We Found my Grandpa's real identity....now what?
After 10 years of research, my sister finally figured out our grandfather's real name. We knew his name wasn't his real name, but now we know that he stole someone else's identity after robbing a bank.
But now I don't know what to do.
I have my very basic record for him with his info "post bank robbery". And there is a very basic record for his "real identity".
I am not sure if I should be doing an "AKA", "Birth Name", or somehow merging the two records.
Does anyone know the correct way to do this? I really appreciate your advice and expertise. Thank you!
Best Answer
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When someone changed or used more than one name during their lifetime it can be confusing to others.
Documenting all names with reason statements to explain why any sources should be attached is very important.
This help article gives some basic ideas for which name to use as the name which displays on charts and the banner on his details page.
Hopefully your discovery leads you to more details about your family.
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Lukehopkin1
It is preferable that you use your grandfather's last legal name. In Other Information, there is a place for Alternate Names where you can list all the other names your grandfather went by. Also, in Life Sketch, you could explain that he was born with one name, then changed his name as an adult. You can explain how he came to change his name and why did he pick that one, if you know. If there are multiple entries for your grandfather, please merge them in to the last legal name.
We wish you the best.
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Thank you!
I guess I am not sure which one to consider his legal name. His birth name was his legal name for almost 30 years, then his second name was his legal name for almost 30 years. He even used his second name to go into the military and get married and it's on his kid's birth certificates. It's how he's buried and everything.
How do we decide which one is his "legal name" ?
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I would use the later name as the main (title) name, and put the earlier name in the Alternate Names field under Birth Name.
Although the circumstances here are a little unusual, name changes in adulthood are not at all unusual and this is how we usually record them on Family Tree.
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You have a very interesting problem. One suggestion is to book an online consultation with a FamilySearch specialist. You can do that for 20 minutes free. Here is more information on how to get help.
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Flip a coin and see how that makes you feel?
But given that it has taken you significant research to find his birth name, I would assume that everyone who is related to him knows him by his later name, right? So I would put that in the Vitals box, and his birth name under Other. (There is even a "birth name" option for the type of alternate name.)
Whichever way you decide, keep in mind that nothing on FamilySearch's Family Tree is set in stone. If you change your mind, you can switch the names around, and everything will be perfectly fine.
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Well, actually. There are at least 2 families involved who have never known each other. So one family knows him by one name, and the other by the other.
I do always feel like once you make a change in FS it is kind of set in stone, so that's a good reminder to not think that way. Thanks
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That's a good idea. Thank you
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I would put his birth name in other, and the second surname as his last legal name. You could explain the name change in Life Sketch so it could be seen right away, plus add the original name in Other Information.
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The problem with the online consultation suggestion is that even one "specialist" might offer different advice from another, on a complicated issue like this! If professional genealogists can't always agree on some issues, I think you will really have to make your own decision. Mine is to give a "vote" to Julia's idea: it might sound as if this is trivialising the issue, but - if pressed - I would probably give you one answer today, but have changed my mind by tomorrow!
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I am sure all genealogists would agree the two profiles should be merged. That's the main thing.
Which name appears on the title is relatively unimportant.
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Hi, lukehopkin1,
You've received some great options and suggestions above. If you are planning on researching his parents and on back, it may help the system locate hints/sources if you use his birth name. Just a thought!
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