ATTENTION Curators, please assist

P.S. Merry Christmas

Private User

I'm going to be a touch sarcastic - I think you can handle it - and say, "Whatever you do, never, ever check a site FAQ.". :):):)

The FAQ are hosted (logically, natch?) on the HELP pages. Ah ha! And where might those be?

How about the teeny tiny type at the bottom of every single page of the Geni site? Would that be a good place to look for them?

Or since I'm a good little curator, go directly to this link:

http://help.geni.com/forums/367902-GEDCOM

But I hope you stick around and finish that bio. It's looking good & we can use more good bio's - and good research - on our ancestors.

Private User, just a brief question. You mentioned "your picture" of the king. How did the picture become "yours" ? Are you the painter? Or was it you who first discovered the picture in Wikipedia?
OK, the picture is not yours and the king is certainly not yours. Even I, jewish and not being english, am somehow related to him.
It seems, your royal highness, you are not the only owner of the king or of his picture

@Private User attitude is less than desirable GENI is all about helping one another - growing the tree and cousins close and distance and gaining new info you don' have and preserving your research for others... GENI's saying we are all related is so true... working in what I call the Queen & King section and it has flipped over into my dads lines .. interesting and intriguing couple of years ago I got so discouraged I dumped it all off my personal computer file now I am re-working it in its fun to see the tangled web of confusion...

Dylan....Your tree stops being solely 'your' tree the moment someone marries. And you DO have the right to hold a certain range of people as 'private'. (those close to you)....but tho you say that 4th cousin + others are not family you are contradicting your own actions....because surely King John (Lackland) and others that you are working back as far as the 1100's do not fit that criteria and yet you complain that 'others' are messing up your tree.

Make your mind up....

In addition to MyHeritage there is the World Family Tree..(I do not know if that is also a private tree building site)...which you have referred to. There are also numerous programs that allow you to build your own tree independent of other people.

Geni is not one of those...it is a collaborative site...we work together to research, and come to a concensus (based on the best sources available).and discuss the content of any new sources that effect a profile.

We also try to watch our language. It works much better when working with others, which is what you must learn to do if working in the far past.

Rafi Kornfeld (c) Yes, I know I'm not the painter. It is a better picture and they decided to use it, so yeah. Wow, so literal.

Judith "Judi" Elaine (McKee) Burns Your maiden name is McKee. I have McKees on my Mom's side. Wonder how closely related we are. Hard to research Irish records, though. Sort of all burned in the 1920s and the rest are locked up.

Fay Elizabeth Dyer Right now, I hardly care that my uncle's and my tree have merged. Now I have a bigger problem - I've merged with the world tree. I know 4th cousins + are family, but I hardly would welcome them into my house with open arms. I found King John an interesting research option, hence the bio I made. Maybe we have different opinions on why we're here at Geni.

Okay, if anyone could answer these two questions:

1. Can I copy my tree to another site, like MyHeritage, without having to input my information all over again or download it to my PC?

2. Can I view my tree with all generations on viewing only the profiles I manage or added prior to the acquisition of my tree by the curators?

If those two queries can be satisfied, I'll be happy. If not, Geni should work on that to meet others' needs and not just the needs of the curators. You're not that special if you're a curator, you only have more freedom. It's not like it's your job, but it would be a fun one, regardless.

Cheers and early Merry Christmas!

I'm not a curator....I am a Pro, like you....and Pro's can merge duplicate profiles..

So I'm one of the others whose needs are being met by my being on Geni...if yours are not, you can download your work (those profiles that you manage) to some other site...

Suggest to look at the bottom of the page for instructions on how to do that....

Private User
#1 The only way to copy any tree to another site is to download a GEDCOM to your computer and then upload it to another site like MyHerritage. Your information does not need to be inputted again.
#2 your tree was not "acquired" by curators. We work to improve the tree, not control it. In tree view, experiment with the options and see if you find a view you like.

Geni does not exist to make the handful (about 80) of curators happy.

