10
votes
Accepted
How to handle name changes in records?
Name changes are just awkward, and there's no real perfect way to handle them.
The general standard is to record names as they were at birth. For example, in genealogies women are usually recorded ...
- 18.7k
10
votes
Given Name in parenthesis on Cemetery Stones
PolyGeo's answer is correct that the names in parentheses are nicknames. It is quite common to include nicknames in either parentheses or quotation marks, and usually it is more clear than this ...
- 18.7k
6
votes
Given Name in parenthesis on Cemetery Stones
I think the most likely reason for the name in brackets to be considered important enough to place on their headstone would be that it represents the name that they used between them and/or amongst ...
- 11.1k
5
votes
Accepted
Using name numbering for fathers, sons, etc
Not properly. The reason to use the numeral is to distinguish two people with the same name. So if they have different middle names, no need to use the numeral.
The Suffix (name) entry in Wikipedia ...
- 18.7k
5
votes
Accepted
Should suffixes like Jr (Junior) and Sr (Senior) be added to family tree?
The usual standard is to record the name as on the birth certificate. Any embellishments like Sr/Jr would be recorded as a "Known As" data point rather than as part of the person's name.
So, it ...
- 1,370
4
votes
Should suffixes like Jr (Junior) and Sr (Senior) be added to family tree?
You say "in family trees", but I'm wondering if you mean generally in genealogical software products -- this would include those more devoted to family history than just trees. In both scenarios, it ...
- 5,897
4
votes
How to handle name changes in records?
It appears there is no set standard in recording name changes. Some sites offer a special section to add an alias or alternate name, but if you're looking to print-out your family tree (like I am), ...
- 41
4
votes
Accepted
Americanization of Polish names
Keep in mind, in 1885 Poland did not exist as an independent country, and the population was rather mixed between speakers of different languages. On top of this (and partly because of this), people ...
- 743
3
votes
Accepted
Earls and Dukes are Titles, AKAs, Suffixes or something else?
They are titles. Specifically, Duke and Earl are two of the five titles in the British peerage:
The five titles of the peerage, in descending order of precedence, or rank, are: duke, marquess, earl, ...
- 5,165
3
votes
What is the proper way to denote that a person is known by his/her middle name?
So far as I can see, neither the GEDCOM 5.5 nor 5.5.1 specifications have an item that enables one to record which given name is actually used in normal life. That suggests that, with no target to aim ...
- 11.5k
2
votes
Is it OK to use the word "County" in an American place-name?
In general, I would say that there is certainly nothing wrong with using the word county when referencing a US place name. In some cases, it is necessary in order to correctly identify the location. ...
- 863
2
votes
Accepted
No first name on baptism record?
Parish registers in the Church of Scotland tend to be less well organized and structured than their counterparts south of the border in England. Particularly in highland parishes, sometimes no parish ...
- 18.7k
2
votes
What is the proper way to denote that a person is known by his/her middle name?
Whereas a nickname or abbreviated name, might be enclosed in quotes (e.g. Anthony "Tony" Proctor), using a middle name (there may be several to pick from) already has a precedent in Germany. Their "...
- 5,897
2
votes
Americanization of Polish names
I have definitely seen the male name Jno on records. I always thought maybe it was a misspelling, but maybe it is correct. You can search for naturalization records, if doesn’t give original name, ...
- 41
2
votes
What is the proper way to denote that a person is known by his/her middle name?
It is largely a matter of personal preference, but the convention I have sometimes seen used is to include the "unused" first name in parentheses.
For example, for Walter Peter Nobb who was known as ...
- 18.7k
1
vote
Accepted
Norwegian naming conventions
You could try contacting an ex-pat organization like "The Sons of Norway" if you can. Since they often have maintaining culture as part of their mission, explaining recent naming conventions might be ...
- 26
1
vote
Handling nicknames on Ancestry.com?
I had a similar situation in that records for my great grandmother showed up as Mary, Maria, and Marie. I knew her as Mary but in the "First and Middle Name" field I put Maria (Mary) Wilhemina ...
- 143
1
vote
Change birth name or use Also Known As
When I began filling out my tree software (I use Family Tree Maker for the Mac), I used AKA for most of the name variations I found. I found it not to be helpful in tracking those variations. ...
- 2,436
1
vote
What is the proper way to denote that a person is known by his/her middle name?
I agree with the answer of @HarryVervet that how you do this:
is largely a matter of personal preference
For example, the way I do it in Ancestry.com where there are fields for:
First and Middle ...
- 11.1k
1
vote
Duplicate Identities and Persons and Incorrect Records
It is OK to have different dates because really the several records may co-exist. For example, the birth certificate was issued in war time and lost and after the birth date was recorded from the ...
- 638
1
vote
How to handle name changes in records?
I find with married women's names it helps me keep things straight if I always use their birth name with the married name in (). They are already attached to their husband/married name already and ...
- 11
1
vote
Spelling alternatives for polish name "Mushke"
Based on your grandmother's testimonial referring to מושקה, I would assume the name is Moshe/Moses, and that he was known as Moshiko (little Moshe) or a similar Yiddish alternative.
Update:
Oops, that ...
- 429
1
vote
How should I handle French-Canadian "dit" names and variant spellings?
GEDCOM allows multiple names to be recorded, with the "preferred" being first. It also allows each name to be tagged with a clarification like married or aka or immigration. Some of the ...
- 325
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible