (or sadly, lack thereof) and interests. There is nothing that says you have to only use the ward temple and family history consultant in your ward or branch. If distance prohibits you from finding one outside your ward or branch, then check out Facebook groups and ask questions there. There are some for the US Midwest, US South, and for foreign countries. Find other mentors if the one you have easy access isn't agreeable. Don't let the fear of a few mean people stop you from making changes to the FamilySearch Family Tree. Go out there. Make mistakes. Every genealogist. EVERY genealogist has made mistakes. It's part of learning.

[@kennethbranscum6891]

I want to do temple work too But if i cant go to the temple because a man stops you from going ..why further it. I like to find cousins

[@bellelise.]

I wouldn't be angry with you. Besides, the only people who are upstt are those like me, who put all their trust & confidence in familysearch (back when it was newfamlytree).... we should've put it into keeping a record of our own family. tree. A tree, is a tree - not a sandbox. This is your own family tree, and these are your people. Your the only one who can stop yourself you knowing them.

[@tierce007]

I accept that someone can add or edit information in your/their tree, but I have now seen over 5 branches of my grandparents trees completely deleted from the database. No indication as to why or even who, but literally 1500 years of tree simply gone from one day to the next. For that reason alone I will not show my tree or refer anyone who's even remotely serious about genealogy to familysearch.org. I'll probably continue to use it as a reference point for myself alone but I'll only regard it as unprofessional and completely inadequate for anything other than a good laugh. If/when I find anything interesting in my tree I screenshot it in sections and otherwise say to my self, "enjoy it now but be prepared to be disappointed at some point, because it's here today and will most likely be gone tomorrow or next week" & I understand that people claim that it's nearly impossible to delete people from the database but I have the screenshots going back 1000 years that now lead to dead ends in the early 1600's.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

1500 years of a tree is a bit much. Depending on your research location, much of that is undocumented and inaccurate. Most family lines only lead to the early 1600s. And, that's one of the reasons FamilySearch is a better platform than folks having their independent trees that contain errors perpetuated from generation to generation.

[@annelisabethcom]

The strength of Familysearch is the sources. I don’t «build my tree» on there. I research multiple families and build their branches from sources, then transfer that info elsewhere. With so many duplicates, there’s bound to be people messing up. Lately it’s possible to attach the same record to multiple profiles, though, so you could build duplicate trees, but maybe have to police them against merging with the messed up tree.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

I only slightly disagree. The power of FamilySearch is the tree and the sources. Yes there are a lot of duplicates but that stems from the original creation of the FamilySearch database for their tree. They had numerous inputs and invited the power of the crowd to help clean up the tree and generate one profile for everyone who ever lived. Every year people clean up more and more of the tree and that's so beneficial for everyone.

[@jparkerwood]

Thanks for the video! I once had to talk to a cousin who had entered incorrect information on our tree. I felt like I did it in a nice way, but I'm not sure how she took it. :)

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Hopefully she is still talking to you.

[@lpshift1339]

Is there a way to STOP people from accessing my tree? Genealogy is VERY time consuming as it is, that after researching information and entering each one individually (because I don't like attaching anyone's tree to mine if I haven't had the chance to verify the information), I don't want to see it disappear!

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

You need to have a private tree on Ancestry.com, not a collaborative tree on FamilySearch.

[@lndianprincess]

You my dear LP have my very same thoughts.

[@roder51]

Rule #1 Don't put your tree and information online.

[@kevincall4641]

My parents told me not to go on other people's online looking at their tree and messing up their tree. I think all people need to do their own genealogy. Not other people's geneology. That's what all prophets of the LDS church told us that we should do our own family history work.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

The General Authorities oversee the current FamilySearch Family Tree project and are pushing the use of the collaborative tree. The number one reason is too much duplicate temple work has been done over the past 100+ years that working on one tree will reduce this time wasting practice. Additionally, there is not 'my tree' or 'your tree', it's our tree. And when we work together on our tree, many more corrections can be made and discoveries found. For instance, Devon knows that her 2nd Great-Grandmother Caroline Mack married Joseph Geiszler and Michael Billman. However, the Billman family didn't realize that Caroline had a husband previous to Michael. They were hitting brick walls until Devon corrected the family tree and explained the situation that their paper trail research didn't lead them to. Now, they know more about their ancestor Caroline, as well as understand why her first two 'Billman" children married under different last names. This couldn't have been done without working on one tree together.

