There are many threads about the name-gatherers, leaf-clickers and junkologists, but I hope what I am about to propose has enough merit to be considered.

Almost every day someone links to my tree – sometimes accurately but, often, without a thought – just in a hurry to click that wiggling leaf.

A recent example: James Edwin Smith 1814-1882, born, died and buried in Georgia. I don’t know for certain, but he probably never left Georgia – perhaps never set foot outside of Oglethorpe County.

Recently the photo of his grave marker has been copied to a Smith 1814-1881 in Taunton, Bristol, Massachusetts, along with a member connect to my tree. We know Smith is a common name, so perhaps this is not the best example, but it was the most recent in a long line.

I’ve contacted the owner of the other tree and explained and asked, but, as is often the case, no response and no correction.

In such a case, I would like the ability to break that member connect. Since it is not valid, removing it would, one hopes, keep the error from being perpetuated by other copyists or at least slow the roll.