Surname in a marriage form type written differenty

eleanorlunaquilantang

Can I still follow the right name from the signature of the groom and/or the bride?

barbaragailsmith1

It's hard to be precise with an answer when we can't see your image. But if a person's name is written in more than one place on the document (that includes a signature) and those names are spelled differently, you would type both versions of the name with "or" between. (i.e. Smith or Smyth) We can't always trust a signature to be the correct spelling. Also, If the married name for each of them is on the document and those are spelled differently, we wouldn't type the version written for the groom in the bride's name field. We only enter the names that are written for each party in that party's name field.

Eleanor, when asking a question you have about a particular batch, it's best to give the link or share batch code with your question. Then the rest of us can pull it up and see what you're seeing. You can either copy and paste the URL at the top of the indexing page (when your batch is open) or you can give the letter/number code that's in brackets at the end of the project title at the top of the indexing page.

Áine Ní Donnghaile

Agree with Barbara that we need to see the record in question to give valid advice.

Another point to consider is that standardized spelling is a very modern concept. And, marriage records are often partially completed by a clerk, minister, or priest, with the couple simply signing their names, something they may not have done often. So you have 2 different sources for the spelling. It's entirely possible neither is "right" or "wrong."

An index is not a record; it is a finding aid. You enter the best information you have to help those looking for that family find the record.