How do I fix the duplicate source mess I made by downloading my GEDCOM files twice?

+7 votes
255 views
I mistakenly downloaded loaded my GEDCOM file before it was really ready. I have a 10,000 plus person tree on Ancestry.com and was splitting my tree to download. However, most of the sources were missing from the tree I selected to download to Wikitree. I’ve tried deleting the duplicated sources but it seems to have made it worse. Any help is appreciated, I really want to do this correctly. Thanks.
in WikiTree Help by Jennifer Jordan G2G6 Mach 1 (13.8k points)

4 Answers

+8 votes
 
Best answer
Have you already added all your profiles from your GEDCOM? If so, then the only thing to do is just clean, clean, clean. If you haven't, then you might want to start over with a new GEDCOM that doesn't have the duplicated sources. I hate this for you.
by Nelda Spires G2G6 Pilot (554k points)
selected by Susan Smith
I’ve only added about 15 people. I will get to work cleaning up my profiles. The next time I load a GEDCOM, if ever, I’ll make sure it has good sources. And, I’ll be sure to check the boxes for those people I’ve already downloaded and not duplicate them.

Thanks Linda and Nelda for the advice.
Many of us suggest manual entry for 100 or so profiles before you attempt downloads. That way you get accustomed to the system.
Tom, great idea.  I have decided to not upload a Gedcom since I have seen so many problems with Gedcom uploads.  The more recent uploads are much better than the earlier ones, and you can always make sure you have some good sources if you do it one at a time.
Jennifer, manual is the method I prefer, too, and I almost started not to answer your question because of that. You'll figure out your way which works best for you. I appreciate that you want to do it well no matter which method of entry you choose. You'll be an asset to WikiTree.
+8 votes
If you have created duplicate profiles, you need to merge each set of records. Cam you give us a profile or two that have the problem?
by Linda Peterson G2G6 Pilot (764k points)
Keane-879 is an example of a profile that I attempted to fix by deleting duplicate information,

Peters-10632 is an example that shows both GEDCOM downloads; the first missing dates and sources, and the second with some improvements.

Profiles like these have resulted in 831 and 869 Suggestions. However, since this wasn’t an example of the same source being used twice (but rather 2 copies of the same source) I didn’t correct them as suggested.
Good job on Keane-879, I added a little more spacing in Residence for Readability.

I did Peters-10632 for you.

Those are good examples of what can cause those both of those errors.

831 - duplicated lines because you had the same 1st 4 sources duplicated in the profile with the same name and ref names being used

869 - you used the same ref name in those 4 sources that were duplicated

If you only have 15 records like this, you are lucky.  They won't be too bad to clear those errors, This is a better situation than having multiple profiles that have to be merged together.
Linda, thank you so much for your help! I’ve only been on Wikitree for 10 days and I’ve only been working on my genealogy for a year. I still have so much to learn. But, it helps to have kind people providing feedback and assistance.
+2 votes

Hi Jennifer and Welcome to WikiTree.

You might want to take a look at this page with links to WikiTree Help Pages, tips and hints on using GEDCOM files to add your tree to WikiTree's One Global Tree.

GEDCOM File Usage Primer

I have loaded thousands of names to WikiTree and once you take the time to learn GEDCOMpare, I think it is just as fast as manual additions to add new Profiles.  I loaded many when I first started and now I am going back and updating them to Family Search sources where available. Easier to view sources for folks who don't have an Ancestry membership.

Learning to use GEDCOMpare and also learning the styles and policies of WikiTree at the same time can be a little daunting.  I always suggest you manually load about 20 to 30 Profiles to learn and get the feel of WikiTree and then start using your GEDCOM files.  If a name you already entered is in your file, you do not need to Merge that name with the existing Profile you created. 

Here is one of my older (2017) Profiles I have updated: It is an Open Privacy Profile so you can click on Edit to see how I formatted it.

Lucille Jackson

As with any new program, it takes a little time to learn the ropes.

Also, here is a little Cheat Sheet I put together to help me find the Help Pages on the many ways you can format and or modify your Profiles.

Cheat Sheet

One of the biggest helps when starting on WikiTree is to view as many existing profiles as you can, Like the Bears's Porridge, some are too cold and some are too hot and some are just right.  ;)  You find the style you like.

by LJ Russell G2G6 Pilot (215k points)
+2 votes
I have also found a very quick way to find what you want is to google it.  I just put in

Wikitree and then whatever I need such as a duplicates or GED.com or whatever . ..

For me this is usually faster than trying to use the Help Index which is not very detailed and requires a lot of scrolling to scan the topics.  I've been around 3 years and still look stuff up.

You are smart to have started with just a few profiles!

Good luck.
by Cindy Cooper G2G6 Pilot (323k points)

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