![](https://www.geni.com/images/external/x_com_black_16.png?1721673225)
![](https://www.geni.com/images/facebook_white_small_short.gif?1721673225)
Conventions for Profile Management on the Greek branch of the "World Family Tree" (WFT)
The Naming Conventions outlined in this project conform to:
The intention is to minimize data conflicts and optimise consistency in the GENi matching /merging technology & ensure that we do not find ourselves with names in the wrong fields when the GENi software engineers release program enhancements.
When writing Greek names in English, the policy of GENi is to transliterate in line with the current international method mandated by the National Hellenic Passport Centre. Though at times this may vary from the longstanding and preferred spelling of some names, it is deemed necessary in order to maintain consistency and avoid past practices of having the same name represented in multiple ways. To see your Greek name transliterated into English, click the Passport Centre Translator, use
the left column and enter your name in Greek. If you have an alternative translation for a name please enter it into the relevant language.
By joining as a collaborator you also indicate your support for these Guidelines.
On profiles where there is only one manager, fields can be used to suit individual preferences. If that profile is subsequently merged with another then the guidelines outlined here should be applied. However to avoid Data Conflicts occurring upon merging, following of these Conventions is recommended.
There is an option in the name preference settings to ignore middle names. It is suggested that you set these NOT to ignore middle names as profiles are filled in both ways by users and valuable information may be hidden from you if your preferences are set otherwise. Having the names entered either way does not affect the search tool. See Middle Name Options illustrated
The multilingual tab (see Add Language in top line of profile edit window) can be used for "officially" used additional names. (Do not translate names, only record differences in spelling as used in source records)
English will remain the default language for names on Geni, however if a profile has a different name or character set in another language (e.g. Greek), you can add it easily by clicking the “Add Language…” button and selecting the Greek language. Doing so will display the Greek name in its original form.
Generally speaking the name to use is the one that is on a primary or "official" document – usually Birth or Baptismal records, and later documents such as Death Notices, Identity cards and Passports.
It is also best to add any nicknames in the AKA field - please do not include using brackets etc in the first, middle and display name fields.
Spell the Surname as it was used by the family in documents at the time. There are accepted spellings for most names, and it is acceptable to record a variation if that is the way the family uses it. Take Theotokis as an example - some families have always used Theotoky - but others use Teotochi. If you have personal knowledge of a family’s way of spelling a name, especially in more recent years, then you need to use that, but also add a note in the “About me” section or in the AKA field.
Using de and della etc.
Married women from the continent (France, Holland, Germany) are unlikely to have used their husband’s surnames and this field may be left open if they died before 1800. However, other records most often show a woman's married name. Geni management has asked us to represent the documentation possibilities accurately. So do not delete any married names in order to replace them with Maiden Names. Just set your Viewing Preferences in order not to view the Married Name/Surname field, if you don't wish to see them.
In the case of multiple marriages / surname changes over a lifetime, leave the last name the person used on death in the surname field and add all the other married surnames in the aka field. (We’re hoping Geni will provide more fields to help us solve this problem, in the future).
Where the married name is left blank or duplicated with the birth surname the result for those whose preference is for either CAPS or (parentheses) is not a true reflection of the known facts.
So - be aware that if the maiden or birth surname is added to both surname fields, in cases where a 'married surname' exists, then those people who select the preference to either do not display birth surnames (i.e. view married names) or Birth surname appended, in parentheses, do not get an accurate picture. It is therefore preferable not to fill in the Birth Surname in the Last Name/Surname field when a legal 'married name' applies.
The AKA field is searchable. If the married name(s) are not reflected in the AKA field on a woman's profile where only maiden names are used in the surname fields, a search using her married name will have less chance of finding her.
See Preference setting examples illustrated.
See Display Name Options illustrated
Please use the title field only for professional, noble or uncommon honorifics, such as Doctor, Count or Prince. Certain titles are placed after the name and should be placed in the suffix field such as Esquire or Ph.D. Do not use this field for default courtesy titles such as Mr., Signor. etc
See Suffix Options illustrated Scroll down to 2nd part of this document
The Overview/ About field should ideally have some information in it. This information can now be entered in different languages (See Add Language Tab)
Please upload any primary documents associated with the profile, and cite the facts that the document validates (which creates the little document icon you sometimes see on profile view).
A Master Profile is the standard, most comprehensive and accurate profile for a given person. Other profiles for the same person are secondary and should eventually be merged into the Master Profile.
Curators have the ability to designate profiles as Master Profiles. You may request a Curator to MP your profiles in the following circumstances:
When whole profiles are locked, an explanatory Curator note giving the reason will be added.
All Locked fields should be filled in correctly according to RSA Profile Conventions/Guidelines.
If you would like to edit a locked field, please contact the Curator of the profile.
Defer to the Master Profile in Data Conflict Resolutions.
For more info on MPs please see: https://www.geni.com/projects/Geni-Master-Profile/28084
There are a few things that make a big difference to how the tree can be used and shared on GENi
See - Merge Guide Step by Step guidelines to merging duplicate profiles and How to merge profiles on Geni.com Video by Randol Schoenberg
"Please be advised that on the subject of deleting content off other users’ profiles without their permission, Geni is very clear in the Terms of Service: http://www.geni.com/company/terms_of_use Vl. Proprietary Rights in Content.:1. .... If, however, you invite other Members to share your family tree on the Service, or agree to merge your family tree with another Member's family tree on the Service (in either case, a "Shared Family Tree"), then you agree that you will not delete Content in the Shared Family Tree except to correct inaccurate or offensive data. Wilful destruction of Content in a Shared Family Tree without Geni's written permission is a breach of this Agreement and grounds for termination of your Member account."