[@DebraB406]

@@FamilyHistoryFanatics Exactly; one person's family tree runs into someone else's. It's all our tree. We all descend from Noah. I've learned a lot of about cousins I knew nothing about because of additons or changes some people have made. Those cousins also, through me contacting them, then learned about me, and learned more information that I had, that they didn't have, just as I had learned information about my family that they knew, and I did not. There's always going to be instances in families where one person or branch goes their own way and there is a falling out, and the two sides continue having their families, generation after generation, and the other side not knowing anything about the other, maybe not even caring. Then a few generations later, someone does care about the other side, and wants to learn more. So by unknown people adding to the tree, we learn new things about the family. Plus, now, if there are any discrepancies or disputes, we can use DNA to attempt to clear things up.

[@rachelsill79]

But your genealogy is other people's genealogy. You didn't spring forth from nothing

[@charlenemckinney9840]

Great advice, nobody is perfect & I agree everyone should definitely try & get along.

[@matteach2]

Great video, I do not have as much patience as you do, however, I may start to reach out to find out why some people do what they do. 1) family search is for one purpose only Malachi 4:5-6. 2) to protect my work I do not provide sources until I am at least 4 generations complete, otherwise someone swipes my sources and messes up my tree due to lack of experience. 3) I don't waste time correcting information, unless I realize someone is very naive and made a gross error then I call them out on it and report abuse. 4) I keep my extended pedigrees beyond 6 generations off of family search. 6) I work on publications that document sources, have maps, screen shots of actual books and primary source information. 7) Even if someone deletes my tree from my relationship I use the Find feature and look up the individual by the file number. By doing so, I don't even have to get angry and I know my relationship to the individual anyway. Face it Family Search is a giant wiki web that anyone can change at any moment. I don't trust it, and I don't trust anyone else's work, especially beyond my 5 or 6 generations. I will collaborate with family members that I can email, or call on the phone with since many of my relatives have JD, MA's and BAs, great researching skills and use common sense.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

We take a different approach. Cite the sources, leave explanations and hope for the best. It's been found that after awhile, as the sources and explanations improve, the tree stays as it should. Devon contacts people all the time, especially when the family tree gets a bit twisted. After she explains her reasons and refers people to the FamilySearch Family Tree, they accept the new knowledge and thank her for it. For the most part, we keep all of our research online as it's an organic process. We keep folks in the most recent generations (and living relatives) as back up but everything else stays on Ancestry and FamilySearch. Devon uses MyHeritage some, but not much.

[@matteach2]

That did not happen to me, I had someone hijack a brand new line that I had researched and because I had left the sources they just "poached" and hastily took it just to get the work done, had inaccurate dates and skipped generations and did not have the right data at all. Novices that thought the knew what they were doing.

[@annewandering]

If you add people that are not quite ready for work to be done, reserve their names till they are ready. That keeps them from being done prematurally.

[@GeneaVlogger]

This is why I like Geni so much as a collaborative tree. They have curators who can lock profiles from being edited when misinformation keeps being added, so you don't have to have an edit war hoping they just lose interest.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

I'm not certain I want people to 'lock' information. THe reason is many times people are wrong. I've been wrong many times in the 20+ years I've done genealogy. But, for those who find they want to control their trees more, Geni or WikiTrees are viable options.

[@GeneaVlogger]

Not anyone can lock information, it has to be an approved volunteer curator (2 month process once applied for) and it is only in case where problems are occurring (edit wars, vandalism, etc). As well, if there is a user who has documentation proving something different than what is in the profile and that information is locked, the user can start a discussion where they explain why it needs to be changed. In my opinion Geni is the most advanced tree-building software available and the tools they offer make collaborating easier than ever. But, to each their own and luckily there are dozens of available programs to fit different needs.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Yep, to each their own. Again, I don't like the locking feature in most cases. FamilySearch does lock some profiles but there is nothing to be done about the duplicate variations of the same person in the tree. Perhaps Geni or WikiTree solves these issues, and that's a plus in their favor. Yet, I still prefer FamilySearch for the majority of beginners to use. Why? Because the fact that they're an extension of the Salt Lake City Family History Library sways a lot of people, regardless of their LDS connection. Geni and WikiTree are too small for most new genealogists to trust. In fact, Ancestry.com erigns in brand recognition, then FamilySearch.

[@jessebarron4956]

Family History Fanatics

[@jessebarron4956]

GeneaVlogge

[@BonnieDragonKat]

Omg! Had this happen before! I have three trees cause of something like this. People want to be related to someone famous and if they share a last name some will just add them. Family Search finally had to delete this person after I sent them proof. Now I check check check.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

I definitely think it's wise to be skeptical with every source.

[@Jimothee1]

This is a funny video. I have noticed that some ancestors on family search tree are "read only." I have the family search iphone app. Family Search sends me sources to attach, and I check them and attach them. But it will not let me attach sources to "read only" ancestors. How does an ancestor come about being "read only?" Perhaps granting more ancestors this "read-only" status may help this situation of people messing up your tree. Also, how do you go about attaching a legitimate source to a "read-only" ancestor?

