Is MATCHBOT supposed to propose merges for Unknowns?

Question

MATCHBOT has proposed some merges with Unknowns.  For instance:

Luisa D. Unknown and Elizabeth Dean Redd  only things in common are birth year (one is estimated) and birth state

Sarah Unknown and Sarah Denis Hicks  the only things in common are first name (Sarah) and birth year

Pauline Unknown born in the 1890s (no other info, private red privacy) has eight proposed merges. 

Seems like the MATCHBOT criteria is a little loose here, especially for Unknowns.  We'll have to spend time clearing these, and how many will end up as unmerged matches?

Answer 1

MatchBot has a team that goes through any MatchBot suggested merges to clear out the ones that are obviously not matches.  

It is easier when the privacy status is open, of course, as that allows us to see all the information.

When the privacy level is not Open, we try to use any information available. In the cases listed above, I was able to reject the matches for Luisa D and Elizabeth Dean Redd and Sarah Unknown and Sarah Denis Hicks using other information.

However, in the case of Pauline Unknown, the Unknown profile is set to Red which means the only information we have is her first name.  There is no way to reject or accept a match based on that level of detail.  The profile manager will need to go through those matches and reject or accept them.

These will stay as proposed merges until the Profile Manager(s) either accept or reject them.  They won't automatically be merged together due to the Privacy Level.

We are also aware that the matching criteria for MatchBot needs to be tweaked.  It is something that we are working towards.

Thanks,
Susan
MatchBot MP

Comments

Pauline Unknown generates an enormous number of Matchbot merge proposals. It seems that Pauline was a popular name in the 1890s.

I just sent a plea to the profile manager urging him to make changes to the privacy level and content. Maybe she can be removed from the universe of profiles eligible to be examined by Matchbot.

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Thanks!  I was going to submit a request to be on his Trust list.  But hopefully he'll make the update you suggested instead.

Thanks!!