Friday, February 26, 2016

FamilySearch Family Tree: How to Work with Possible Duplicate Records

How to Work with Possible Duplicate Records

To merge duplicate records:

Family Tree finds records that may be possible duplicates. After comparing two records, you can
merge them. After you have identified the information to keep, Family Tree will:
• Keep the original record.
• Add to the original record the information that you selected from the duplicate record.
• Remove and archive the duplicate record.
• Record these actions on the change history so that they can be unmerged if needed.

Before you start the merge process:
• Do your research to determine the accuracy of the information and to attach sources.
• Write down the ID number for both persons on a FamilySearch Family Tree Cleanup Worksheet.
Compare the temple work for both persons. Write it down.

After the merge, recheck the temple work for the remaining person.
• Understand the full picture - you are adding the family and extended pedigree of the merged person too.
Proceed slowly - cautiously - carefully.

First – if you already know two records to merge, Write down the ID numbers for both persons on your FamilySearch Family Tree Cleanup Worksheet. If you do not know of any duplicates yet, use Possible Duplicates in step 2 to look for them.

1. Open the person’s details page.
2. Click Possible Duplicates in the Tools box. Review the results and do either A or B below.
A. If a record is displaying, go to Step 4.
B. If the record is not displaying, click Merge by ID in the header.
*  Enter the ID number of the duplicate record that you want to compare with.
            *  Click Continue. Go to Step 3.
3. Click Review Merge.
The record on the left is the one that will be preserved. The record on the right will be deleted
and then stored in an archive. Have the more correct record on the left-hand side. If needed,
click Switch Positions (if available) above the two names to switch the two records.
4. Click Open Details beneath Vital Information to review who last modified the information and
to review any reason statements.
5. Compare the information of the record on the right side with the information on the left side.
• If the information on the right is not on the left, and is correct, click Add.
• If the information on the right is more correct, click Replace.
• If the information on the right is the same or less correct, click Reject.
• If you need to change your selection, click Undo.
6. After reviewing each piece of information, then do either A or B below.
A. If the two records are a duplicate, click Continue Merge.
Enter the reason why you feel they are a match.
Click Finish Merge.
B. If you determine the two records are not a duplicate, at the bottom of the page
click Not a Match.
Enter the reason why you feel they are not a match.
Click Not a Match.

To indicate that two records are Not a Match:

Family Tree finds records that may be possible duplicates. After comparing two records, you can
indicate that they are not a match. Family Tree will no longer suggest that they are possible
duplicates.
1. Open the person’s details page.
2. Click Possible Duplicates in the Tools box.
3. Compare the information between the two persons.
4. Click Not a Match if the two persons do not match.
5. Enter the reason why you feel they are not a match.
6. Click Not a Match.

To remove a record from the “Not a Match” list:

1. Open the person’s details page.
2. Click Possible Duplicates in the Tools box.
3. Click Not a Match in the header.
4. Find the person that needs to be moved back to the list of possible duplicates.
5. Click May Be a Match at the far right of the person’s name.
6. Enter the reason the information is correct.
7. Click May Be a Match.

To undo a merge - if the record has not been changed:
If the merge needs to be undone, and if the preserved record has not changed since the merge,
then you can undo the merge.
1. Open the person’s details page who needs a record unmerged.
2. In the Latest Changes box, click Show All Changes.
Changes that resulted from a merge are identified with a colored box around them. Merge is
at the top left of the box.
3. Find the name of the deleted person and then click Unmerge to the right of the name.
4. Enter the reason why you feel the merge should be undone.
5. Click Unmerge.
6. In the Latest Changes box, click Show All Changes.
Changes that resulted from an Unmerge are identified with a colored box around them.
Unmerge is at the top left of the box.

To restore a record that was deleted after a merge - if the record has been changed:
When two records are merged, one record remains in Family Tree, the other is deleted and then
stored in an archive. If the merge needs to be undone, and if the remaining record was changed
after the merge, then you have to restore the archived record.
1. Open the person’s details page of someone in the person’s family.
2. In the Latest Changes box, click Show All Changes.
Changes that resulted from a merge are identified with a colored box around them. Merge is
at the top left of the box.
3. Click on the name of the person listed beneath Deleted Person.
4. Click Person on the summary card.
Review the information as to why the record was deleted.
5. Click Restore Person.
6. Enter the reason

  

309 Individuals FSFT © 2015 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. (12 May 2015)  Utah South Area Family History Training Center - Orem

Thank you to the Utah South Area Family History Training Center for these instructions.
Mary Pletsch

No comments:

Post a Comment