Can I request a merge if ...

Question

Is it ok to request a merge if I stumble across an obvious match, neither of whom are related to me. (Last time I tried this for a fairly obvious one, I mean a guy married to the same woman... two profiles, etc., I got a nasty-gram, which is why I’m asking.) In this case, it’s Haug-16 and Haug-71 and the spouses too (this was not the nasty-gram one!).

Thanks ahead of time!

Comments

Well, it's certainly courteous to discuss this with the profile managers before hand, listing the reasons. If no fireworks are set off, the merge should be close to automatic.

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So, the process should be to mail the profile managers first?  That was my mistake. I guess I should have thought of that. But, I’m learning. Thanks, Bruce.

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You're welcome, Pip. You can PM them if privacy is an issue, or post a public message if that seems unnecessary. Some peeps take surprises better than others. :) Glad you're learning.

Answer 1

Yes, it is absolutely OK to propose a merge when you find two profiles that likely represent the same person.  You don't need to be related to them or have any connection at all.  The Wikitree standard is:

Duplicates need to be merged. That is, when there are two or more profiles that represent the same person they must be combined into one profile. This is how we maintain one collaborative family tree.

You don't need to communicate with the PMs ahead of time, assuming that you clearly state the reason you believe they are duplicates when you propose the merge.  After all, you are not actually merging the profiles; a merge will not happen until three steps are completed:

1. Likely duplicates are identified and a merge proposal is made.
2. The PM of each profile reviews and agrees or disagrees.  Only if both agree, or 30 days elapses without a decision, can the merge proceed.
3. The most important step is the final one where a qualified Wikitreer reviews the merge one more time, researches information about the individual, and completes the merge.

You should never be the recipient of a nasty-gram for proposing a merge.  That is completely inappropriate on Wikitree.

Comments

If you should receive a nasty-gram at any time, pass it on to the team at info@wikitree.com.

It is, as Kerry says, very wrong and you have NOT caused it by properly (or even mistakenly) proposing a merge.