7. Common Mistakes to Avoid

1 Avoid Creating Duplicate Family Members

Before adding a new member, check whether the person already exists in the Family Tree. The same person may be known by different names, spellings, or relationships in different branches. Creating duplicate profiles can split their relationships and make the Family Tree inaccurate. When you find that a person already exists, update or connect the existing member rather than creating another entry.

2 Do Not Assume Family Relationships

Avoid adding a parent, child, spouse, or sibling based only on assumptions or incomplete information. An incorrect relationship can affect multiple generations of the Family Tree. When there is uncertainty, verify the information with relatives or the relevant Branch Manager before adding or changing the relationship.

3 Take Care When Moving Members

Moving a member to another part of the Family Tree can affect how their relationships and branch connections are represented. Before moving a member, make sure you understand where they actually belong and check the relationships connected to them. If you are unsure, verify the information before making the change.

4 Correct Information Instead of Creating Another Record

If a member's name, personal details, or relationship is incorrect, avoid creating a new member simply to replace the existing information. Whenever possible, correct the existing information so that the person's relationships, history, and contributions remain connected to the same member.

5 Do Not Add Unverified Family History as Fact

Family stories and historical information can change as they pass from one generation to another. Avoid entering information as fact when it is only a memory, assumption, or unconfirmed story. When information cannot be verified, discuss it with knowledgeable relatives or other Branch Managers before adding it to the family's permanent record.

6 Avoid Sharing Information Without Consent

Do not publicly share sensitive or personal information about living family members without appropriate consideration for their consent and privacy. This includes personal contact details, photographs, life events, and other information that a person may not want to make publicly available. Use Famcling's visibility controls appropriately and respect each member's preferences.

7 Avoid Making Changes Without Checking Existing Information

Before adding or changing information, review what is already recorded in the Family Tree or Member Profile. Information contributed by another branch may contain details that are not known to you. Checking existing information first can prevent duplication, conflicting information, and unnecessary corrections.

8 Communicate When Branches Overlap

Different Branch Managers may sometimes have information about the same people or relationships, particularly where branches connect. Instead of independently making conflicting changes, communicate with the relevant Branch Manager or Family Admin to clarify the information. This helps preserve consistency and ensures that different contributions come together correctly.

9 Do Not Delete Valuable Family History Unnecessarily

Family information can become increasingly valuable over time, especially historical information, photographs, stories, and memories. Avoid deleting information simply because it is old, incomplete, or temporarily less relevant. Where possible, correct, update, or review the information instead, and use appropriate visibility or management options when something should not be publicly displayed.

A small mistake in a family record can affect the way future generations understand their family. When in doubt, verify, communicate, and correct rather than assume.