I like, and am starting to use the Ahnentafel Genealogical Numbering System quite effectively now that my research is beginning to expand past my own limited memory banks however I’ve come to a bit of a problem with aunts and uncles.

Take a section of my family to see my problem - An Ahnentafel pattern is:

No.
1. Myself
2. John C. (my father)
3. Avril (my mother)
4. Harold (my father’s father)
5. Edna (my father’s mother)
6. Stanley (my mother’s father)
7. Violet (my mother’s mother)
8. John (my grandfather’s father)

Now, No. 8 - John - has 7 sons whom I have labelled/numbered 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6, 8.7 respectively and chronologically, oldest first. Fine so far but…

…8.7 is Harold – my number 4 on the Ahentafel. Do I number him 4 or 8.7 ?

Likewise with No. 2 - John C. - He’s Harold’s first son (of 4 kids) so should I number him 8.7.1 or 4.1?

At the moment I’ve given each two numbers. I seem to think I’m messing up two systems here. Can some one help me out?

With thanks,
C. Harding