Disputed parentage help page

[Lianne Lavoie]

Hi all,

Sorry if you get this message multiple times, but I wanted to get all the user groups in on this.

In the WikiEuroAristo group, we've had some discussions about what to do when the parents of a person are not known for sure. I think we've come to agreement on quite a few points, so I've started the help page for this topic: http://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Disputed_parentage

I haven't written much there so far, just outlined the topic mostly. I want everyone's input. I started on the "Two possible sets of parents" section. This is what I've written so far (feel free to pick it apart, add to it, etc.!):

When there are two or more theories about who a person's parents could have been, it is best not to add any of them in the parent fields of the profile. Instead, all theories can be explained in the biography section of the profile.

Obviously more detail could be added there. I think it would also be good for each section to have a link to a profile that nicely demonstrates that policy being used, so suggestions are welcome on that, too. Let me know what you think!

~Lianne

[Lianne Lavoie]

I've added more to the help page: http://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Disputed_parentage

 

For a single set of likely parents, I added:

"If there is only one theory about who a person's parents were, and it is generally accepted to be true, even if it isn't completely proven, they should be set as the parents of that person. Then, in the biography section, you can explain that it isn't certain, and cite the evidence that supports it."

 

For a single set of fanciful parents, I added:

"If, on the other hand, a person's parents are unknown, but there is a fanciful theory about them, which doesn't have evidence supporting it, it is better not to link those profiles in the parent fields. Instead, simply explain the theory in the biography section.

An example of this can be seen on the profile of Michel Richard."

This sums up what we've discussed in the groups (particularly WikiEuroAristo). I know I'm not much of a writer, though (says the blogger, haha), so feel free to reword, nitpick, etc, or to argue for a change in the guidelines themselves!

Thanks!

~Lianne

On 14 March 2012 10:42, Lianne Lavoie <lianne...@gmail.com> wrote:

Actually, Chris has mentioned something like that. He suggested that we might add the confidence levels to the parent fields. So if the parents were uncertain, you would see [uncertain] next to the parents' names on the profile. I love this idea, as it would let us connect profiles to parents that we're *pretty sure* are correct, while still letting people know that it's not 100% certain.

 

~Lianne

On Saturday, March 10, 2012 4:36:36 PM UTC-6, John_Estano_DeROCHE wrote:

I have an idea, but I suppose it would require reprogramming, so might not be at all efficient. Here goes:

 

Could we have a code/cross-link or something to enter in the “field” for a dubious parent, that would cue the viewer to check the bio, or something like that?

 

Same kind of device would be helpful in a situation (such as I encountered in my own family tree) where I knew “all about” both the “natural” and the “adoptive” parents of a person.  (As the best solution available so far, I followed the advice of Wikitree gurus to deal with it in the person’s Bio, just as you’ve noted here, Lianne.)

 

-       John  http://www.wikitree.com/wiki/DeRoche-14

 

(The link to the adoption case is: http://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Spindler-13 )

 

John deRoche

House phone 1-902-850-2835

Cell phone 1-902-449-2271

 

86 Lakewood Dr

BROOKSIDE (Halifax),  Nova Scotia

Canada B3T 1S5

jder...@eastlink.ca

--

Lianne Lavoie, BCSc
An Effort in Green

Stories of a Canadian Family

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