Merging two wrong names

Question

Asking for a friend :)

Is it best to correct both names before merging, change the final profile to the correct name before merging, or correct the name after merging?

Thanks!

Comments

I believe the correct procedure is to correct the LNAB on one of the profiles, then merge the 2nd profile into the new/corrected profile.

We don't want to correct both profiles because that would create an unnecessary redirect.

---

Thanks, I'll go with that.

Answer 1

I don't think there would be any point in correcting both names before merging, but here's the official explanation:

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Help:Project_Protecting_and_Merging#Background:_The_multiple_redirects_problem

It doesn't appear that there would be any difference between your other two alternatives, unless I'm missing something about the process and result.

Comments

I was wondering if correcting the final profile's name before merging would lead to one less redirect, but it's all way over my head!

---

Doubt it.  Merging Profile A into Profile B, whatever the name, creates a redirect.  Whether the name is Smith into Smith, or Smith into Jones, there will still be a redirect.  You can't lessen it.

---

The best plan.is to correct the name on just one profile before merging, then merge into that profile. I think that reduces the number of redirects, and I know thst it makes it somewhat easier to research the change history than if the name is changed after merging.

---

Thanks Ellen, that seems the most logical.