Etiquette for adding people to a family tree online

[ronoc]

My father a Murray born in Dublin was the great grandson son of a"Murray" born in Glasgow.  My father had no siblings that lived to adulthood neither did his father.  So when I starting searching in Scotland I discovered my 2 g.grandfather came from a large family of Murray's who emigrated originally from Co Monaghan Ireland in the 1850's   As the records in Scotland are so good I have managed to trace family members rights up to 1960's and 70's.

I feel a bit uneasy adding these living people to my tree - I don't know them and they don't know me. - they would be 2nd and 3rd cousins.

I have never had any Murray relations  - I have cousins in Ireland from my mother's family whom I know and don't have a problem adding them but I am unsure about adding people I don't personally know who are still living.

I am wondering what is the general rule of thumb ?? 

[jim1]

It's more than a rule of thumb,the answer is don't add anyone still living without their permission.

jim

[Ruskie]

I would add living people to my tree, but I am the only person who sees it. It is not published anywhere online or given to anyone. Any time I do pass on information I do not include any recent generations.

If you have your tree online, you can just write 'living' rather than mentioning names.

I would not like to be included on anyone's public tree, but I'm sure some people would not mind.

And of course you can try contacting them to ask for permission, and that also applies to the relatives you know - just because you know them don't assume that you can include them on an online tree without their permission. 

[suey]

jim is right -

How nice of you to actually stop and think before adding names.  A lot of people would just go ahead without a seconds thought.

If I were you I would keep private notes on this part of your family tree, I think that's what most of us do.

Suey

[ronoc]

thanks for your reply, Jim1 Ruskie & Suey,

I think you guys are right about the permission bit,  I personally wouldn't mind being added if I knew who the owner of the tree was and what the connection was.

I won't add and will keep private notes   

    suey - I must have been having a moment - bit like your Motto "  the lights are on..........

thank you all for your comments and keeping me on the right track.

[suey]

"  the lights are on.........."

I've used that motto since day one, it was one of my Mums favourite sayings for anyone, well you know...

[ronoc]

P.S.    Meant to add, how easy (and a little scary) it is with modern technology to find someone if you want to   

[supermoussi]

I would add living people to my tree, but I am the only person who sees it. It is not published anywhere online or given to anyone.

Bear in mind that websites are frequently hacked into or suffer other security leaks. Identity theft and stalking are increasing problems so I wouldn't recommend anyone adding living peoples' details to ANY website to help protect them in the future. Just because you select an option to "hide" people's details doesn't mean that hackers won't be able to get to the information.

NEVER count on websites being able to protect any information.

[Greensleeves]

I agree with the previous comment;  the major problem with putting information about living people on a public website is that this attracts people with evil intent.  Rather than add them to your tree, maybe you could contact them to tell them of your relationship to them and, as has been suggested, keep their details somewhere which is not published on the internet so that you don't 'lose' them again!

Regards
GS