Question

How do I check for duplicate profiles? I don't see any option to check for duplicates.

Comments

Maybe you've worked on FamilySearch, which has, on each profile, a button for "Possible Duplicates" and another for "Find Similar People."  I could not find anything similar on WikiTree.

Edit:  But see Robin Shaules's and Jim Richardson's answers below.

Answer 1

Hi Patricia. To look for possible duplicates of a particular profile, go to the profile and look at the second menu at the top right. This menu (just after My WikiTree) is headed by the WikiTree ID of the person. Select "Search for Matches" from the menu, and a page will open with a list of possible matches.

Comments

Thank you for the star, Patricia!

Answer 2

Hello Patricia, 

If you are looking for duplicates of an existing profile in your Watchlist, use FindMatches. Also, here is a link to the WikiTree Guidelines for finding duplicates.  I hope this helps.

Answer 3

I usually find them by accident when I am looking at a descendent family tree. Otherwise for me, it is a hit and miss thing.

BUT if you are creating a new profile and you get a list of possible duplicates showing up, then you MUST check that list to ensure that you are not creating a duplicate.

If you do find a profile with all the right details already on wikitree, then you can cancel the one you are making and add your new sources and details to the one that is already in the system.

Answer 4

I have found them on the Surname Page when looking for a particular profile, noticing matching birth dates.