Sources ONLY from Family Search

Question

HI Wikiteers

Can someone help me with your opinion thanks but also point me to guidelines related to sourcing ONLY from Family Search.  As an LDS member I use it extensively but find many many errors in entries that are provided without sources as with any site.  What is our policy in regards to sourcing using only Family Search and not Government sites for Birth and Death and Marriage registrations or Census records.    Do we have guidelines in relation to adding and connecting using only Family Search.  I am finding errors in connections and before I raise I would like to know what the guidelines are.  Thankyou

Comments

https://www.wikitree.com/g2g/839430/using-familysearch-link-as-source

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Actually Mike,  This link makes a good point.  There is a difference between a Source and a Citation.  We tend to blend them together.

For clarity.  We need to know what evidence you used for every statement of fact you claim.  If you used the 1850 US Census, it can come from anywhere as long as you provide us enough information so that we can independently verify it.  

Ancestry and Family Search both provide links to the same Census but they may have different transcriptions.   That is why it is important to check the original document.

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Keep in mind the, in this example, the 1850 Census alone is not good enough, we need all the details of who, what, when, where.  Why is helpful as well.

Answer 1

You can source from anywhere as long as it is a legitmate source.  

While you may only use sources provided by Family Search ( I use them a lot) anyone can add to the profile using another respository's information.

More on WikiTree and sources here:

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Help:Sources

and Here:

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Help:Sources_Style_Guide

Comments

Thankyou Michael.  Appreciated.

Answer 2

The records (census, wills, etc) on FamilySearch are acceptable sources. The FamilySearch tree (without underlying sources from other records) is not an acceptable source.

Comments

Generally I think you are correct however, linking and source citations and ' adding to a profile' on Family Search can and is done by anyone, family member, etc.  At times I find mistakes.  I agree mostly but my point is its not sufficient to use just the Family Search link as a source - you need to go to the citation to see if there are actually any sources.  I hope you agree.