I know your frustration.
So I will suggest two apps that might help you out.
Simple Gallery Pro - Photo Manager & Editor (Browse your memories without any interruptions.) - https://f-droid.org/app/com.simplemobiletools.gallery.pro
https://systweak-android-cleaner.en.uptodown.com/android
The 'cleaner' app above has an excellent duplicate finder.
I used it when my ollady had more than 3GB of photos and videos to go through because of duplicates.
Thanks, I'll check them out. I haven't seen any duplicates yet but I can guarantee they are out there. Hoping it is something that can clean out the actual duplicate and not the original! Just want to move on to the next problem, ha ha....a week on this one is too long!