Rejecting merges for obvious matches

Question

What can be done when members automatically reject projected merges even when the profiles have the same birth and death dates, parents and spouse?  Can education be done?  Some seem to realize that if they are not absoultely sure they should make it an unmerged match.  But then they need to go back and research it.  It muttles the tree and does not work toward building ONE big tree.  It builds a mess, which is exactly what has happened at another well known tree trying to build the "One Big Tree".  I have contacted Wikitree on several people to no avail.  One person replied back that she did not have time bt she would make me co-manager so I could do it.  I respect that.   There are some big messes that will never get fixed at this rate.  I would love to see "One Big Tree" with EVERYONE in it.  That would be awesome!

Answer 1

This has been my experience on some profiles.

Sometimes when merges are requested, the attempt results in a listing for comparing conflicting and or duplicates in the  parent (s) - which should be merged first. 

If the there is no way to ascertain from the profile(s) which might be correct - as there are so many unsourced profiles - or profiles with just ged.com references:

1)   You are stuck with completing a merge w/o correcting the parents

2)  Having to research the parents and citing their records first, then doing their merges

3)  Not completing the merge.

Other times there are conflicting dates/spouses etc. when the parents match.

In either case, when such a conflict exists, the person requesting a merge should be doing this work - sourcing/bio/citations first, which is not often the case.

Comments

I understand if there is conflicting information but some members are rejecting profiles that have exactly the same information, ie, birth/death dates, parents,, spouses.  I don't know if they don't like anyone else making suggestions regarding "their" information or what.  Also, there should be more use of Unmerged match if it looks like the profiles match but there may be one small item that keeps them from being exact.

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I didn't notice the word 'rejecting' is your question.  That is a problem, they should be including a 'reason' for the rejection if that is the case.

Answer 2

Hey Sue,

You can send a message to Michelle Hartley (Gerard-337 ).  As leader of the Arborists project, she can help mediate these types of mergers.

Hope that helps!

Answer 3

I would Contact Michelle or Fred they should be able to assist you.

Answer 4

Hey Sue,

I'll help.  sending you a PM now.  Mags