Hi all,
I haven't disappeared. Had lots of visitors these past few weeks.
However now back to the tree building!
I'm wondering what is the best way to include the following examples in my tree.
I have a number of children, who on their statutory birth certs have the surname of the mother, no father mentioned and are, of course, illegitimate.
However on censuses they are shown with a different surname. In all cases this is the surname of their father/reputed father. They continue to use the father's surname throughout their life. Seen on their wedding certs and as informants to their mothers deaths. In all cases the mother never marries the father(death certs confirm this)
What is the rule of thumb as to their surnames? Or isn't there any?
Jean
Surnames.....
Moderator: Global Moderators
-
Jean Jeanie
- Global Moderator
- Posts: 1288
- Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2004 6:54 pm
- Location: Stafford West Mids
-
mesklin
- Posts: 325
- Joined: Tue Dec 07, 2004 9:25 pm
Jean
There is a rule in Scotland. And it's not a rule of thumb. It is the Law. Whatever surname you wish to use... you can. The legal experts have stated that they would not presume to tell a person what name they can or cannot use.
Want to use your natural father's name? Fine. no problem. Scots Law is based on common sense.
Mesklin
There is a rule in Scotland. And it's not a rule of thumb. It is the Law. Whatever surname you wish to use... you can. The legal experts have stated that they would not presume to tell a person what name they can or cannot use.
Want to use your natural father's name? Fine. no problem. Scots Law is based on common sense.
Mesklin
-
AnneM
- Global Moderator
- Posts: 1587
- Joined: Sat Dec 11, 2004 6:51 pm
- Location: Aberdeenshire
Hi
I'm with mesklin on this one but on my computer programme usually name them by their original name and then enter the name they used as an alternative, which my programme allows. I find that stops me getting more confused than I usually am!!
Anne
I'm with mesklin on this one but on my computer programme usually name them by their original name and then enter the name they used as an alternative, which my programme allows. I find that stops me getting more confused than I usually am!!
Anne
Anne
Researching M(a)cKenzie, McCammond, McLachlan, Kerr, Assur, Renton, Redpath, Ferguson, Shedden, Also Oswald, Le/assels/Lascelles, Bonning just for starters
Researching M(a)cKenzie, McCammond, McLachlan, Kerr, Assur, Renton, Redpath, Ferguson, Shedden, Also Oswald, Le/assels/Lascelles, Bonning just for starters
-
StewL
- Posts: 1396
- Joined: Sat Dec 11, 2004 12:59 am
- Location: Perth Western Australia
What Mesklin said reminds me of what my later father used to tell me. That under Scottish Law I was legally entitled to use any of the family names as long as it wasnt for illegal purposes. So father was probably right after all 
Stewie
Searching for: Anderson, Balks, Barton, Courtney, Davidson, Downie, Dunlop, Edward, Flucker, Galloway, Graham, Guthrie, Higgins, Laurie, Mathieson, McLean, McLuckie, Miln, Nielson, Payne, Phillips, Porterfield, Stewart, Watson
Searching for: Anderson, Balks, Barton, Courtney, Davidson, Downie, Dunlop, Edward, Flucker, Galloway, Graham, Guthrie, Higgins, Laurie, Mathieson, McLean, McLuckie, Miln, Nielson, Payne, Phillips, Porterfield, Stewart, Watson
-
Jean Jeanie
- Global Moderator
- Posts: 1288
- Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2004 6:54 pm
- Location: Stafford West Mids
Hi AnneM
That is what the problem is! Which name to use in the tree. I have a Miss Fraser who had three kids, all registered as Fraser, then they went on to use their father's surnames. I now have a McLauchlan, Calder and Knox!
If I list them under these names I'll get confused. Again, thinking about it, if Miss Fraser had married each of the men then the chidren's names would be correct!
I have to use Calder and Knox as surnames as they went on to marry under these names and produce Calder and Knox children!
Think I've answered my own question! Use the name they used as that is how their line continues.
Funny, when you start to write it all down, it suddenly makes sense!
Jean
That is what the problem is! Which name to use in the tree. I have a Miss Fraser who had three kids, all registered as Fraser, then they went on to use their father's surnames. I now have a McLauchlan, Calder and Knox!
If I list them under these names I'll get confused. Again, thinking about it, if Miss Fraser had married each of the men then the chidren's names would be correct!
I have to use Calder and Knox as surnames as they went on to marry under these names and produce Calder and Knox children!
Think I've answered my own question! Use the name they used as that is how their line continues.
Funny, when you start to write it all down, it suddenly makes sense!
Jean