Recording the REAL names of long losts in FH programmes.

[StewL]

This may sound like a stupid question. But just recently I have finally managed to find information/BC's for some of my long lost grannies.

As we all know, names like Jessie can often be Janets in their BC's. And of course Jeannie/Jane to name but two.

All of these long losts birth names on appear on their BC's and for the rest of their lives, appear as Jessie's for instance.

My query is what should they be entered as in FH programmes, their birth name or the names that appear on other certificates such as MC's and DC's Would it be too confusing to list them as their proper given names, or as they appeared through their lives?

Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

[Kathy]

Hi Stewie,

I have also pondered this question, and long ago decided both names needed to be listed, I usually bracket the "known as" name prior to the surname.

Kathy

[fmackay]

Hi there
I always record all names my rellie was known as, in some cases 3 or 4! but it's handy then for future refernce etc. When I first started tracing my family tree I spent weeks looking for my ggrandmother Jessie only to discover she was christened Janet, a very expensive lesson well learned.
Fiona

[ninatoo]

My Legacy software has an AKA section where surname and christian name variations can be listed.

[LesleyB]

Hi all

My Legacy software has an AKA section where surname and christian name variations can be listed

Ditto!!
Sometimes I do list them with both names though, for instance, Donald McNicol was always referred to (apart form his birth entry & first census ) as Daniel. So I have him listed as:
Donald (Daniel) McNicol and another example - Catherine Smith was called Ketty in early census, (no birth found in OPR) and Catherine when she was older, but to me, because I first "knew" her as Ketty in the 1841 & think of her as such, I have her down as Catherine (Ketty) Smith.

Best wishes
Lesley

[joette]

On my Dad's headstone Ian(John).He was always called Ian but John is on his certificates.He was called Ian at school by his teachers as he refused to answer to John.

[Davie]

Hi all,
I have wee question.
Have any of you family, that use their middle name on records?
I have several.
Even today, my Brother, Neice and Grandchild are known by their middle names.
Davie

[fmackay]

Hi Davie
My father's name was Anson Hugh but he was always known as Hugh perhaps because his father was Anson aswell.
Fiona

[StewL]

Thank you all for your replies.

I use Legacy myself and forgot I had seen an AKA section in the programme. So I will go find it and add them.
Although a bit worried about Legacy, the programme reset itself the other day, I dont think I lost any but unless I am having some senior moments I thought I had entered some long losts, but they weren't there, so I had to re-enter them, not many only a couple of them

I have had Legacy Deluxe since earlier this year but still havent learned about all the bells and whistles yet

Although it may not have been a Legacy issue, during a recent restart windows did something funny

[scml]

Hi StewL, I also use Legacy Deluxe and have had no problem with it. If it did play up, be sure to contact them with the details.

The AKA section is great, and very handy as my Dad, named John has always been known as Jack, and my brother is called by his second name, since my grandfathers death back in 1969 as his second name was the same as my grandfathers. Then my daughters fiancees family call all their children by their second name. And when I think of it........most of my siblings use shortened or similar version of the birth name, Mel for Melissa, Lee for Leonie, Frank for Francis etc

Aren't my decendants lucky I'am documenting it all now