Profile Improvement Project (PIP) : What we do and how to join [closed]

Question

Profile Improvement should be part of every WikiTreers routine. From the moment you create your first profile, every addition/correction is a profile improvement.

It's a learned process. 

The first thing you might learn is how to "clean" up your GEDCOM import. 

Then where to find sources and how to format them (give them enough information that they can be found again even if the links break).

As you begin writing bios, you'll want to learn how to create inline citations.  Member Greg Shipley created the Bio app to generate a basic bio with spaces for potential citations.

At some point, you'll learn how to merge profiles and how to integrate the two biographies afterward.

The Profile Improvements Project's PIP Voyage can help you learn and improve all these skills.

If you find that you really enjoy doing any of these, or you discover that you're just automatically improving profiles as you randomly fix the large and small problems on WikiTree profiles, consider joining the Profile Improvement Project. Read the Project Page and follow the steps in the "How to Join" section. Add an answer below to get started on the Voyage.

Thank you.

Profile Improvement Project

Comments

Not being a subscriber to any paid sites I welcome your proposed changes. Actually I like the idea of a commitment but it shouldn't be such a hard and fast requirement that we lose the enjoyment of what we're doing or start getting too regimented.

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Thanks, Neil.

After thought and consultation, we have re-worded the "commitment" to "strongly encourage."

Trust me, no one has time to verify that 52 profiles are touched every year LOL

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Hi, regarding changing one paid source to a free source, I read other guidelines recently on WikiTree - but can't remember where - it was suggested that the original source used should always be quoted, even where it was behind a paywall. This is something we encounter often as eg for a pre-1855 baptism in Scotland, a free but secondary source such as  Family Search can give some good basic transcribed information and an easy to copy and paste source, but the Old Parish Register entry from ScotlandsPeople will often give far more useful information and you know it is the primary source, and so seems to be the logical choice?.

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We always want to cite the most accurate records with images of the original being the preferred, even if they are behind a paywall. Sometimes the same records are (or become) available at a free site (ex., US Census records). In those cases, the paywalled citation can be replaced by a citation for the version at the free site.

The source actually used is the one that should be cited. So if an index was used, cite it. If an image of the record that was indexed is later reviewed, add a new citation for the better record. If the better record is behind a paywall, include both citations.

I hope that helps make more clear what I intended.

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I have been trying to learn the right way to edit biographies, especially the more complicated insertions such as tables pictures, etc, I feel that I could improve more, maybe this is the answer.... if its available to me may I join, please

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We would love to have you take the Voyage with us, Julie. Would you please go to the current join thread and add an answer there.

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I'd like to you are join the Disputed Existence Adjunct Project.

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Hi Catherine,

Please tell me more, it sounds interesting,

Julie

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I recently found a warren of profiles, all without sources,  looking rather suspect, all created by a person who hasn't verified their email address, and who made the profiles in a few days and hasn't been seen since.  I want to learn how to deal with them, or to hand them over to those who can.

Cathy

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Hi Catherine, I've noted your request and will try to get an answer for you soon.  Thanks.

Answer 1

Hello! I'd love to join this project. There's nothing I like more than a nice clean bio (with sources of course).

Comments

Hi Troy, sorry about the delay. Look for a private message from me.

Answer 2

I'd like to join the Profile Improvement Project.

Comments

Hi, Corey. Look for a private message from me

Answer 3

I would like to join and start the voyage please 

Comments

Hi Kylie, look for a private message from me.

Answer 4

Hi, I'd like very much to join the project. I'm in the process of going through my watchlist and improving profiles, but having guidance would be great!

Comments

Hi Donna, look for a private message from me.

Answer 5

I would like to join the profile improvement project. I love looking  up sources and  develping biorgraphies. Please let me join the project

Comments

Sorry for the delay, Stephen. I have sent you a private message.

Answer 6

Happy to join, I have been improving profiles and have participated in biobuilders challenges in the past year.

Comments

Sorry for the delay, Phil. I've sent you a private message.

Answer 7

Would like to join the project as improving profiles is what I imagine most of us strive to do!

Comments

Hi Mary, look for a private message from me.

Answer 8

Hi! I'd like to join this project. :)

Comments

Hi, Greta, look for a private message from me.