Eldon Lester Clark What is a GEDCOM? I've heard that word before and if I can get my tree - not the world tree, but MY tree - to another site away from the damn curators, I'll be happy. I like the Geni interface, though. I'll miss it when I'm at MyHeritage. Also, I haven't discovered any view options that allow me to see profiles that only I manage. Sucks.

It seems like something as simple as a family tree site wouldn't be too complicated. Like seriously, have two trees. One separate away from the world and one world tree for everybody. User-friendly and everyody's happy. Someone should tell them that if they haven't already.

Also, what's the point in researching your family when there's nothing left to research once your tree is merged to the world tree? There's no surprising moments anymore. I look at the world tree and I see all these famous people and it's not interesting anymore. When I found out I'm related to Noah Webster, I exploded. I see I'm related to William the Conquerer. Pff, whatever. Means nothing to me now.

Private User

From https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/GEDCOM

The acronym for GEnealogical Data COMmunications. GEDCOM is a data structure created by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for storing and exchanging genealogical information so that many different computer programs can use it. It is identified by the file type ".ged".

GEDcom files are text files that contain the information and linkages necessary to exchange genealogical data between two entities. The entities may use the same or differerent software application.

To generate a ged file from Geni, follow the steps here:

http://help.geni.com/forums/367902-GEDCOM

Private User

For parts 2 & 3 of your questions.

========

Q: seriously, have two trees. One separate away from the world and one world tree for everybody. User-friendly and everyody's happy. ...

A: there is exactly that, it's called MyHeritage. Geni is the World Family Tree part of the MyHeritage family.

======================

Q: Also, what's the point in researching your family when there's nothing left to research once your tree is merged to the world tree? There's no surprising moments anymore. ...

A: Jaded so soon? :). That's not been my experience. I am always discovering new ancestors and cousins, and new research contributions - images, sources, citations, references, and especially -- original narrative biographies -- are very much needed & welcomed by the site.

It is true that it is likely Wikipedia got there before you did for the Kings of England, and Noah Webster has been heard of before, but I didn't know I was related.

Have you checked out Geni projects, by the way?

Oh, and Geni's interface **is** much nicer than many other sites, including MyHeritage. But that doesn't mean they can accomodate "unconnected" trees easily.

Private User

Sorry, missed another of the questions.

==============

Q: Also, I haven't discovered any view options that allow me to see profiles that only I manage.

A: if you customize your view options you will be better able to follow your direct line tree

Please follow the steps described here:

http://help.geni.com/entries/20041587-How-To-Customize-Your-Tree-Di...

I should also be clearer on "2. Can I view my tree with all generations on viewing only the profiles I manage or added prior to the acquisition of my tree by the curators?"

1. Your tree was not "acquired" by curators. Your profiles matched profiles that already existed. You accepted a merge proposal for those matches. Once "your" tree merged, it became a "shared" tree & subsequent profiles were merged in by profile managers. You retain edit rights to those profiles as a co manager.

2. No, you cannot see "only" the profiles you manage. Your profile for King John "Lackland" of England, for example, has been merged with 700 plus others. However using your view options will help you filter to explore the tree in different ways, and with less overwhelming of your computing resources.

For example, Geni does not break my phone, even though it's got such a tiny little brain.

For the GEDCOM - use Blood it carries both sets of parents down - also before you upload to another site or into your computer program go in and clean it up the GENI download brings so much un needed stuff down like all the merge change info from 1 to infinity - - also with the "" and the / \ in the name fields the names are not transferred properly into another program - most programs/GEDCOM reads it as Given name/middle name/surname or given & middle name/surname so the slashes are interpreted correctly anything after the first 2-3 slashes are lost in the name field when imported into anything other than GENI

I have invited you to the McKee projects I am not sure how we can find our "McKee' connection - the only one I am getting is through my mother who was Emery by birth

Erica Howton I never accepted any merge proposal.

Dylan I do not know how your tree became connected and NO curator or member can answer that question - we do not have access to the complete server logs.

Geni customer service, if you open a ticket, may be able to investigate and answer, but it would take time. As a PRO member, you, and ONLY you, can open a ticket with them.

As mentioned previously, please do take advantage of that service you have bought; you have more than reached the limit of what we fellow members can assist with, I'm sorry to say.

