6

Ability to link non-family members to profiles with descriptions

Sam Willsea

February 16, 2011 10:59

None

Follow

I would really love to have the ability to link important (non-blood related) profiles to my ancestor's profile, similar to the way other media is currently attachable.

This would allow users to keep links to important people relevant to the target profile. For example, if it is known that an ancestor rented land from a certain lord, it would be useful to have that profile linked to the ancestor's profile, with a small description explaining the relationship.

Similarly, it would be useful for attaching god-parents, adopted children, commanding officers in the military, family servants, apprentices, business partners, and a large number of other important links that will aid users in truly understanding how people relate to each other.

This feature should also allow for the creation of profiles which are unlinked to any tree directly straight from the new 'link non-family member' dialogue.

6 comments

• 0
  
  Joe Brous Buttrill February 16, 2011 17:47

  I have linked your profile in the "About" section of the "Overview" tab of my profile, [http://www.geni.com/people/Joe-Buttrill/6000000003285343924 Joe Buttrill]. Does this meet your needs?

• 0
  
  Sam Willsea February 16, 2011 19:10

  Thanks Joe. It works as a rough way of tracking people, but I think it would be really nice to have a designated section for profiles, perhaps as a section underneath immediate family.

  Having a visual representation, as well as a defined category, would be really helpful, as would the built in ability to quickly add profiles which are currently unconnected to any tree, but may be linked up in the future.

  Most importantly though, having a designated section would standardise the practice and encourage more people to add relevant profiles, the same way adding source citations has made it much easier and more common for people to cite their information. It was always possible before to source your material in the about me section, but having a specific category for it makes a real difference, and adds another point of interest and /or goal for which users can aim for.

• 0
  
  Joe Brous Buttrill February 16, 2011 20:16

  The link to Sam Willsea's profile, which was added to my profile in the "About" section of my "Overview" tab to illustrate a point, has been removed.

• 0
  
  Sam Willsea February 20, 2011 20:14

  What does the Geni team think of the idea? I think it has enormous potential to help add depth to profiles, in the same way that other media does. I'd love to hear more input!

• 0
  
  Sam Willsea March 15, 2011 17:18

  Again, any thoughts?

• 0
  
  David Prins March 17, 2011 05:53

  I like the idea.  In the absence of this feature, I would encourage use of the About Me as illustrated by Joe.