Tree Errors
Unlike some of the magazine’s correspondents (Letters, November), it doesn’t really bother me if other people copy my information or photos incorrectly into their family trees. That’s their problem, not mine. However, when looking at other trees I do find it sad that many people’s main – sometimes only – sources are other peoples’ trees, rather than original documents. It’s no wonder that so many errors get propagated.
What does annoy me on Ancestry is that after people have copied my photos, they are offered back to me as hints to add to my tree! I’ve raised it with them, but nothing has been done.
Another of your correspondents (December) suggests making trees private if people get upset when photos are incorrectly copied. Personally I don’t feel it right that people with private trees should be allowed to borrow from public trees. I think they should be made to ask permission first, just like others have to approach them to ask for anything. Seems only fair to me.
Alan Weeks, by email