Is it acceptable practice to give a source link to the person's "profile page" on Family Tree at FamilySearch? [closed]

Question

For my direct family, I usually try to give source links to the original source at a free site such as FamilySearch, Quebec National Archives or Library and Archives Canada. However, I usually do a much briefer profile for "in laws" family and am asking if it is acceptable to simply provide a link to the person's "source page" at FamilySearch, Family Tree?

Thanks, Jim

Comments

I don't think it's acceptable as the only source, but can be useful as a "see also" source.  It will save people the time of looking for the profile on FS themselves.

In my experience, some FS profiles have useful links.  Others are useless.

Edit:  As John Atkinson notes in an answer, a FS profile may be officially acceptable as the only source for a WT profile, depending on its time frame.  But (my opinion) adding more sources would be much more helpful.

Answer 1

Hi Jim

As you perhaps already know, WikiTree has different standards for the quality or reliability of sources.  For those profiles born 1700 and after, then even unsourced family trees from FamilySearch, or elsewhere, are acceptable to at least start a profile.  However pre-1700 profiles have to have reliable sources.

My personal opinion is that for those profiles born before 1700, even if the FamilySearch tree is sourced, it is still better to actually try to find and cite the original source/s.

Also, it is my understanding that FamilySearch profiles, like WikiTree profiles, can change over time, people can add sources, remove sources, change some details etc, and you might like to consider whether the FamilySearch Family Tree is going to remain, as it is, at the time you cite it on your "in laws" family profiles?

Comments

Thank you to those who answered this.

Jim

Answer 2

I am just a crew member, without much experience, but I believe that would be acceptable.

Answer 3

I appreciate the FamilySearch source pages as a compilation of census, marriage, death, and other records indexed for the person/family in question.  Those pages may have a useful fan chart for that person also.  Always verify!

Answer 4

I often add a Family Search link, with other sources, as a reminder to check for additional sources.  I'm now, adding more research notes, and include the links, there.

Comments

I have seen a great many of the Family Search profiles I started with before I found Wikitree, improve, over time, as they do here.