fabricated family trees

[jettejjane]

I was about to post a question that relates to this one but thought I would tack it on this here, hope that's ok?

We all know to take nothing from other trees without doing our own research. Although I didn't realize that when I started this! Now here is my question, would it be bad form to ask a tree owner where they got their information. I got very confused with a grandfather. I know 100% who he married, where he was from and children. On several trees grandfather and wife are incorrect but children are ok.  Maybe they have taken from other trees. I looked for these bogus grandparents on ancestry and other sites- nothing found. So where did they come from?

I must admit to having a few self doubts, even though I have proof. What if  there were 2 different families all sharing same names and date of birth. Nah-that's stretching it a bit, isn't it

[groom]

Now here is my question, would it be bad form to ask a tree owner where they got their information.

I would ask, however, don't be surprised if you don't get a reply, as you say a lot of people have just taken information from other trees because the name is correct. If you are 100% sure of your information, either because you knew your grandfather, or because you have original certificates, I wouldn't worry what other people have on their trees. You know that you are right. Some people might appreciate being told, but majority will just ignore you.

[jettejjane]

Yes I am 100% sure. Think I will let sleeping dogs lie (is that right spelling?)
 I have just spent 30 minutes looking again just for fun,  nothing!  I can't understand people just adding names to their trees without research what is the point?  For me it's the thrill of the chase and the detective work and the pleasure it gives me when I break down or nibble away at brick walls.

[majm]

I must admit to having a few self doubts, even though I have proof. What if  there were 2 different families all sharing same names and date of birth. Nah-that's stretching it a bit, isn't it

No, it is not stretching it a bit.   Even in New South Wales, Australia, back when the population of the colony of NSW was about 70,000 (so about 1856) there were 'duplicated/triplicated' names of husband/wife and children.   So, of that 69,173 people in NSW, ONLY 26,087 were born in Australasia (so born New Zealand, Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia or New South Wales including what became Queensland).   There were how many      John and Mary Smith couples, with children named John, Mary, James, Jane, ..... well .... there were plenty...  And same with John and Mary Brown and their 4 children, and Mr & Mrs Jones and their four children .....
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=660501.0

So even with such a small population base as NSW in 1850s in the middle of a gold rush, there were families with same names and sharing same dates of birth .....   

To me, it is not at all un-expected that there will be possibilities of finding families with same dates of birth, same names etc.... 

Surely it is part of the challenge when enjoying family history research to strive to find ALL the possibilities and then using those same techniques to strive to eliminate as many as possible.  All the while remembering that this is simply research, theory, and a non life threatening hobby.

Cheers,  JM
 

[jettejjane]

Surely it is part of the challenge when enjoying family history research to strive to find ALL the possibilities and then using those same techniques to strive to eliminate as many as possible.  All the while remembering that this is simply research, theory, and a non life threatening hobby.

Cheers,  JM
 

Thanks for link I will look at it in depth tomorrow.

Yes I am looking at all the possibilities and yes only a hobby but I want to get it right, nothing goes on my tree that can't be proved. I have a few possibles I am working on at the moment they look good but.....
It's a wonderful hobby, frustrating and fun, only been doing it few years.

Jane

[Rosinish]

That would depend on your contract with the researcher.
If you contract was to pay for the time he spent on research probably not.
If your contract was to produce an accurate tree as far back as he could probably yes.

Surely, if someone pays someone to research their "family tree" & the researcher produces a "tree" which does not correspond with what was asked for then surely.........regardless of "time spent on research", he has not produced the goods asked for as in the person's "family tree" 

Annie

[majm]

That would depend on your contract with the researcher.
If you contract was to pay for the time he spent on research probably not.
If your contract was to produce an accurate tree as far back as he could probably yes.

Surely, if someone pays someone to research their "family tree" & the researcher produces a "tree" which does not correspond with what was asked for then surely.........regardless of "time spent on research", he has not produced the goods asked for as in the person's "family tree" 

Annie

How does the customer become aware that the researcher has not produced the goods/services asked for, and what compensation does the customer have the right to expect?   

I would expect the Goods/Service Provider has a "get out of jail" card in the print of the contract. 

https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Hiring_a_Professional_Researcher

Cheers,  JM

[jettejjane]

[quote author=majm link=topic=716241.msg5600454#msg5600454 date=1427081

How does the customer become aware that the researcher has not produced the goods/services asked for, and what compensation does the customer have the right to expect?   

I would expect the Goods/Service Provider has a "get out of jail" card in the print of the contract. 

https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Hiring_a_Professional_Researcher

Cheers,  JM
[/quote]

How can we ever know the answers we get are correct? I have found the further back I go the less records are available. Which also takes me back to the earlier comment about names. In my Redman family the same names were used from generation to generation until 1940`s. Add to that the other Redmans also using the same names and living in the same parish. In 1600's I have 3 Edwards who fit the bill, fathers and sons were Edward all from same place! Even spouses names the same.

All I can be sure of is back to 1800 from documents kept in family and what my father and grandfather have told me. I think I have it worked out-or have I. 

Jane

[StevieSteve]

 I looked for these bogus grandparents on ancestry and other sites- nothing found. So where did they come from?

Let's not forget that not all information is online.

Yes, if someone found something offline, you'd like them to provide a citation, but i/ the method for doing so on Ancestry is a bit of a PITA and ii/ not everybody uses their Ancestry tree as their final output, it could be a perfectly citationed source on their home computer

Another vote for "Might as well ask them"