Should I "orphan" unrelated (to my tree) profiles, keep them, or just not create them at all?

Question

For the past 20 years, my "retirement project" has been working on a sourced geographical genealogy based in Knox County, Ohio. It does not reside on WikiTree (it's on TribalPages, because I could upload a 92,000-name GED there and not here).

Sometimes I get tired of working with relatives only and want to spend a few hours with "old" friends. Thus my question: I know I can create a family (never just a single individual) here, add in sources and format their biographies. But my question is what to do with that family then? Should I orphan them and hope a family member comes along and adopts them? Should I keep them in my care (even though I'm not at all related to them)? Or should I just not create them and their profiles in the first place? Which would create the least problems?

BTW, all of these would be people who lived between 1800-1900.

Comments

I have tons of non-directly related Profiles.  Mostly what would be considered cousins in law.  This what I did and do.

I created a Personal Category  and then subcategories for different needs.My Personal Category   Category:Russell-13872  and then subcategory  Category: Russell-13872 Orphaned

When I Orphan a Profile I add a note on why I am Orphaning it and add the appropriate category.  This way I am reducing my Watch List so I can add more direct relations, but I can still have a list of those I have created.  I have gotten many inquiries from non WikiTree Members about their ancestor I have added.  Just one today in fact.

Then I try to get them to join WikiTree to add their data.. Muhahahahahaaaa.  Oops, sorry, got carried away.

Try it, you'll like it and not feel like you're leaving these Orphaned Profiles out in the cold.

EDITED:

Here is one of Notes when I Orphan:

[[Category: Russell-13872 Orphaned]]

==Profile Note==

:This profile was originally created from an Ancestry Com Tree created for a friend of mine. I added to WikiTree in hopes that in the future, someone will claim this Profile. Unfortunately, I have to Orphan this Profile to make room on my Watchlist. Any questions, please contact me [ LJ Russell].

I add how to contact me because most non WIkiTeers don't probably get the Send Message part of the Profile.  Before I Orphan the Profile I click on Send Message to me, copy the URL and paste it in [URL LJ Russell]  This way if someone clicks on it, it sends a message from that Profile with the Profile ID and I don't have to look up who they're referring to.

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Would adding a === Notes === section and putting something like your comment with the (~~~~) at the end accomplish the same thing without having a category tag on the profile? Hmmm... I may try that on a couple.

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Here is one I did the other day.  See what you think.  I put it at the top so it is easy to see though it can really go anywhere.  It is really no different than an --Acknowledgement== in appearance.  It should be deleted if someone Adopts it.

Peter Bolster Jr

Also the 4 tildes ~~~~ are just a date and time stamp from what I understand Carole.  Without the Category, no list I'm afraid.  As Categories are now at the bottom of the Profile, they are not as obtrusive as before so I see no problem in adding it. 

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LG, that's a great idea! keeping an eye on orphans until their adopted!

Answer 1

I think we all add unrelated people at times.  Some are done in the thons, some are, just as you say, for a different name
for diversion.  My suggestion is to pick some one profile and do as much as you can do for it and then orphan it.  You can start a new person  by going to the lists at the top of your profile and click on the add column.  There will be a category "NEW PERSON".  Start from there and have fun.  Some one may be looking some day and be delighted to find it and add all kinds of family.  You are not required to add a whole family at a time.