How to enter names with pre titles and post titles?

WilliamStewart44

I have enough information now to enter fairly accurate information on several of the "Lairds of Blackhall and Ardgowan", descended from Robert III, King of Scots.

For example, there is Sir Archibald Stewart, 14th Laird of Blackhall & Ardgowan.

1. Should I put "Sir" in the title, and "14th Laird of Blackhall & Ardgowan" in the suffix?
2. Alternatively, the "14th" is not really part of his title, it just shows where he is in the lineage. Then should I put just "Laird of Blackhall & Ardgowan" in the suffix, and note he is the 14th in the life sketch?
3. Or, since "Laird" is not a royal title, should I not include that in the suffix or name at all? I lean towards including it, since the family was given charters to land by various kings, and are referred to almost everywhere in the literature as "Laird", defined as "a generic name for the owner of a large, long-established Scottish estate... ranked below a baron and above a gentleman".
4. If the answer is to include "Laird of Blackhall & Ardgowan", then I suggest the suffix, since for this example person I assume "Sir" should be used for the title.

Guidance appreciated.

Sanra

@WilliamStewart44

Thank you for posting your question in the Community about entering titles to names in FamilySearch. We are enclosing an article link from the Help Center about this issue. Click the link below:

https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/article/how-to-enter-names-in-family-tree

Wishing you success in entering titles in Family Tree.

WilliamStewart44

Thanks @Sanra , I had read that article, but it does not really answer the question about the suffix.

That articles refers to suffixes like "Jr.". This is "14th Laird of Blackhall & Ardgowan".

I have noticed that some people are entering this as part of the last name. That does not seem right to me, since this person's last name is "Stewart", that's all.

So I'm not sure where to put the "14th Laird of Blackhall & Ardgowan". Particularly when the title field would already be used, as it probably should be in this case, for the "Sir".

Sanra

Hi William,

We asked for some clarification of this issue, and were advised that Alternate names that are lengthy, such as "14th Laird of Blackhall & Ardgowan" should always be put in the Other Information field. A "title" as part of a name should not be more than a single word. 

Have a wonderful day.

WilliamStewart44

Thanks

Melissa Ann McLaughlin

No - never enter anything other than generational suffixes in the Suffix field of the main name and Title is for Title at birth, such as Princess. It is recommended when it is nobility then places are added under Title of Nobility, such as Earl of Kent. Unfortunately FamilySearch does not have a field for other Honorific titles or professional titles. So we are supposed to use the alternate name field. But, in cases where there are multiple Titles places (as in your example) or Occupational titles that are also surnames (such as Sheriff) this can be problematic in searches and when trying to locate similar people.

In this case you can create a custom event, if there is a date associated with when he became Laird, OR, create a Custom Fact.

This website explains the proper use of the main name field and alternate name fields based on genealogical standards.

https://www.geni.com/projects/Data-Entry-Standards-for-Genealogists-Research/3102

In summary:

• Never use special characters in any name field, e.g., braces, brackets, question marks, parenthesis or equal signs.
• A birth name establishes the identity of an individual in a genealogy database. Enter the name given at birth (or baptism) in the language used at the time of the event (e.g., French, German, Latin, etc.) in the given name field.
• . Enter the surname in the language used at the time of the event in the surname field. The technique of “all caps” is no longer recommended; it could alter the name. Enter the Anglicized name in the alternate name field and explain details in the research notes field. Document the name in the source field.
• . Enter an individual’s birth name in the given name field, even if the person was known by another name all their life, and even if that person is identified on a death record by the more familiar name. Common name and legal name changes belong in alternate names. EXCEPTION TO THIS RULE IN FamilySearch - Family Search has an option for Birth Name in the Alternate name section. Because of this a common name or name legally changed (not married name for women) can be put in the main field with the Birth name in the alternate field.
• . Enter birth right titles, e.g., Prince Charles, in the Title and given name field. Document the name in the source field. In genealogy titles should not be used in the "Given Name field" they belong in the Prefix field.
• Alternate Name Field - below
• Do not use “formerly” or “now” in given name fields or surname fields. Instead, enter alternate names, including nicknames, alternate spellings or surname changes, in the alternate name field.
• Do not include military or professional titles in the given name field; these are earned titles, not part of a birth name.
• Enter religious names in the alternate name field and enter the individual’s birth name in the given name field. Explain this information in the research notes field.
• Regarding earned, professional and honorific titles: Under alternate names with the title in the suffix field or title prefix field (which field depends on the title). Explain titles in the research notes field and document titles in the source field.