Problem w/ member?

Question

I got a message to thank someone for adding a spouse to a profile I manage. The addition is most likely correct. But the person who made the change offered no sourcing.

My opinion is that if a change is made, the ʻmakerʻ should add a source. Is that a big ask?

I looked briefly at the contributions of this individual. Many many changes and additions, and NO reference to adding any sources.

I really think WikiTree should put the brakes on members with hundreds of contributions, no sources added.  

This adding just to be the one with the most contributions does not add to the value of profiles on WikiTree. On one profile I checked where a spouse had been added, there were two spouse profiles for the same person. Those needed to be merged. If a careful person, instead of a speeder, had looked at the profile that would have been obvious.

Sorry to be a trouble maker, but there truly needs to be some instruction and control here.

Comments

Perhaps add the Unsourced Banner to the very many unsourced profiles this user has created.

 {{Unsourced|United States}}

I think that's the correct format

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Good idea, though the profiles I manage that were added to already had sources for the info I knew. It is the new info added that is not sourced. I can only address the ones I manage in this regard.

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For US profiles, if there is a state in a location, then the state should be entered, not United States, since that might get the attention of the people working on the state profiles.

Answer 1

I understand your frustration, Kristina. WikiTree is built with quality and accuracy. I changed a few profiles by adding family members myself. When I added another family member, the protocol required that there be a source to complete the process. Maybe we need to review how data can be added to open profiles. If there is a leak in the boat, maybe we should identify it and plug the leak.

Answer 2

I am a stickler for sources but must admit that when I am working on a profile and connect that profile to an existing profile (spouse or child), I only add the source(s) to the profile I was working on, not to the profile managed by another person. I always send the PM a PM to explain why I made the connection but leave it to them to add the source to their profile.

Answer 3

Read through this to see if there is an appropriate path for you to resolve your frustration.  

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

Yes, they should provide a source.  And you could remove the spouse and include a comment that no source has been provided.  You could reach out and try to discuss the situation but always use the Honor Code to guide you.

Keep in mind that this is a Wiki.  Thus changes and updates are encouraged.  If you can make the profile better and have sources, please do so.  If removing a connection that has no source and no explaination of why it was made makes the profile more accuate, then remove the unsubtantiated claim but be sure to state your reasoning.

Collaboration is best, but sound reasoning to explain changes may be what you have to work with.

Patience really is a virtue here. Those who can back up their claims will win the day and make WikiTree better over time.

I enourage you to reach out and try and resolve the situation.

Comments

@Michael and @Scott.  I do not feel the need to reach out to someone who posts one change every 90 seconds (not an exaggeration, I just checked), and in the case of the profiles I manage, just adding spouses without sources because they saw it somewhere. They are doing a full save in order to gain speed and points.  I do not think that is how WikiTree is supposed to work.

I will source the profiles myself and use the Save feature between minor additions or changes.

WikiTree should not be a contest to see who can get the MOST whatever.

As I mention frequently, I am a trouble maker. I wish I did not need to be so picky.

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So file an MIR.

Answer 4

I've run into this situation before, and usually I'll let them know that I recommend adding a source and asking them if they're familiar with where they can find a good source for this. Often they don't have a clear understanding of what a proper source is, or how others might be putting sources down when they're struggling, or some other perfectly reasonable response. In some cases, you'll get a rather abrupt "I don't do sources" and they won't respond to you after that. But if they gave you a valid profile and you can give it a valid source, my recommendation would be to give it a source yourself and if the lines of communication are still open, ask them if they agree that the source you provided properly represents that profile. I'd stay away from the accusations and finger-pointing if possible, as it never helps unless they need a bit of a slightly stern reminder that they do have a responsibility when editing a collaborative shared tree like WikiTree. I've just found that when someone is plowing along with sources like "Personal recollection" all the way back to the 1700's... I can only WISH my memory went back that far.

Comments

Please see my comment to Michael.

Answer 5

I m still learning here. If someone added a spouse to an existing profile, did they not create a profile to do that? Was it sourced? Or, did they connect an existing unsourced profile to another existing profile? As far as thank yous, I'm sure I have not acknowledged everyone I should have, nor have I received as many as one might think. As far as points, WikiTree is set up to encourage a competitive spirit while promoting civility at the same time. Life is a temporary situation, we shouldn't take it so seriously. Points and badges are meant to be fun. Me, my fun is fun is finding my next relative.

Answer 6

Just an observation here. If someone is really after points, it is much faster to take part in the Sourcing  challenges and add one source after another to profiles. Adding new profiles takes longer and requires more information whether sourced or not. Some newer members don't have a clue how easy it is to find and post sources. Since my background is English and Library Science, I love sourcing so I learned how to source on WikiTree very early after joining. Others don't take the time to do that and it can be a teaching opportunity.

Comments

So, it's people like you that follow me around, adding "stuff" that makes my work look good. THANK YOU,THANK YOU, THANK YOU! People at work thought I had a crush on my secretary because I brought her flowers every day (when in bloom). A simple gesture really, to let her know how much I appreciated her. Believe it or not, I was asked by "Management" to stop bringing flowers to her b/c some clerical felt shorted. So, like we do here in Missouri, I compromised. She started getting more flowers and the other clerical got one each, problem solved, kind of. It wasn't before a complaint against me was filed for creating a "hostile work environment"

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That is really funny, K!! Gave me a laugh for the day. I do what I can to help improve WikiTree and not just for my watch list. There are many profiles with no sources and I try to work on those as time permits. That job is kind of relaxing for me. As for the present problem in this thread, I would never change relationships on a profile without contacting the PM and posting some sources in a Research Note and explaining what I thought needed to be changed. There again, another educating moment for those who do not know to do that!! So much to do and so little time!

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Glad to hear you got a chuckle out of that. I have 30 years of that kind of stuff from one job! No wonder why they threw me (or a) a party when I left. I live by aphorisms and quotes. Grandpa use to say, "you can get glad in the same pants you got mad in, changing your clothes aint gonna' help"