As I understand it, VIAF identities are not intended as one per person. Names change, and people use pseudonyms. Each variation used in an included authority record should make its way to a VIAF ID. One will be the preferred form and the others should eventually link to that one as over time OCLC iterates the refinements to the database.

Corrections in specific cases can be handled via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:VIAF/errors if nothing better is available.

B.T.W. is there still a Wikimedian-in-residence at OCLC? It used to be Maximillian Klein, I believe.

On Dec 12, 2017, at 5:49 AM, Brill Lyle <wp.brilllyle@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi all,

I understand this is probably outside the scope of Wikidata-l, but I am looking for advice in what I am noticing is a somewhat re-occuring issue with VIAF identifiers.

For a lot of items, I am finding 2 or more VIAF numbers for BLP subjects.

Recently I've found up to 4 VIAF numbers:

- https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q45311838

- https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q45311745

Is there coordination between Wikidata and VIAF that is automated and fixes things like this.

I don't want to remove some of these VIAF numbers as they are tied to "legit" authority bodies. I understand there is often a "main" VIAF number...

Thanks in advance for any assistance and/or advice with this.

- Erika

Erika Herzog

Wikipedia User:BrillLyle

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