How do I know if I should accept or reject a FamilySearch match? Here is a good case in point. This is a newly transcribed record for a Corporal John R. Bowman. He was a Corporal from North Carolina in the 117th Infantry 30 Division during WWI. After typing in the information, and clicking on FamilySearch, you notice that FamilySearch comes up with a match with the same death year, but he is from the state of Massachusetts. Maybe I need to look at the record a bit more closely.
Making sure I am logged in to FamilySearch, I look at the match FamilySearch offered a bit more closely. Click on the name in blue under the FamilySearch Record.
FamilySearch has this record. Notice this man is from Maine. The man we have on record is from North Carolina. This is not the same individual.
Going back to my transcription, I can clearly see this is not the same person, so I reject the record.
A new box pops up. If you do not want to do anything further. Click the X and the window will go away.
EXTRA STEPS THAT ARE NOT NECESSARY BUT CAN BE A FUN CHALLENGE
If you desire to have this record added to FamilySearch and matched, you can create a PID number in FamilySearch and match this on your own.
Make sure you are logged in to FamilySearch. Click on FamilyTree.
Since this is my personal tree, and I don't want my birthdates or family information out there, I can't show you all of the information on the screen, but can give you steps. Click Recents.
Next, click Add Unconnected Person
Add in the information on the headstone. Click Next.
Click Create Person.
FamilySearch just created a new individual. Type in his burial information, by clicking on add.
After typing in the burial information click save.
Click on Sources.
Click on Add Source
Fill in the boxes. It can be very simple. Click Save.
Notice the record now has both a burial and a source for other researchers to find their loved one.
Go back to the transcription page and add in the new Personal Identification Number or PID number: G7JQ-PQ7
Type in the new PID number and click "Save Match".
Both records are now matched to FamilySearch.
Remember...you do not need to take these extra steps if you do not want to.
It can be challenging to match female records to FamilySearch unless you have the maiden name. It is not also great at matching records in many other countries outside of the US. (US record collections have been around on the internet for much longer than other countries.)
This is where creating PID numbers become very important, as it can help people world-wide find their family members.
For additional information on matching BillionGraves records to FamilySearch, click HERE.