Entering FindAGrave as a source

Question

Is the FindAGrave source format *{{FindaGrave | 70029243}} now the required format?

Someone changed one of my links from my format that I have used for years to this new format which gives less information.  I have thousands of profiles with the following FindAGrave format, which I obviously prefer.

*[https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/70029243 FindAGrave memorial #70029243] in Frankfort Cem, Frankfort, Franklin, Kentucky

Do I need to use the less informative new format or can I continue with the format I have always used on WikiTree?  Thank you!

Re: the Best Answer on this page:  https://www.wikitree.com/g2g/514632/how-to-format-findagrave-as-a-source.  I never noticed the citation on the FindAGrave page.  I will probably use that if it is ok to use instead of the {{FindaGrave|xxxxxx}} format. 

Comments

{{FindaGrave|18491478}} as a format no longer appears to work. So, what is it? The above simply results in Template:FindaGrave. What am I missing?

Any chance of most regularly used formatting standards for some of the common citations being gathered in one place? I could not find such a place.

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The correct template is FindAGrave.

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Thanks, Aaron.

Answer 1

It drives me nuts when people replace full citations with just the link. I've come across way too many broken links, changed information, etc., to appreciate the brevity. For Find A Grave, I always copy and paste the full Find A Grave citation and then include the Find A Grave format in the citation.

Using Eli Smith as an example, this is what I do. I change the part in bold:

Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 02 July 2018), memorial page for Rev Eli Smith (15 Jul 1787–22 Oct 1839), Find A Grave Memorial no. 70029243, citing Frankfort Cemetery, Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky, USA ; Maintained by Tina Toles Wingate (contributor 47299438) .

To this:

Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 02 July 2018), memorial page for Rev Eli Smith (15 Jul 1787–22 Oct 1839), {{FindAGrave|70029243}}, citing Frankfort Cemetery, Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky, USA ; Maintained by Tina Toles Wingate (contributor 47299438).

That way, it links directly to the memorial, and you don't have to worry about Find A Grave changing their URL and creating a broken link, since this format directs it based on the memorial number.

Comments

This is awesome!  The link to the memorial on the FindAGrave website does not remain active when I copy and paste it to a WikiTree profile, but the {{FindaGrave|xxxxxx}} makes it active again.  Brilliant!  Thank you!

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I add WikiTree's FindAGrave template to the end of Findagrave's citations I believe that EditBot does the same when it updates Findagrave citations.

As you note, Kitty, when some of us copy the citation from Findagrave, the memorial link does not always transfer; so adding the template ensures that visitors have direct access to the memorial.

Answer 2

Personally, I prefer the full citation from Find a. Grave since it gives detailed information.

Comments

I concur with you Doug.

Answer 3

Is the FindAGrave source format *{{FindaGrave | 70029243}} now the required format?

Required? No. Just like all other templates are not required to be used, it provides a way to quickly add information to a profile. I have used both styles, depending on what information is available and the sources to back up that information.

In your case, if the person has only changed your correctly formatted link to a template, feel free to revert that change. Unless it was a Data Doctor fixing an error, there is no reason why correct links and references should be changed to another format without the Profile Manager/Trusted List being consulted first.

Comments

If we run into a link that will break why not fix it now instead of later as long as WikiTree has provided a good solution?

Answer 4

I have had the same thing done to me.  Full familysearch.com census citations changed to 1900 census, e.g., Find A Grave source reduced to just a number, etc.  because it looks "neater".  We are supposed to make full sources available for everyone.  In fact I have been adding full sources to some profiles that have just a one liner and putting it below and in the explanations I say  "Expanded source link".  So far no complaints,  but neither do these people seem to pay attention to the profile to fill it in themselves.

Comments

Beulah, when you see those sorts of changes being made, please contact the member who is doing it, and advise them that (1) they should not be removing useful and valid information added by others and (2) that their actions are inconsistent with the citation guidance at Help:Sources. If you get a poor response, or if for some reason you do not feel that you can contact them, see Help:Problems With Members for your options -- and consider filing a Mentor Intervention Request.

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I did contact her and explained why they were sourced.  She responded to change them back the way I wanted them.  I don't know if the connection for sources sunk in for her.

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Well, if you changed them back and she didn't reverse your edits, I guess you got through to her part of the way.

Answer 5

This is a great question!  First, my personal experience of going to a WikiTree profile and finding inconsistent data has incited me to look at the sources and sadly receive a 404 error.  When this happens we can attempt to find that material through the Internet Archives "Wayback Machine" which for some reason is not very fast.  Many remember when every web address started with the old WWW and that has now evolved and likely will continue to do so.  Secondly, the Find A Grave template should ensure that any changes in the future will be resolved by background programming changes.  The method noted as best answer in the link you posted is excellent as it is from Elizabeth Shown Mills.  Not all sites have the changes tab that allows us to track when a source was added to a profile and therefore do we really need the accessed on date?  Sadly, many sites that do include citation information may or may not be easy to find in the future.  At least, using an approved template for a citation places the updating for that particular site on those that approved it.  Memorial creators and those who maintain a memorial on that site appear to change as is similar to profiles on this site where duplicates have been merged and profile managers also change.

Answer 6

I agree with the others that the shortcut is too brief.  I use something similar to Kitty's example.  Same info in a different order.  What I really value is having the cemetery name and location in the Wikitree source.  Now I think a great upgrade might be to use the same format and have it also link up to the cemetery categories.  Maybe something like {{FindAGrave|70029243|Frankfort Cemetery, Frankfort, Kentucky}}.

Comments

I think Gurney's suggestion on including the link to the cemetery categories would be a very useful tool.  This would get more entries included on the cemetery pages, which may lead to researchers finding additional family members.

Answer 7

I really wish that the Find A Grave template would expand to a full citation text with all the necessary information.

Answer 8

One other thought... You might want to send a private message to the person who changed the source kindly and respectfully pointing them to this discussion on FindAGrave citations. If the person is a Sourcerer or DataDoctor, they are doing more harm than good.