Merging two different names
I'll start by saying that I fully understand the need to be extremely cautious when merging. Check the sources, check the match etc. So when an immigrant arrives in the U.S. and starts a new life with a new name, I have found that duplicates in the family tree are fairly common. The old German name is dropped and an Anglicized name is taken, for example, and for whatever reason there are two persons in FS. Which name should take precedence after the merge? I have generally assumed that the new name takes precedence since that was the persons desired name at the time. What is right?
Answers
-
FYI
I am just another 'lowly' User/Patron ...
Just in passing ...
As an aside ...
You can include BOTH "Names" together (ie. Birth; &, Anglicized), in the "Vitals" Section, in the "Name" Field.
And, also, separately; as, "Alternate Names", in the "Other Information" Section.
I will send you a 'Message'.
Brett
1 -
Brett, thanks.
I was hoping there might be an "official" standard in genealogy circles. If Johann Gruenwald becomes John Green after arriving in the U.S. and lives out his life as John Green, which was he in fact? It seems to me that his wishes were to be the latter which should be respected. But I am not completely sure. Yes, I do use alternate names and that is fine but I am referring to the primary name of the person. Again, thanks for your response.
0 -
From the Help Center https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/article/how-do-i-enter-my-ancestors-name-if-it-changed
How do I enter my ancestor's name if it changed?
In general, enter the birth name in the Vitals section of the Person page. Enter other names, such as nicknames, in the Other Information section. Legal name changes are an exception.
- For a legal name change, enter the most recent legal name in the Vitals section.
- If the person did not use the legal name in life, you have the option to enter the commonly used name in the Vitals section and the legal name in the Other Information section.
- When record sources do not use the legal name, enter the variations in the Other Information section.
Important: Please do not enter the word "or" in the name field or use parentheses or quote marks.
Related articles
How do I enter a name from a different language into Family Tree?
0 -
The question of what to do with a person's various names is actually independent of merging: whether there are separate profiles or not, you have to decide which name goes in the Vitals box and which one goes under Other. The good news is that you can't lose: either way works, because the matching algorithms use all of a person's names, no matter which section they're in. Really the only difference is that the name in the Vitals box is what is shown in tree views and search results. Therefore, I think that the name in Vitals should be the person's most recognizable name. Of course, there are directly-contradictory rules of thumb about what's most recognizable: birth names (maiden names) are better than married names, but in case of a legal name change (not by marriage), the new name is preferable to the old one. But as I said, you can't go wrong: if at some point you just need to toss a coin, it'll be fine.
1 -
FYI
Honestly ...
Regarding, the "Name", in the "Name" Field, in the "Vitals" Section ...
Apart from, the "Knowledge Articles", in 'FamilySearch':
How should I enter names in Family Tree?
https://www.familysearch.org/en/help/helpcenter/article/how-to-enter-names-in-family-tree
And ...
The aforementioned one ...
How do I enter my ancestor's name if it changed?
As an aside ...
I would humbly venture to suggest, that ...
The "Official" position is, that there is, NO, "Official" Position ...
It can be, WHATEVER, the User/Patron, wants/desires ...
The "Choice" is yours ...
▬ Some like, "Birth" name ...
▬ Some like, the name, "Used" (or, "Known As"), by the individual/person, in "Life" ...
▬ Of course, there can be the name, that was "Legally" CHANGED, through "Deed Poll" ...
And ...
▬ There are some, like myself, who like ALL of the above ...
[ And, include ALL of the above, in the "Name" Field, in the "Vitals" Section ... ]
[ Plus, of course, each one individually; as, "Alternate Names" in the "Other Information" Section ... ]
[ With, an "Explanation", of WHERE, such applies ... in the "Reason This Information Is Correct" ... ]
Again ...
The "Choice" is yours ...
Good Luck.
just my thoughts.
Brett
ps: As previously indicated, I have sent you a 'Message'
..... [ ie. If you have not, check-out, that "Envelope", in the TOP 'Right-Hand-Corner', of a page/screen, in this Forum ]
.
0
