The suffix Junior and Senior do not automatically include a comma
Comments
-
Lynne VanWagenen said: Different style guides have different rules about using commas with Junior and Senior.
The Chicago Manual of Style, which is the style guide we use, no longer requires commas before the terms Junior and Senior in a name. That's why we do not use them in NFS and the Family Tree.0 -
Heather McPhie said: I'm now realizing that there are also a lot of other suffixes that kind of do require a comma. I have ancestors who were "1st baronet", "knight", etc.
"William Boynton Knight" makes it look like Knight is his last name. "William Boynton, Knight" makes it clear that knight is a suffix added to his name. These suffixes are similar to titles. I wouldn't bother to use them, but it becomes really hard to tell people apart in these families since they all use the same names over and over again. I've resulted to putting the suffix in parenthesis to keep it from looking like part of the surname, but I know that parenthesis can effect the way things qualify for temple work.
I really cannot think of a single suffix that could be added to a name in which a comma wouldn't be appropriate. Without the comma, the suffix looks too much like the last name. There really needs to be a comma to differentiate. I recognize different styles have different rules about commas, but without the commas, the use of a suffix in FamilyTree is really ambiguous.0 -
so I'm still confused do you put the sr or jr after the last name?
0 -
Joyln
I am just another 'lowly' User/Patron ...
There is NOTHING confusing about the 'Suffixes' of "Junior" or "Senior" (and, the like) ...
UNLESS, the 'Suffixes' of "Junior" or "Senior" (and, the like), were/are OFFICIALLY recorded on, a "Birth Registration"; or, a "Baptism/Christening" (for Births PRIOR to 'Civil Registration'), for an individual/person; very simple, DO NOT record them, in the "Vitals" Section under the "Name" field.
Too MANY User/Patrons, have a propensity to ADD, the 'Suffixes' of "Junior" or "Senior" (and, the like), in the "Vitals" Section under the "Name" field, when such are NOT recorded on, a "Birth Registration"; or, a "Baptism/Christening" (for Births PRIOR to 'Civil Registration'), for an individual/person; SIMPLY, usually to distinguish that individual/person; and, their PARENT of the EAXCT Same "Name".
In fact, such is common place among Users/Patrons from the North America.
Such is NOT good practice.
Most of us were NOT born with the 'Suffixes' of "Junior" or "Senior" (and, the like); but, granted, there may be some people that are.
IF, an individual/person USED such 'Suffixes' of "Junior" or "Senior" (and, the like), during their lifetime; but, such 'Suffixes' of "Junior" or "Senior" (and, the like), were/are OFFICIALLY recorded on, a "Birth Registration"; or, a "Baptism/Christening" (for Births PRIOR to 'Civil Registration'); THEN, it is a very simple matter of ADDING such as a "Alternate Name" in the "Other Information" Section.
When one does a search for records for an individual/person where there are "Alternate Names" include the the 'Suffixes' of "Junior" or "Senior" (and, the like), the "System" WILL also search for those "Alternate Names" with such "Suffixes".
There is NO need to include the 'Suffixes' of "Junior" or "Senior" (and, the like), in the "Vitals" Section under the "Name" field.
But ...
That said ...
There MAY be a need to include 'Suffixes' of "Junior" or "Senior" (and, the like); as, an "Alternate Name" in the "Other Information" Section.
Furthermore ...
As to the use of "Commas', with regard to such 'Suffixes' of "Junior" or "Senior" (and, the like) ...
The choice is yours ...
Personally, I ADD a "Comma" at the START of the "Suffix" Field, BEFORE including any RELEVANT 'Suffix', as the case may be (But, generally, only as "Alternate Names"); so that, the "Comma" DOES NOT impact on the ANYTHING in either of the "Name" Fields (ie. "First Names"; or, "Last Names:, sub-fields).
So ...
In a 'nutshell' ...
In the "Name" Field, under the "Vitals" Section, just DO NOT add such 'Suffixes' of "Junior" or "Senior" (and, the like), UNLESS those "Suffixes" were/are OFFICIALLY recorded on, a "Birth Registration"; or, a "Baptism/Christening" (for Births PRIOR to 'Civil Registration'), of an individual/person.
Whereas ...
In the "Alternate Names" field, under the "Other Information" Section, such 'Suffixes' of "Junior" or "Senior" (and, the like) CAN be included, if an individual/person USED such 'Suffixes' during their lifetime; but, as "Alternate Names".
Just my thoughts.
I hope this helps, somewhat.
Brett
0
