Hello List,
Familysearch.org has a data search site that is free to use. Downloading images from
partner sites can cause money issues, but that it not the focus of this message. Their
Family Tree is different from this.
The LDS FamilySearch now has a free site – FamilySearch Family Tree - to put your
genealogy, photos and such on line. This is a form of collaborative Family Tree. And
everyone must register to use this web site. See:
https://familysearch.org/tree/
Unlike
Ancestry.com, as of last week, there is no public or private setting. Anyone in
your tree that is dead (listed as dead or born 110 years ago or longer) can be seen by
others. And they can be added to other trees.
As of last week, once you put your data in, it stays in. There is no provision or option
for removing it. You can correct your tree but removing it is currently not allowed.
Direct GEDCOM download is currently not an option either.
FamilySearch Family Tree is replacing NewFamilySearch. Why is the later going away? It
too was an on line collaborative tree that allowed anyone to modify your tree. Combine
that with indiscriminative merging, lack of sources and impossible or fraudulent trees
and you have the reason it is going away.
Merging duplications has a negative side effect. It can impact other people’s trees. This
is a holdover from NewFamilysearch and while they are working on it, they continue to work
on it.
FamilySeach transferring data from the old NewFamilySeach also creates duplications. And
I have had the same duplication come twice courtesy of FamilySearch.
Source adding as a few cute options such as a source box to store sources, images and
such. This box can be used to add sources. Unlike Ancestry.com’s tree, you can not link
to a source, but only reference it.
In my opinion, Family Search Family Tree is still in a beta stage where changes are coming
almost weekly. I do not think it is ready for prime time. Use all with a large grain of
salt and question any new ancestors found there. No documentation means the data is next
to worthless.
Outside vendors such as Roots Magic, Legacy and Ancestral Quest (to name a few) are
providing options of connecting your data to the LDS Family Tree and retaining ownership
of your data. This is especially important for LDS users for Temple Work. You link,
search, merge, update then leave using these vendors. The data you leave on Family Tree
stays there, but you have your data uncorrupted in your personal data files at home.
PLEASE NOTE that you can upload your GEDCOMs to the FamilySearch system similar to the old
Ancestral File and Pedigree Resource File. But, now they become part of the searchable
FamilySearch.org system. Your submissions through this system remain in your control,
preserved indefinitely, to review or remove as you see fit. Per the web site. They also
call this portion Family Trees and it is confusing because it is so different from the
FamilySearch Family Tree. See:
https://familysearch.org/family-trees
Be very cautious when using FamilySearch Family Tree. It may be better in the future, but
it might also collapse like earlier versions.
John R. Carpenter
La Mesa, CA
Carpenter Cousins Y-DNA Project
http://carpentercousins.com/carpdna.htm