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Last Name Changes

Last Name Changes

Posted: 23 Nov 2014 8:06PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Van Meter Vanmeter Van Metre Vanmetre
I have run into this more that once. Same person different variations of last name - even on documentation. Currently I am looking into the Van Meter, Vanmeter, Van Metre or Vanmetre family.

What document do you use as standard?

Change of name - How do you record both names?

Can you have more than one last name in researching?

Any hints would be helpful.

Thank You,
Jill

Re: Last Name Changes

Posted: 24 Nov 2014 7:01PM GMT
Classification: Query
Edited: 24 Nov 2014 7:03PM GMT
Hi Jill, There are at least two schools of thought:
1. Decide on the most accurate spelling and use it as a standard. Most people adopt this course of action almost unconsciously. A standard spelling for a tree presentation is quite acceptable. Provide for spelling and orthographic variants in an opening notes section below the names.

2. Change nothing, using only archival original surname spellings. This practice has one advantage: that one is not tempted to confuse two independent lineages with one another, a danger of standardization. The advantage is worth remembering even if you elect to standardize names for those people who are inside the family tree, i.e., examine the individuals, case by case, before standardizing the surname. You do not want to include all the strangers whose names merely resemble the standard, but are, in fact, of no connection.

One learns by doing, some one will object to what you do post. I suggest you limit tree posting information to deceased people to protect the privacy of all living people and to avoid annoyance to yourself and others. When in doubt, make a note on what you have done to record why you have standardized. Good luck! Aldo

Re: Last Name Changes

Posted: 24 Nov 2014 11:46PM GMT
Classification: Query
Edited: 24 Nov 2014 11:49PM GMT
I just enter the name on the profile card as an alternate. This way ancestry will include them in searches.

If you also want it to show on the person's timeline, there is an Alias even that you can use.

As to what I chose for the basic name, I will use the current form in the living family as my standard. For example, my husband's last name is Flint. However throughout time it varied between Flynt and Flint. I use Flint for the basic name and Flynt is listed as an alternate for those individuals that used that form.

Keep in mind that a person might spell his own name several different ways in the days before spelling was standardized. There are documents (say wills) where you see two different forms of the name written by the same man.

I don't do this in a rigid sense though. For example, he has a man surnamed Vauchab. He came to the colonies and all his children used Walkup. I left him as his original name and put the changed name for all the children. It wasn't a spelling variation in my opinion but a case of making it more understandable to the people in the colonies.
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