Maiden name vs legal name/married name – need separate fields for each in family search app

LegacyUser

Erika Ozosky said: Need Separate fields in the Family search app to put maiden name and legal name. These should be differentiated for accurate record keeping. Right now it only allows to put one last name and doesn’t specify whether it is maiden name or legal name/married name.

LegacyUser

Brett said: Erika

Firstly, "Welcome" to this "FamilySearch" ( "GetStaisfaction" ) 'Feedback' Forum.

Secondly, "Official 'FamilySearch' Representatives", do monitor; and, sometimes, participate in, this Forum.

Thirdly, I am just another User/Patron, just like yourself (and, happen to be a Member of the Church).

Many Users/Patrons who regularly participate in this Forum who have a great deal of knowledge and experience with "FamilySearch", like to assist/help other Users/Patrons like yourself.

Finally, 'No', "Family Tree" of "FamilySearch", whether, the "Web" version; or, the "Mobile" Application version, DOES NOT need (NEW) separate fields to record the "Maiden" name and "Married" name of an individual/person, presumably, a 'Female'; as, they ALREADY exist.

For 'Females', the "Birth' name should be recorded in the "Name" Field in the "Vitals" Section.

Whereas, for 'Females' who Marry; and, who (decide to) Legally "Change", their "Married" 'Family Name' / 'Surname' to that of their Spouse/Husband; THEN, that "Change" of name to their "Married" name is recorded in the "Other Information" Section, under "Alternate Names", where there is the "Option" of "Married Name".





Here is a "Knowledge Articles" in "FamilySearch" on the matter:

How should I enter names in Family Tree?
https://www.familysearch.org/help/sal...

Where it states:

In the Vitals section, enter the person’s birth name or complete legal name.
• Maiden and married names. If a woman changed her surname after marriage, use her maiden name.
• Legal name changes. If a person changed his or her name legally (other than surname changes after marriage), enter the newer legal name.

I hope this helps.

Brett

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LegacyUser

Brett said: Erika

'Oh' ...

I am sorry ...

And, I forget to mention that, when you use, either, "Search"; or, "Find", when you are looking for someone, "FamilySearch" not only looks at the "Name" in the "Vitals" Section; but, also looks at/for "Alternate Names" in the "Other Information" Section, that are recorded for individuals/persons.

I also believe; but, stand corrected if I am wrong, that "Possible Duplicates" does the same - ie. looks at the "Name" in the "Vitals" Section; and, also looks at/for "Alternate Names" in the "Other Information" Section, that are recorded for individuals/persons.

Brett

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LegacyUser

Juli said: I don't know about the app, but the website clearly says to use the maiden name in Vitals. If you really feel it necessary, you can put the married name(s) under Other, but if you're working in a time and place where married names follow a regular pattern, then married names are redundant. Just attach the husband(s) correctly.

LegacyUser

Jessie Hearle said: The Family Tree Mobile app, as well as the website allow adding alternate names in Other Information
Screenshots from iOS app, Android offers same functionality.

LegacyUser

Erika Ozosky said: Thanks everyone for your replies. I am divorced but my married name is still my legal name. I just started using the Family Search App which is my preference over a website since I use my iPad Pro. The app does not specify ‘vitals’ or instruct to put maiden name in the last name field.

I am posting my perspective as a help and a suggestion to the developers to make it easier for users. I had found the alternate name section but again, the fields could be named differently for clarity and ease of use.

There could still be an ‘alternate name’ field to use when someone goes by a nickname, or a ‘DBA-doing business as’ name, for example. This is what I think of when I see ’alternate name’. A married name is not an alternate name. It is a married or legal name. I think there should be a field for married/legal name as well as another field for maiden name.

When I put my legal last name in the last name field, above it, in grey, it says “married name”. This is why I put my married name there, but again, there is no field for maiden name. I understand the alternate name thing but again, in my opinion, calling it that minimizes the importance of a married or legal name and doesn’t feel right to me. As a suggestion to the developers of the app, there could be clarification such as, ‘alternate name/nickname, then another field for maiden name, and another field for legal name. This would give users more clarity and be much easier to understand. Again this is my opinion and suggestion to the developers of the app. If there is another place to send my suggestions, I would like to. If anyone knows I would appreciate it. Thanks!

LegacyUser

Erika Ozosky said: It isn’t for you to tell me that something does or doesn’t need something. You have your opinion and I have mine. I am using the Family Search app on my iPad Pro and what you are describing is not there. I have made a comment further down that explains my suggestion.

LegacyUser

Erika Ozosky said: I do appreciate you caring to help. In my original post I probably wasn’t clear enough that I was making a suggestion to make it easier for people who are using the app.

LegacyUser

Juli said: In genealogy, one generally uses maiden names only, and how *your* name is entered and displayed is completely and utterly immaterial: nobody besides you can see it. (I don't even have a surname entered on my Family Tree profile.) What other people can see is controlled by your account settings, which have no relation to what's in the Family Tree.

LegacyUser

Erika Ozosky said: That is good to know! It would be nice if that was stated in the app. I appreciate your help!