Use of title field - putting in personal numbers

I asked her about it. She responded:

Some curators said we should put it in the current spot. Another said we should put it in the suffix. Now it seems neither is acceptable?

The purpose of the number is to aid in correct identification of similar profiles and to prevent incorrect merges.

The purpose of the number is only realized when the number actually shows up in regular searches.

My understanding is that the information in a custom field does not show up in regular searches. This needs to be resolved.

Meanwhile please do feel free to remove any numbers from any profile that you find necessary.

Thanks
Rosella

I certainly would point out that doing this would reduce the chance of matching profiles being alerted. If they insist they MUST have the numbers then theCustom field or possibly suffix would be preferable but still not advised.

Terry

The numbers is not the part of the name - they are not in passports or at ID carsds.

Yup - remove them.
https://wiki.geni.com/index.php/Naming_Conventions

Principle #2
Do not include an index ID numbering scheme in the person's name - if it's not part of their name, suffix (e.g. I,II) or a title, don't put it in the name fields.

(Did the original two posts from this thread disappear?)

For anyone unfamiliar with the South African numbering system, I'd suggest a quick read of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genealogical_numbering_systems#de_Vil...

My recollection from past conversations is that Geni does not oppose the numbers because they're so important in the South African genealogy community. But I believe the best place to discuss this would be in the South African portal, since they're the experts and have worked out their own guidelines for how numbering is used on Geni.

Private User, I thought the South African compromise was for users to put them in their display name, not remove them entirely. The wiki might be out-of-date on this one?

Hoping some South African curators arrive to weigh in soon. :) I'll withhold further comment until they do.

I agree with you all that number is NOT part of name. Perhaps if they still want it, suggest to input under "Known As" field as further reference.

It seems some messages disappeared from this discussion.
So to clarify the numbers under discussion are in the title field.
(See also https://www.geni.com/discussions/204182)

Putting the numbers in the Also Know As might be a good alternative for now, but it would help more if the custom fields became searchable.

The South African guidelines for Geni users stand as follows:

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South African Genealogical numbering system DVN/DVP

Please DO NOT add these to any field other than the SUFFIX field, AKA or About
These numbers MUST NOT be added to the surname, added as a middle name or used in a display name. They can be recorded in the SUFFIX field. The SUFFIX field is not editable in the "add a profile" menu, options are limited to a drop-down Menu. When you go back into the edit screen you can enter a suffix other than those previously available.

The genealogical numbers used in the South African tree was introduced in the 19th Century by C.C. de Villiers. (DVN or DVP) The old Pama/De Villiers genealogies were used by the HSRC and later GISA to compile the SAG volumes covering the years 1652 to 1830. This set of 17 books were completed in 2011. Then GISA started to produce the new set covering the years 1652 to 1930. This is now called SAF (SA Families).

In this system the genealogical number of the South African Stamouer/progenitor is “a” (although on the South African Geni tree we us SV/PROG instead), and his children are numbered chronologically “b1”, “b2”, “b3” etc.; his grandchildren are the ‘c” generation, great grandchildren “d” and so on. (e.g. b1c3d5e2f5g8 etc.)

In order to make the numbers less cumbersome and untidy on the tree the recommendation is that the full number, (2b4c6d7e7f5), be added to the AKA field and only the last two generations, (e7f5), used in the suffix field.

Please Note: This numbering system is not obligatory. It is not universally endorsed by everyone. You do not have to add them, but if you do, please respect the request above. If you do not wish to see them displayed then you do have the option to hide them in your preferences - something that can be done temporarily whilst viewing the South African tree.

If there was more than one SV/PROG then they would be SV/PROG1/ SV/PROG2 etc. and their family would be numbered SV1b2c6 etc. or SV2b4c6d7 etc.

https://www.geni.com/projects/South-African-Genealogical-Reference-...

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Geni should perhaps have a reference number for such uses as Alexander above states. For research purpoes this would be ideal and it wouldn't mess with the purpose of any other field.

I agree the SV/PROG number should be searchable. And the AKA field is not as limited as the other fields.

This does not seem a no brainier. Have those that started those particular profiles with with files with index numbers, suffixes, and have them removed from the personal data base, and relocate them to the profile overview. It seems to me that this would be the most acceptable place to secure them in reference to that particular profile. This should reduce some of your conflicts.