How do I put spouses in order by marriage date in Family Tree?

Article Id: 1718
August 30, 2023

Family Tree puts spouses in order based on the standardized marriage date. Couples with no marriage date show last.

Steps (website)

  1. Check each existing marriage date to be sure it is standardized:
    1. While signed in to FamilySearch.org, navigate to the Person page of the individual.
    2. If you do not see Vitals near the top of the page, click the Details tab.
    3. Scroll to the Family Members section.
    4. Under Spouses and Children, you can view the different relationships.
    5. Next to a marriage event, click the Edit icon .
    6. Under Marriage Events, find the marriage date, and click the Edit icon :
      • A calendar icon next to the date means that the date is already standardized, but even standardized dates could've been entered incorrectly. Make sure that the date makes sense. If not, continue with the next steps. If the date does make sense, click Cancel.
      • A green check mark with the label "Standardized Date" means you do not need to edit the information. Click Cancel.
      • A yellow triangle with the label "Nonstandardized Date" needs editing. Continue with the steps.
    7. Click inside the place field for the date.
    8. Press the space bar on your keyboard. A list of standard dates or places appears based on your entry.
    9. To replace the Nonstandardized date with the correct date, click the standard date in the drop-down menu that applies.
    10. Click Save.
    11. Repeat the steps as needed for each couple.
  2. Add any missing marriage dates, making sure they are standardized.
  3. Refresh the browser window.

Steps (mobile app)

  1. Check each existing marriage date to be sure it is standardized:
    1. In the Family Tree mobile app, navigate to the Person page of the individual.
    2. Tap the Spouses tab.
    3. Tap the drop-down arrow next to the spouse's name
    4. Next to the marriage date, tap the Edit icon.
    5. Tap Edit.
      • If the current date is listed again after Standard, you do not need to edit the information. Tap the back arrow or Cancel.
      • If you see nothing after Standard, or if the text reads, "No Standard Selected," continue with the steps.
    6. Tap the date. As you enter the date, standardized suggestions appear.
    7. Tap the standard date that applies.
    8. Tap Continue.
    9. Explain the reason for your change, and tap Save.
    10. Repeat the steps as needed for each couple.
  2. Add any missing marriage dates, making sure they are standardized.
  3. To refresh, close and reopen the app.

Steps (Family Tree Lite)

  1. Check the existing marriage date to be sure it is standardized.
    1. While signed in to Family Tree Lite, navigate to the Person page of the individual.
    2. Under the individual's name, click View Family.
    3. Under Spouses and Children, you can view the different marriage relationships.
    4. Click the Edit icon between the individual and the spouse.
    5. Click the current marriage date.
      • A date in a green box is standardized. You see the word "Standard." You do not need to edit the information and can click Back.
      • If the current date is not standardized, a yellow box appears that says, "No Standard Selected." In this case, the information needs edited. Continue with the steps.
    6. Click Edit.
    7. Enter a date similar to the example given. Click Save.
      • Family Tree Lite automatically standardizes dates and places as you add or edit them. You cannot choose a standard, but you can confirm whether your entry has been standardized by clicking the marriage date again.
    8. Repeat the steps as needed for each couple.
  2. Add any missing marriage dates, making sure they are standardized.
  3. Refresh the browser window.

Note: If the date is entered as Before, After, or About, the earliest Julian date is used for sorting. For example, if you enter "About 1900," the standardized Julian date range is 2 years. The earliest date is January 1, 1899, and the latest date is January 1, 1901.

How do I add or change marriage information in Family Tree?
How do I enter dates and places into Family Tree?
How do I request an update to the database of standardized place?
How do I add or change marriage information in Family Tree

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