Challenge of the week: Clean up names [closed]

Question

Hi WikiTreers,

Will you join our Data Doctors Challenge this week?           

Aleš's "WikiTree+" data analysis has uncovered thousands of profiles with special characters or words in name fields that probably don't belong there. There are parentheses that need to be removed, suffixes that need to be moved to the Suffix field, and much more.

Errors in name fields aren't just cosmetic. They make it less likely for profiles to be found in searches and matching.

Here is the table of likely problems and other suggestions to investigate.

Although the changes might be simple and fast, a thoughtful genealogist like you needs to investigate and carefully make the decision.

After you investigate something, set the status [more info]. That will let others know it has been addressed ... and ... it will earn you a point. The member with the most points at 11:59pm EDT on Sunday night will get a badge and the bragging rights.

If you're participating, please post here to let us know. It's nice to cheer each other on, and it will help us avoid stepping on each others' toes. Also post here if you have any questions about how to participate.           

Thanks for helping!

P.S. If you want to chat or coordinate what you are working on with others, in addition to this G2G post there is a handy spreadsheet courtesy of Steven Tibbetts. 

Real-time tracking results:           
See your stats alongside other participants here.

Top 10

• Helen E. Edwards - 362
• Amy J. Golder-Cooper - 174
• Sheila x - 90
• Darren J. Kellett - 85
• Jennifer Robins - 82
• Barbara J. Regan - 76
• Stuart A. Awbrey - 66
• Charles C. Avis - 52
• Sue L. Boutle - 45
• Deborah K. Green - 39

Comments

Challenge is active.

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I have a question about Suggestion  # 744 Wrong word in Middle Name

I have worked on the obvious ones like 'Unknown' but now I'm working on many where the middle name has 'or.'  Usually, I take out one of the names, remove the 'or' and put a Research Note on the profile.  But then I come across a profile such as this one:  https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Franklin-11927

The manager has correctly explained his research findings and the need for 'or'.  I don't feel I can add anything to a research note and I don't know how to handle the suggestion status.

If it really is a problem to have an 'or' in the database then why doesn't the creator of the profile get a popup message when they put 'or' in the Middle Name field.  Then they could decide how best to handle it.  

And the same goes for all of the other wrong words like 'Unknown.'  There would be a lot less need for data doctors to go back after the fact and clean up the database if the front end prevented the bad data from being entered in the first place.

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I’ll do a few.

Answer 1

I'll  try a few to help out

Answer 2

Will work on some

Answer 3

I get after some of these errors.

Answer 4

I'll have a go at some of the Scottish ones.

Answer 5

I'll pitch in and see how many I can get to with confidence!

Answer 6

I’ll do a few.

Answer 7

I will try a few. Not sure I will have the time to get very many done.

Answer 8

I will help!

Answer 9

I know it's late in the game, but I'm new to the challenges, so I'll try a few.

Answer 10

I'll do some