To repeat:

- There is a help link at the bottom of every Geni page, or you may click this link http://help.geni.com/home
- in the upper left please use the link "submit a request" or you may click this link http://help.geni.com/requests/new
- this will then be a private dialog between you and Geni

clearly this site isn't for some people that's for sure..

what is it about this site that seems to bring out all the people with attiudes anyway? I've accepted geni is not as perfect as i would like it to be and I've tried to help be supportive for the most part. what does he expect of us? we are only human.. and we really shouldn't be bashed for mistakes.. goodness knows i've made my fair share of them which has resulted in some angry people but I have since aplogized and made up with them..

The reason Geni is so good is that, try as we may, individuals sometimes make mistakes when building out a tree....whether because of lack of a good source, or following info from another PDF (personal data file) on the Web (notoriously known for having errors)....and the ability to ASK another researcher is of a great help....on Geni you can almost always find someone who will take the time to help in your research...help you look for the break in the 'brick wall' or find the information to either support a 'family tradition' or find where it was in error and help correct it.

I have found every range of Geni members to be helpful...from non-Pros, to fellow Pros...and, of course, the Curators...who often take more than a casual interest in helping out.

So...go wherever you wish....but don't shoot the messenger if they sometimes give you news that you don't particularly like...but often makes a heck of a lot more sense than the info you have....and has good sources to enforce a change in your thinking.

Fay Elizabeth Dyer I agree was talking about some one's uncalled for bashing of erica

Erica wrote:
"Q: Also, what's the point in researching your family when there's nothing left to research once your tree is merged to the world tree? There's no surprising moments anymore. ...

A: Jaded so soon? :). That's not been my experience. I am always discovering new ancestors and cousins, and new research contributions - images, sources, citations, references, and especially -- original narrative biographies -- are very much needed & welcomed by the site."

On this point I'm in agreement with Erica Howton

I have been doing my genealogy for almost 30 years now, and I'm still finding new information, new persons, new facts and I'm still asking the question of why nn travelled 3 valleys westward to find a wife (that is a long trip in Norway....) There will allways be more biographical information to find.

Reading a 300 page genealogical book about a family, and the only information it contains is the pure facts like birth, marriage, number of kids and death, is really boring. We need to find the persons life history, so the tale get interesting to read.

LOL. I always say that the problem with genealogy as a hobby is that as soon as you find one ancestor you have two more to look for. I should be so lucky to live long enough to work on every question in my files.

Right on Michael, Remi and Justin....

If you know me...I find 1 person and can support his/her place and then there is another, and another.....and next thing you know I'm in Texas, or Indiana, or even Hawaii....

I truly never expected that my family/s were so mobil....

As to the contributions of fellow members ALL.....I think sometimes of the Downeast hunor of 'Bert and I' who said, when asked by a stranger for directions......"You can't get there from here" (of course, in Maine dialect)....which pretty well is sometimes the situation when trying to track a particular person.....you are sure they are connected, but are missing a piece of the puzzle........the Geni members who have aided in finding those missing pieces have been astonishing.....(sometimes you just can't see the forest for the trees)....

I can't begin to say how many people have said....have you tried this, or that, or provided a source that somehow I had not previously found or found a source that is valid in a place you would not have ever thought of.

And Justin....we will never live to answer every question...but think of how many doors we have opened and how many 'rooms' we have finished in building our 'tree house'...

And the little tidbits of information...how things were done, why, what did settlers have to do to claim new lands and establish a town...and, like Remi said, why travel to wherever to find a mate...

And on and on....much like the search.

We have a T-shirt in our genealogical society where it is written on the back, translated to english: "Genealogy is fun. You solve one problem and get two more."

Picture of the red T-shirt with the norwegian text on the back: http://www.disnorge.no/cms/andre-produkter-og-avtaler.html

I majored in history....but have learned more about history since working at genealogy than in all my years of schooling.....

"In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue" just isn't enough anymore....why, how, for what reasons, where did he land, what did he find...how did he live....etc.etc.etc....

Amen, Fay, amen.

I want one of those T-shirts (in English).....can you talk to your genealogical society....they may have overlooked a great potential source of revenue..