[@UtahGal]

Hello! I have noticed that only when I use the app on my tablet. Maybe it is a android/iphone thing? You should test this by logging in on a Mac or PC. However, as far as I can tell it never happens when i am on my PC. Bummer, that would be AWESOME, if we could get some family's that are complete to be "read only" except for uploading memories or sources.- anyway just an observation

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

There are some profiles that are locked and you can't change them. You can't add additional sources even when hints are submitted. Double check to ensure this answer is not a 'famous' person with their profiles locked. That is one explanation. If that's not the reason, give FamilySearch help a call. As for the tech specialists and see what they have to say. The volunteer missionaries that handle some issues are lovely, but you might need to get a tech specialists to look at the specific case.

[@malanstecker]

is your black shirt with yellow bird's head a University of Iowa one?

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

It is. We lived in Iowa for seven years and a co-worker gave me the shirt to remember Hawkeye country by.

[@myathehappy_1]

Im having a problem with my Native american ancestors being changed to French. Pees me off.

[@charlenemckinney9840]

Sorry to hear that.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

My advice is to look at who is doing the changes. Send them messages through the FS system. And, see if you can collaborate by sharing information with each other as you figure out the accurate designation. Be open to the idea of being wrong while being patient if the other documentation proves you right but the other user is inaccurate.

[@jasperjones6857]

Someone just changed my sister's info based on a 1940 !! census. They are wrong. (I have never heard of the person who changed this.) If it's a great-great-grandfather, I probably couldn't tell if my info is right or if theirs is.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

So, change it back and include a reason statement of why your information is correct. First hand knowledge is a source as well.

[@ChaiLatte13]

I just think that familysearch's interface is confusing as hell and people don't know what they are doing. I am only here because 23andme now has family tree integration with Familysearch. Sadly my grandmother's tree is a disaster and I don't have the patience to fix it. 🙄

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

That's why there are alternatives; however, the plethora of junk trees on other platforms is not a fun journey either.

[@ruffyy123]

So you found some Black heritage in your White family tree???

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Yes. I have found many folks with the surname Black. Thanks for asking.

[@bjacres7057]

Wow I didn't know you could do that . I wouldn't change their tree. If something is wrong I just email them.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

FamilySearch Family Tree is not someone else's tree. It's our tree. If your ancestor has incorrect information, change it. Just document your changes.

[@ChildePC]

Ive had atleast three serious damages to my family tree by people who arent family. In one case, i had to leave in the notes.... Kathy Putman should never be sealed to my family. Her daughter left it as part of an obituary. She aint related to my brother and sister. She lied. The second one is from a daughter of my sister. The family shes in is gang infested, which now prevents me from doing more. I dont wish to give them an legit links. The third one was adopted out and our family isnt her business.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Sealings of anyone who has passed away in the past 110 years must have approval of direct descendants. Since making this video, FamilySearch is SERIOUS about following up on this. If someone isn't related to someone else, then there needs to be documentation of that fact. Otherwise, how will future genealogists know the truth. Adding documentation is the mark of all quality genealogy research projects. If there is any documentation of an actual relationship, then that must be reflected in a family tree. If someone was adopted out, that doesn't mean they are not part of a family. If they share genetics, then the relationships should show up in the family tree. A collaborative tree, like FamilySearch, attempts to document biological and genealogical relationships, regardless of the interpersonal relationships of the individuals. That's why Same-Sex relationships can also be documented in the family tree. If that is not something you support, then use a platform that allows you to keep your family tree private. That is entirely your decision. However, please note that everyone in a collaborative tree should abide by the same standards as I explained earlier.

[@rachelsill79]

You don't get to decide who is and isn't in your family just because you don't think they are quality people.

[@juliehenthorne2274]

The more I use FamilySearch the more I like it. But this....I believe they do it unconsciously to torture me. Just kidding....LOL. I'm sure people have said similar things about me too.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Ha, ha! Glad you've given the platform time.

[@juliehenthorne2274]

@@FamilyHistoryFanatics I've also talked to more family members than on any other platform.

[@BougieBlue]

People can change your tree? That’s messed up.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Not necessarily. People can also correct your tree and they can correct yours. That's awesome! The power of the crowd.

[@lndianprincess]

It definitely is when the info is wrong.

[@PoGirlShines]

Glad to know that others can access your personal family tree. Not right.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

They have access to all of the dead people in the tree. they don't have access to the living people.

