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One of the new popular apps from FamilySearch is Relatives Around Me app available on the FamilySearch Tree app for mobile devices. It works when there are other people using the app in the same limited area. The app is both interesting and entertaining. But am I really related to all those people who show up on the app? The other day at the Brigham Young University Family History Library, one of the patrons wanted to know if we were related and yes, we were. In fact, quite closely and easily verified. But what about remote relationships such as the one illustrated above?
The basic premise of the app is that the relationships shown in the FamilySearch.org Family Tree are accurate. Sorry, but this is not always the case. If I look closely at the pedigree shown above that I got by clicking on View-My-Relationship, I find that one of the links has only one source and was born in a place that is relatively distant from the place where his father is listed as living. I would assume that these people were not related. Additionally, I find additional sources listed for the person known as Robert Yates and he was born in Oswaldtwistle, Blackburn, and none of the other listed children or his parents were born in Blackburn.
This pedigree is basically an invitation to do some research. Its value showing an accurate relationship is minimal and very likely inaccurate. Before you start embracing your newly discovered relatives, I would do a little bit of basic research to see if the links are logical, consistent, and supported by the sources cited. Of course, if there are no sources and the relationship is faulty, then ignore the connection.
why is it necessary to have the people using "Find My Relatives" be within 100 ft or each other? If you are working with a friend/relative at a distance BUT who are doing so at the same time will it work? I.e. if I am on PDT and my friend is on MDT, wouldn't the app work?
ReplyDeleteFor people to appear in the app, they need to be within the same WIFI network and both have their phones open to the same app. That limits the distance.
DeleteYou can now see your relationship with someone without the app. You can go into your Settings and allow people to see how you're related and anyone else can see how they are related to you.
ReplyDelete