This presentation by James L. Tanner addresses the critical balance between the power to edit the FamilySearch Family Tree and the responsibility to ensure those changes are accurate and source-driven. It identifies several common destructive behaviors, such as merging individuals based solely on name similarities, importing unverified GEDCOM data, and creating "placeholder" profiles without historical evidence. To combat these issues, the author emphasizes the necessity of thorough background research and highlights new "Owner Trees" features that allow researchers to maintain private, controlled versions of their genealogical work. Ultimately, the presentation serves as a guide for using both traditional research methods and emerging AI tools responsibly to preserve the integrity of shared family history.
