Hi Jean
Can I respectfully disagree with a couple of points you make in your most-recent post ? As you know, when WikiTree began, there was a "push" to add as many new ancestor profiles as possible so that the combined tree would gain popularity and acceptance; in that period, roughly from 2009 to 2016, few "restrictions" were placed on new members creating ancestor profiles from all kinds of sources and mainly, let's be honest, from Family Trees either researched individually by the members or their close relatives OR from Ancestry.com, the largest repository of genealogical profiles globally. Little attention was paid to adding researchable-sources and yes, it was "quantity over quality".
Starting around 2016 as WikiTree matured, the Leadership began an unending (true today) process of Education for both new and existing members - to "fill in" profiles, especially those pre-1700 where we members "share" ancestors (the principle of a One World Tree), with reliable, recognized sources: both primary & secondary by acknowledged authors/researchers. Then, faced with so many un-sourced and questionable new contributions, we added Tests designed to reduce un-reliable, or fantasy or improper new contributions, focusing on pre-1700 with the self-administered Sources Quiz (so anyone working on these historic, many-times-shared profiles would at least have to acknowledge what are proper sources & how to find them) and then the pre-1500 profiles - mostly upper classes & notables as local records rarely exist before 1600 - but, wisely in my opinion, we exempted post-1700 profiles recognizing that, although we request proper sources, we are a "Wiki" site where members can freely add what they believe to be correct based on family history, prior genealogies that did not follow strict sourcing guidelines but nonetheless often have value for a specific family etc. We need and encourage New Members and if even their close family tree was restricted to experienced genealogist researchers, many would be "turned off" and leave. By 2018 we had added Projects to help manage "controversial or notables" profiles as they often attract the most attention. Now many projects have "Teams" and "Trails" helping not only new members but also actively going back to earlier-created profiles and adding sources or correcting incorrect relationships that are disproven.
This all takes time and dedication and WikiTree is far from "established". Perhaps we should request a bit more of new members but we walk a "fine line" balancing need for accuracy with need for openness and continued growth. I personally believe the pre-1700 is a good dividing line but it could be debated. Right now our focus is on educating new members on how to find and add the best sources available. Not everyone can afford Ancestry or MyHeritage prices! As a "Wiki" site we always will have members who do not know how to source properly or do not wish to take the time & effort - so we will always have Data Doctors and Suggestions and Projects to help correct mistakes.