Would you like to join the Unknowns Project? [closed]

Question

See new join thread posted 13 July 2021

We are focused on finding the identities of Profiles with Last Name at Birth as Unknown.

If you are up to this challenge please join our Project. Just follow the instructions Under the heading "How to Join" on the Unknowns Page.

WARNING!!!: Working on this project might lead you into a Rabbit Hole.

You are also welcome to leave a comment on this post and we will award you the Badge.

Comments

Can anyone use one of the unknowns on the “recycled unknowns” page to create a new profile or are they reserved to be used by the project members?

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Any Profile Manager that wants to create a new profile can use a “recycled unknowns” profile. They are not just reserved for Project members. You just need to follow the instruction at the top of the page.

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I've actually been working on Unknown orphans as a part of the Sourcerers challenge, not knowing this project existed. I've solved several - looking especially for married women whose LNAB is unknown....and it's REALLY fun to find the answer and give these women their identity back!!

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Thanks Pam!! Please join the team so that we can award the badge to you.

I also love it when I can put a LNAB onto a profile.

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I have added my name  to the page  xxx

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OK - COUNT ME IN!!

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Sounds like a great challenge.

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I've been communicating with Rakelle Teschner who reached out to me about recycling unknowns.  I interpreted "change the name and LNAB if needed" to mean it was OK to use an unknown to create an entirely new profile with a new first and LNAB. It might be helpful to future newbies if the instructions were "Adopt a profile with the same gender and first name."

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Jill, "change the name and LNAB if needed" does mean that it is OK to create an entirely new profile with a new first and LNAB.

If you look at the guidelines the only restriction on adopting a Profile with "Unknown" LNAB, is that you need to select one with the same gender. If there is a profile with the same 1st name it would be great to use it but it is not a requirement.

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Category:Recycle_Unknowns

If a profile on the recycle list already have a valid LNAB it should not be changed but all other data can be changed as required.

In a nutshell this is the guidelines:

1. If the LNAB is Unknown

a. Adopt a profile with the SAME gender

b. Remove the Category: Recycle Unknowns

c. Change the Name and LNAB if needed, and add all the other information, including your sources

2. If the LNAB is for example Smith, Jones, etc

a. Adopt a profile with the exact same LNAB

b. Remove the Category: Recycle Unknowns

c. DO NOT Change the LNAB. It should be used for the same LNAB, to keep the changes log consistent.

d. Add all other information, including your sources

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Thank you - it's a relief to know all those unknowns I recycled were put to good use.

Answer 1

Already a member, but I just want to chime in and say how incredibly rewarding it is to solve these!  And yes, you WILL fall down rabbit holes! 

Even if you only do one once in a while, when you need a break from looking for 3rd-cousin-4-times-removed Harry who ran off to join the circus, it's a valuable contribution to the shared tree.

Comments

Thanks Nan. Your contributions are greatly appreciated.

Answer 2

I didn’t know there was a such a project, but I have already solved one.

Just waiting on the profile manager to change the last name from unknown to Bockholt.

See Unknown-295682

Answer 3

I'm in! I've discovered the names of several unknowns but I don't think I've joined the project yet!

Answer 4

I am already a member but seem to not be able to access the google page. Can you let me know why? Has it changed?

Thanks

Terry

Comments

Hi Terry

Try this link and see if you can connect

WikiTree's Unknowns Project Google Group

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Same thing, says I need to be a member. :(

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We got it fixed, Esmé

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Thanks Debi

Just got to my computer to try and sort it out :)

Answer 5

Reuniting Unknowns with their surnames is one of my passions, I'll join!

Answer 6

I get great satisfaction on finding names for Unknowns.  Please give me the badge.  I have added my name to the list.

Answer 7

I have some unknown surnames in my tree, and will work on them.

Comments

Thanks Alison