Genealogy Chat

Oops I think I may have done something impolite.

I'm a newbie and I've been copying things from other people's trees assuming that it's ok because they have allowed me to look at theirs, partly because I am concerned that I may lose access to the info they have for one reason or another.

Should I go and delete all the relatives that I have added by doing this?

Advice Please on this and any other ettiquette.

Thanks

SJ

I think it's always polite to ask permission first....and adding living people is definitely a no no. It is difficut to resist though when you see a really good lead in another tree.

Hi Sara-Jane

Opinion varies on this one.

One: If you open your tree to someone they are entitled to "help themselves" to your info.

Two: They're my relatives and I don't want anyone else putting them in their tree.

You might do as well to message the person(s) concerned and ask them if it's OK if you take the info. Also, do not add any living relatives from their tree onto yours - that really annoys people.

I tend just to make a note of any shared ancestor - going backwards and a note of how the contact links into our shared ancestor - the rest of their tree is usually not much help as it contains their partner's family etc - and some of my connections are years back so I do not want heaps of their recent relatives in my tree because they're not direct and not at all closely related.

But, as I said, go back and ask if it's OK.

Good luck

Jill

..if they have given access, you can take what you want.

..if you are true researcher, you will want to confirm everything you have obtained, copy certs, PR's etc.

..if you are happy with a ready made family tree without proof positive, although it might be exactly as described, ready made, but not true, don't feel guilty.

Best regards, Bob

Hi SJ

One way round this is to put the tree onto private software so that it isn't available for everyone to see. Although, I would also say if they did not want their details on line then they also would not have them accessible.

There is a free downloadable tree which I think you can access via ancestry or you can purchase software - Family Tree Maker 2007 is pretty good.

Best Wishes

Happy Hunting

Jane

Thanks for the replies - will give it some careful thought

SJ

Sarah Jane, can you be sure that the information you are 'copying' is correct?

M. Steer

SJ

I woulds say the same as Margaret M on this one.

So Bob if you asked to look in my Fridge, does that give you the right to take what you want.

Julie

..julie, you mis read me, my advise was leaning towards Margarets suggestion. Especially with respect to the copying of info without full research.

As to the fridge analogy, your domestic item and contents are safe within your own domain....put on the pavement for public access and I am sure the contents would disappear... especially the beer!

best regards, Bob