Wrong info on Ancestry Trees

[Romilly]

I know that lots of Public Trees on Ancestry have errors, - but it's particularly annoying when you've messaged people pointing them out, and they reply saying they'll correct them, - and don't!!!

Especially when it's your direct ancestors, i.e Great Grandparents and Grandparents, - and not only are the dates wrong, but some of the surnames are incorrect too!

I don't suppose there's any point complaining to Ancestry?

What do people on here do in these circumstances?

Romilly

[rosie17]

Although it's hard best just to ignore them as long as you know you have the correct information
I normally make a comment to the person on their tree pointing out they have the wrong information

Rosie

[Romilly]

Thanks Rosie.

I know that you’re right, and it’s best to ignore it, - but it’s still extremely annoying!

Romilly

[rosie17]

Thanks Rosie.

I know that you’re right, and it’s best to ignore it, - but it’s still extremely annoying!

Romilly

Agree with you it is very annoying 


Rosie

[LeedsHipPriest69]

Ancestry should take some responsibility here and put a marker against blatant errors in trees. otherwise it further spirals out of control as others copy the data.

I've come across trees with errors where people have used some ancestors as part of their tree but with different parents, then when you look at their source its to the correct information with the correct parentage, but these fools have used as evidence for their tree, these are basic errors or worse laziness.

I've messaged a few people in recent months, and you do sometimes get grateful thanks back, whilst others ignore, but it's not always bad.

The other week i contacted someone, not to point out an error but to ask for the source of a photograph, anyhow as a result of this contact I've been able to share newspaper report of a shared ancestor that suffered a tragic death, along with another which was a comical death, and its not just the sharing of info but the fact she was then able to give that info and copy a photo I had on my tree to her own mother who is suffering as a result of memory loss and rekindle her memories.

[rosie99]

According to 2 trees my father was 8 years old when he married someone who was not my mother 
I have pointed it out to both tree owners but it remains unchanged 

The 'Geneanet Community Trees Index' that show up as hints on Ancestry doesn't help either as that is also perpetuating these errors.

[Andrew Tarr]

Ancestry should take some responsibility here and put a marker against blatant errors in trees. otherwise it further spirals out of control as others copy the data.

Not a chance, especially in these days (years?) of conspiracy theories and fake news.  Most people continue to believe what they want to, even when you are 101% certain you are right.  And that is assuming they are bothered about correctness in the first place 

[Sandrafamilytree]

A few months ago I noticed an error on a tree – not a close relative of mine, but I thought I would point it out to the tree owner.

The owner had uploaded a lovely photograph of their ancestor’s house, together with a map and an arrow showing its location.

I live in the area and suspected it was incorrect and so I checked the relevant Census document.

Their ancestor lived about a mile away from that location, in a street with a very similar name. When I want to be sure about addresses I scroll forwards and backwards in the Census to check the enumerator’s route, and so I know I was correct.

I messaged them to explain. They did acknowledge the message and said they would look into it.
They still have the incorrect address, photo and map in place.

It’s their loss I suppose – they don’t live in the area, and I was going to offer to take a photo of the correct property for them, had they shown any real interest. (Or maybe I'm being unkind and they just have other priorities in their life!)

However, because Ancestry users love photos so much, many people have copied, perhaps assuming that anyone who has gone to the trouble of uploading a photo and creating a map is bound to be correct.

So these days, if I spot something I’m pretty sure about I just add a polite note to the tree – then others might spot the note and think twice about copying the tree's information without checking it first.

[Romilly]

According to 2 trees my father was 8 years old when he married someone who was not my mother 
I have pointed it out to both tree owners but it remains unchanged 

The 'Geneanet Community Trees Index' that show up as hints on Ancestry doesn't help either as that is also perpetuating these errors.

That’s dreadful Rosie!

In my case, the same wrong information has also been put onto Trees on the My Heritage Site and I’ve now turned off the ‘Smart Matches’ facility on there.

I wasn’t aware that notes can be added to Trees other than one’s own on Ancestry; I’ll have a look at that!

Romilly