Should a child's surname be recorded from it's parents surname
I'm indexing (reviewing) birth records, and the child's surname is not included with his/her first name. The instructions are "Do not assume a surname of others mentioned in the document". Many indexers have included the surname of the parents. Which is the correct method to use, as I do wonder why the child should not have a surname included?
Best Answer
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If the project instructions say not to assume a surname from others, then we don't do it, regardless of how many indexers haven't read the instructions and do assume the surname. We always follow the written project instructions and correct what the indexers have done incorrectly.
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Answers
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Thank you, that has answered my question. I will continue to delete the surname when not indicated for the child.
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I think most of us have at sometime wondered if it's us not understanding something correctly when we see so many others that don't seem to follow the specific project instructions. As for the surnames, the records can be found by the parents' names. Some projects tell us to use the parent's surname for the child and some projects say not to. I think that's one reason why people get it wrong if they don't read the instructions for each project they index.
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It is best to supply a Shared batch code so we can look at the project because some projects DO allow us to use the parent or child's surname in other fields even when not give for any other member of the family. Usually we do not assume surnames but sometimes we do. Depends completely on the project.
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