[@PoGirlShines]

@@FamilyHistoryFanatics I'm still saying how would anyone have any access to a tree that is not theirs and be able to change it. Someone could mess with any of them on purpose to mess them up.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Often, when we've worked on a tree that can be edited by others, we discover folks who find new documents and information that we would have never found through 'don't touch my tree' methods. Additionally, we've corrected a lot of errors on other people's trees. Finally, we have discovered that we're not always correct. Folks come and help us sort out the tangles we've made on the branches of our tree. The reason is we're all working together for the common goal. Depending on our certain cultures, I can see where individuals could mess with a tree on purpose, but that's rare and when enough individuals researching a family tree set the 'Watch Individual" feature on FamilySearch, the malicious changes do decrease or end completely (in time).

[@PoGirlShines]

@@FamilyHistoryFanatics I was not aware of all this. I did see other trees that were different than mine. Since everyone has their own tree I would still think it is up to that person to check with others to get correct info. I see a lot of sloppy investigation or work in genealogy simply because anyone can do it and many are not sharp enough to be doing it. I know some that sit down with a glass of wine after work. Never drink and research. From the start I never liked inputting any info that I did not have back up documentation of. This would require traveling to other states and countries which I have no real desire to do right now.

[@rachelsill79]

One person doesn't make a family tree

[@kevincall4641]

Sometimes familysearch tree can be frustrating for all people. Its hard for me and its hard for us when we are working on one shared entire family tree. What should we do when we mess up the family tree? Not play with them and don't talk to people about their business on their changes and corrections on your or their ancestors. Let the people do their research whether its in your family line or not in your family line or whether we are 7th, 8th, or 9th cousins or many generations back to Adam & Eve.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Have you seen this video? kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHSaoYJjotynfrM

[@hs7921]

Same happens on WikiTree

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

It can.

[@kennethbranscum6891]

Yeah well they got me BLOCKED AND IM LDS

[@roder51]

I call that lucky. Sorry but I have lost all faith in this website. The records part is great. The FT itself sucks.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

If that's the case: 1. Contact Support. They should help you learn why you're blocked. 2. Be sure you're following all the rules on FamilySearch. Anyone who doesn't follow them will be blocked. That's all I can recommend.

[@rachelsill79]

I bet you got yourself blocked

[@ellenl.5581]

Turkey. It is hard to tell if you are sarcastic.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Sorry about that. Sometimes I am and sometimes I'm not. Everyone should play nice though!

[@drusillamartin9779]

I am so frustrated! Someone has decided that the mother of one of my ancestors had his birth when she was 83 years old AND Family Search won't let it be deleted.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

You can't delete it. FamilySearch doesn't typically change things, users do. Watch this video to learn more. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2LMYWtugMllh9E If you have a document that shows when your ancestor was born and the age of the mother, make sure that is connected to the FamilySearch family tree.

[@rachelsill79]

I find that very hard to believe. I've been using it for years and I've never found an instance where I couldn't change something. User-generated that's the whole concept. I think you might be mistaken

[@whatabouttheearth]

Why in the hell can someone change your tree? It should be like Ancestry and you have your own tree and they habe their tree. That doesnt make sense. I have their app (which you can loose online) but Im hesitant to sign up. THAT IS A DUMB ALGORITHM

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

The FamilySearch Family Tree is a shared tree. The goal is to have researchers collaborate. To coordinate efforts and work to detangling branches. It's not for everyone, but if you want to learn more about the FamilySearch approach, then watch this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHSaoYJjotynfrM Otherwise, stay with Ancestry. Research where you're comfortable.

[@rachelsill79]

Because it isn't your tree. Through just a leaf on the tree it's everyone's tree

[@whatabouttheearth]

Good way to create bonding through Hatfields and McCoys reenactments 😉

[@cadeosborn5696]

Yo go hawks

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Ha, ha. We're Aggies but lived in Iowa for long enough to get a shirt.

[@truthfinder4973]

i think is is dumb and its dumb for this site to miss up your tree i had to fish mine out outside of this site than a month later 3,000 years of family down the drain i got a better ideal fix it dont let other miss up your tree you cant tell me this cant be fix

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

If you're worried about your tree being messed up, use a third party to save a copy of your tree (i.e. RootsMagic or Legacy Family Tree). In a collaborative tree, you can't 'fix' the joint tree. Many people don't realize that their 3,000 years family links is factually inaccruate and full of errors. When we work together in FamilySearch, we can clean up the mistakes of the past (and present) faster than any other way.

[@elli003]

Correct my tree ? When this happens I immediately look at their tree, often to discover they have little experience. I never accept the burden of proof because once you do, you become the victim of sycophants.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Every genealogist excepts the burden of proof. Nothing should be accepted with out vetting it out. However, if you want to ignore other research, that's fine as well.

[@elli003]

I couldn't agree more about burden of proof of one's own work. My point is beware of the sycophants out there that waste your time baiting you into solving their problems or conforming to their results. They begin their messages with snippy attitudes, and unreasonable demands for you to make changes to your work. A quick study of their tree usually reveals truth. Great subject video ! thks.