How do I merge duplicate records in Family Tree when they have duplicate sources?

Article Id: 1003
November 01, 2022

If a merge fails, try the merge in the opposite order (switch places with the 2 records). If the merge still fails, check to see if either record contains a duplicate source.

Steps (website)

  1. Sign in to FamilySearch.org, and navigate to the Person page for either record.
  2. Click Sources.
  3. Scroll down the list, and find the source that you want to view. To see the detail, click the source.
  4. Review each website address for possible duplicates.
    1. The URL of sources on the record could be different for duplicate sources.
      • For example, "https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JS4X-H4L" and "https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JS4X-H4L" are actually the same source even though one has "ark:" and the other "pal:" in the website address.
      • The last several characters of both website addresses are the same.
  5. On one of the duplicate sources, click Detach.
  6. Enter a reason statement for detaching the source.
  7. Click Detach.
  8. Try to merge the records again.

Steps (mobile app)

  1. In the Family Tree mobile app, navigate to the Person page for one of the records. You can only view one record at a time on the mobile app. Record information as you switch between the records to check for duplicate sources.
  2. Tap Sources.
  3. To see details, tap an individual source.
  4. Review each website address for possible duplicates.
  • The sources on the record can have slightly different website addresses.
    • For example, "https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JS4X-H4L" and "https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JS4X-H4L" are actually the same source even though one says "ark:" and the other has "pal:" in the website address.
    • Look for almost the same thing within the last 10 characters of both website addresses.
  1. In the top-right portion of the screen, tap the 3 dots as you view one of the duplicate sources.
  2. Tap Detach.
  3. Try the merge again.

Steps (Family Tree Lite)

Family Tree Lite does not include the Sources feature.

If you do not find duplicate sources, or you still cannot merge, contact FamilySearch Support.

How do I remove sources from people in Family Tree?
How do I decide if 2 records in Family Tree are about the same person?
How do I undo a merge in Family Tree?

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