CreateMerge

private int CreateMerge(IQueryable<rated> rateds)
        {
            //TODO: If merged, return merged record. Otherwise, flag records for merging and create a new record (NOTE: a negative return value indicated the id of the merge record).
            using (var db = new Entities())
            {
                //For automatic merging, attempt to combine records based on merging rules, if no conflict,
                //then update and re-associate all connected records..
                //TODO: Automatic merging.
                foreach (var rated in rateds)
                {
                    var joinRated = from c in db.rateds
                        join rc in db.rated_contact
                            on c.ratedId equals rc.ratedId
                                    where rc.ratedId == rated.ratedId
                        select new
                        {
                            c.ratedId,
                            c.firstName,
                            c.middleName,
                            c.lastName,
                            rc.contactTypeId,
                            rc.value
                        };



                }
                //For manual merging, create a merge record then associate with all.
                var merge = new rated_merge()
                {
                    timestamp = DateTime.Now
                };
                db.rated_merge.Add(merge);

                foreach (var rated in rateds)
                {
                    rated.rated_merge = merge;
                }

                db.SaveChanges();

                foreach (var rated in rateds)
                {
                    var dbRated = db.rateds.Find(rated.ratedId);
                    dbRated.ratedMergeId = merge.ratedMergeId;
                }

                db.SaveChanges();

                return merge.ratedMergeId;
            }
        }