Issue 16.13
New.FamilySearch.org was launched to LDS members in 2007 in a slow rollout that took until 2010. There were several challenges and unforeseen problems with new FamilySearch (besides the name). It did not have the ability to correct data errors easily. It lacked meaningful sources to verify genealogical information. Some records are too large to combine creating problems with too many of some ancestors, usually those with many descendants, and no way to combine them. Plus, the public did not get the opportunity to use new.FamilySearch.
Family Tree is a replacement program which contains the same data that was in new.FamilySearch, but you can now fix data and relationship errors, even if it was contributed by others. We include justification in the “Reason this information is correct” box when asked. Then we add sources to help validate changes made to a record and facilitate collaboration.
To restore accidental or incorrect changes, the “Latest Changes” log tracks changes made to a record. Changes made by a Family Tree user can be restored by the same user or other Family Tree users. Originally used in new FamilySearch, the Watch/Notify button enables a Family Tree user to be notified weekly of changes made to an individual’s record. If no changes are made to a record, then no email notification is sent. So you can correct your ancestor, click Watch, and you will be notified if anyone makes any changes. If you don’t agree with what they changed, you can then work with that user to figure out who is right and who has sources, link them and tag them, and finally correct the data so that it is acceptable to all.
Discussions are still available. Family Tree has the ability to link online sources to individuals and genealogical data. By linking to documentation, information can be validated and verified and can support conclusions about an individual. You can add sources from FamilySearch from the images and indexed records there or you can add sources from any website on the Internet with information about your family.
Records can now be merged in Family Tree. This is very different from combining in new FamilySearch. Family Tree is all about the conclusion. For each record there should only be one birth, one death, etc., so merging records accomplishes two things, it may add data to a record that was missing and it removes duplicated data from the system, so be careful with that. Plus you can add photos and stories and bring those ancestors to life.
For more information, contact Shanna S. Jones shannasjones@msn.com (435) 628-4900.