Like Fay, I majored in history but there is nothing as motivating as wanting to understand the area, the region, the town, and the community your ancestor lived in. Since I joined Geni I have accumulated and read and retained history books on at least 10 cultures and eras I knew nothing about previously. I have taken a trip to Lithuania and Poland. I am now interested in the founding fathers and mothers of the Church of the Latter Day Saints. Who could have predicted where learning about my ancestors and their cousins would take me?

Do you remember, when growing up, asking your parents or teachers "Why?" and, for a while you would actually get an answer.....but later, if you were a curious sort....your answer would evolve to "Because I said so!".....

That seems to be the response too often with schools and some trees, and some histories.....how often has it been discovered that a history book was skewed and the 'facts' were not exactly as they really were....how often do teachers explain the dynamics of an era when teaching history...how often has anyone taken the time to actually READ the articles of settlement that the colonists were required to agree to in order to get their 'free land'....and has anyone noticed that families that were already associated with another family tended to migrate together to new locations.....so if you find X family (directly related to you) you most often find Y family close by....with additional intermarriages...How often do you see a profile and there is not ONE word in it about the person, not 1 source.....not even a recap of the family so that if an error or mis-match is made you would know who is actually a member and who was added to the wrong John Andrews (i..e.) family....

What prompted the continued migrations?....why would people leave an established area for another?....we all know about the large families that people had....was it more than just free labor on the farms, perhaps to be able to meet their obligations to have men available to serve in the militia or to have family members who could scope out any new lands being opened up and report back and advise whether the land and area was suitable for them?....we know that religious differences between the 'established' church and groups individual (or small group) would answer some questions regarding migration.....(and answer Hatte's some of the questions about the LDS church's foundation).....but I find I end up with more questions the more people I find.

Like Remi I want to 'flesh out' my people....to give them a bit more than just a name,date, and location......the reason I read the 'rules' for the town.

Did the immigrants have to sign up (or enlist) when a new posting for lands to be opened? Did they have to meet certain criteria? Were they asked questions like name, age, marital status, ages of children, occupation, ....before they were approved to be 'on the roster'.....

If I were thinking of establishing a new town and had only the tools of the era, etc WHO would be needed to do that....farmers (of course), a blacksmith would be super, a ferrier?, a miller (YES), a number of good carpenters (YES), joiners, doctor (Yes), and who else.....a town manager, a preacher, a schoolteacher, someone well-schooled as a town clerk and record keeper (we do have the 'sponsors' to answer to and prove that we are keeping to the contract)...

As I said, the questions go on and on....our ancestors deserve every bit of info we can find..and they deserve us only if we do them justice...

I think the answers must vary hugely from state to state. I doubt whether there was ever - or, at least, at all often - the level of organisation which you imply in your question, in identifying all the skills required for a new community and seeing that they were met. If there had been, it seems to me that there would have been a much greater likelihood of America simply replicating English society on a very conservative basis, rather as the Quebecquois replicated a semi-feudal France. The inventiveness of Americans from an early date was to a large extent a response to the fact that communities did NOT have all the specialists that an English village would have (and even if they did have a specialist, he would probably want much higher wages to compensate him for time which he could have spent looking after his own land, which he might not have been able to afford in England. Obviously early migrations involved recruitment, but how long this went on I am not sure. The "Mayflower" lot were self-selecting on religious grounds; they obviously made some provision for the needs of a new settlement but any shortcomings in planning could be shrugged off with "the Lord's Providence will provide". In Virginia Governor Berkeley recruited younger sons of the gentry with large land grants; they may have taken younger sons of the peasantry with them. Etc etc. I suspect that the religious element to emigration may well have persisted well into the eighteenth century; after all, non-Conformists were excluded from public jobs in England. Plus, of course, there were the "indentured labourers" (i.e. temporary slaves) who were sentenced to be sent to America rather than use up public money in England by being kept in prison. Someone must have done a study on how many of these there were, but I suspect a lot of the poor whites in the southern states may have originated with them. (In Barbados there is a whole community called the "Red Knees" who originate thus).

Mark