Ok friends, In helping a missionary, we found a distant grandfather has two different first names. a

Huntley Andy ‘77

Cindy Hecker

Yes merge if it is the same person as each person should have only 1 profile. As far as which name to pick there is some guidance in help articles. Usually you choose the name at birth but sometimes with name changes you choose the one they were most known by. Whichever name you choose make sure the alternate name is listed in other information and make sure you give good reason statements and perhaps add something in the life sketch area to explain any name change that you can tell.

DeborahCarl

Your questions got cut off and I'm not sure why there are two different first names. Check the sources and the Latest Changes to see if you can figure it out.

One name should be in the First Name and Last Name fields. The other name goes under Add Information - Alternate Name.

Brett .

@Huntleyandy Huntleyandy​ 

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Andy

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Just my thoughts ...

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I 'usually' retain the Record that has been in "Family Tree" of 'FamilySearch' the 'longest'; as, the "Surviving" Record; and, thus, the other 'newer' Record is "Deleted" (or, really, "Archived").

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And, as to the "Name" ...

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I 'usually' retain the "Name" that given at "Birth"; as, the "Name" in the "Vitals" Section; and, record ALL other "Names" as "Alternate Names" in the "Other Information" Section.

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Often, other "Names" that appear for individuals/person; even, on "Legal" Documents, are NOT always "Legal" Name Changes.

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IF, there has been a "Legal" Name Change; THEN, that certainly CAN be recorded/changed as, the "Name" in the "Vitals" Section.

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But ...

That said ...

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IF, you do, do the aforementioned; THEN, make certain that you, BOTH:

(1) Document that fact (ie. "Legal" Name Change) in the "Reason Statement";

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(2) Include their "Birth" Name as an "Alternate Names" in the "Other Information" Section

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Here are some "Knowledge Articles" in 'FamilySearch":

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How should I enter names in Family Tree?

https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/how-to-enter-names-in-family-tree

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How do I enter my ancestor's name if it changed?

https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/article/how-do-i-enter-my-ancestors-name-if-it-changed

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I hope this helps.

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Brett

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