It is easy to confuse individuals in New FamilySearch. Many people have identical names or rather similar names. Even in the same family, many individuals have similar or identical names for many generations.For example, if a child died in the Netherlands, the next child of the same gender born into the family was given the name of the deceased child.
Additionally, due to the Dutch naming patterns, several individuals may have identical names but be born into different families on the same family tree.
Be very careful before combining individuals on your family tree. Look at the individuals’ dates and places. Check out the names of parents, spouses, and children.
Being extra careful assures that ordinances are recorded for the correct people and that ordinances still needing to be done can be completed.
Weigh all the information before accepting the duplicates. It is easier to merge individuals together than it is to divide them later. Pruning off unrelated branches can be very difficult.
It takes time to straighten out the “mess” so better to wait, research further information on the individual and family, and then decide whether the individuals are duplicates.
Remember -- not all family trees are alike. Grafting the wrong branches onto your family tree can cause weeping and wailing in your orchard for hours.
These simple guidelines will protect your family tree from genealogical diseases and pestilence.Keep the fruit on your family tree healthy and productive by merging duplicates ONLY when you are certain that they match.
